In this sermon on Ephesians 1:18 titled "The Hope of His Calling," Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds this great prayer of Paul and carefully navigates between the general call of God in the gospel for all and the effectual call of the Holy Spirit for believers. 4:18; 2Co 2:14), and touch (Acts 17:27). 20:27) (Deut. This is why Paul prayed for the eyes of their hearts to really understand these truths. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The perfect tense speaks of an enlightenment that has occurred at a point in time and which persists. Vine comments - Eido/oida, to know, suggests intelligent perception, in contrast to ginsk which indicates progressive knowledge. The church is Christs body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural. He also helped found Fuller Seminary in 1947 and worked ceaselessly for Christ until his death in 1968. The living family of God want a living Saviour, one who can hear and answer prayer, deliver out of soul-trouble, speak a word with power to the heart when bowed down with grief and sorrow, sympathise with them under powerful temptations, support them under the trials and afflictions of the way, maintain under a thousand discouragements His own life in their soul, sustain under bereavements the mourning widow, and be a father to her fatherless children; appear again and again in providence as a friend that loveth at all times and a brother born for adversity, smile upon them in death, and comforting them with His rod and staff as they walk through the valley of its dark shadow, land them at last safely in a happy eternity. Isaiah 46:911is the cornerstone passage that removes all doubt aboutGods sovereignty. View (1) is probably the more valid interpretation although both views are taught in Scripture and the Greek text does allow for both interpretations. Sometimes familiarly with the glorious superlatives of our heavenly calling, and the eternal hope of glory that is set before us, causes our eyes to become dimmed and our hearts to become complacent. Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural. He knows that future hope has the potential to motivate us to present obedience. Some commentators see His inheritance as a reference to believers, who are Gods inheritance or special possession (Eph 1:14). Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. This certainty is provided in Jesus Christ. Paul previously prays that the Ephesians would understand the hope, or certainty, of their calling and future inheritance (Ephesians 1:18). 1:19). 12:2) by filling you with the knowledge of [Gods] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Col. 1:9). It is kept for us, and we are kept for it. (1Jn 5:13+), Comment: A T Robertson writes that eidomeans "to know with settled intuitive knowledge. But while countless people place, or rather misplace, their faith in the transforming power of subliminal messages, living faith in Jesus Christ cannot fail to do its transforming work. But heaven seems so far away, you say. Malachi The only aim of the life is that the Son of God may be manifested, and all dictation to God vanishes. Open the compasses of your faith to measure this measureless abyss; and then marvel at the power which bore your Lord across it, and know that that same power is towards you, if you believe, waiting to do as much for you in your daily experience if you will but let it have its blessed way. Its certainly not because of the power of the believer, but the power of God. Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, Psalms 121:3, Philippians 4:19, James 1:17, Ephesians 1:3, Revelation 21:9, Romans 8:21-26, . Ephesians 1:17-18 17 But I do more than thank. On the other hand, in the OT the hope of the righteous is directed toward the eternal God who will protect and ultimately deliver if not now, certainly in the future. (Joshua 1:3+) In short, we need to lay hold of the power that resides within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is praying that God would give the saints a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the true knowledge of Him. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:16). He chose them, and set his love upon them. The Kleronomos is one who has been given a kleros, the inheritor. You have given us freedom, hallelujah Do we not remember that glorious hour when He carried our hearts by storm? Jude Philemon After Jonah was back on dry land, the word of the Lord came to him again with the same call, giving him another chance to obey. This is the curse of Christian living. Lesson 10: What God Wants You to Know (Ephesians 1:18-19) . Though lifting our troubles and needs to God is both acceptable and important, we should never forget to express our thankfulness, jubilance, and praise to Him in prayer. Nothing less than omnipotence can save a soul; and omnipotence at its very best in the glorification of Christ is none too great for the salvation of a sinner. His inheritance is in His saints. Luke 24:45+ Then He (JESUS) opened (dianoigo) their minds (nous) to understand the Scriptures. To ask God for more power is an affront to His gracious love which already has provided us everything. - see related discussion - A Spirit Filled Church]The Church that multiplies committees and neglects prayer may be fussy, noisy, entertaining and enterprising, but it labours in vain and spends its strength for naught. The Christian Church is precious to God. 15:56). Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Clem. Acts 16:14+ A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened (dianoigo) her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. . Peering around, he studied Rader. 1:5). This hope is of the perfection of all, which we are called to enjoy really, but imperfectly, here. Hope gives us the assurance that we are going toward something better than this present life. 15-19Thats why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldnt stop thanking God for youevery time I prayed, Id think of you and give thanks. Prior to start Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 Free Download, ensure the availability of the below listed system specifications. Now back to Paul's prayer, the point is that when the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual eyes of the heart of Paul's readers, they will be able to perceive and to know these great truths intuitively with a positive knowledge beyond a chance of a doubt. This thought is too great to fully comprehend in this life! Paul says this enlightenment is abiding and permanent state (See previous noteon what this means regarding the translation). 2:9f; 28:20, 22; 30:4; 2 Sam. Romans It is only as God's Spirit illuminates our mind that we actually can truly know the spiritual truth He wants us to know. The Christian needs supernatural power, and God would have us see how great is His power to accomplish His purposes in us. It will be too depressing, we say to ourselves. In Ephesians 1:314 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you. Not a stain on its pure robes; not a freckle on its leaves; not a taint of miasma on its atmosphere. And not just for the time being, but forever. 1:19). God intends that His work be accomplished by His power. Rather, if we are the called according to Gods purpose, then we know that He is actively working all things together for our good, both in time and in eternity (Rom. - Now, I want to ask you a question: Are you sitting in this auditorium, this morning, or are you sitting in heavenly places? (Ephesians 1:19) We are bidden to follow our Master in his up ward track, and to sit with Him, in daily happy experience, where He is already seated at the right hand of God. That ye may know what is the hope of His calling Eph. Therefore, whereas the hope that was produced by his calling looked back to the past, his inheritance in the saints will be fully realized in Christs coming to get his saints." Click for additional discussion on some of the aspects of the hope of this calling. Hope for believers is not the worlds wishful thinking, but the absolute certainty that God will make true what he has promised. How blessed is God! (Click to read more about your inheritance in Spurgeon's Sermon A Wise Desire based on Ps 47:4). The possessive pronoun shows that it is Gods inheritance.Because of His choosing, redeeming, adopting, and sealing us, we are his possession. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. Prayer meetings that support only one aspect of prayer are imbalanced and can quickly be awash in negativity. (Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Energeia - 7v -Eph. We belong to Somebody. Since land was divided by lot, probably in the framework of common use of the fields, kleros came to mean a share, land received by lot, plot of land, and finally inheritance. It is power which is able to overcome resistance. Even the best Christians need to be prayed for: and while we hear of the welfare of Christian friends, we should pray for them. In that verse protected means to keep or guard and reflects Peters confidence that salvation is inviolable. Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for greater spiritual enlightenment and a clearer understanding of your security in Christ. 15.110; Sib. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) (Ref), Wiersbe - He is talking about divine dynamic, eternal energy, available to us! (Drawing Near: Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith). What was Davids response to Gods power (v. 13)? 7:35; 2 Ki. The inner man can see (Ps. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Ephesians 1:18-19 In-Context 16 I couldn't stop thanking God for you - every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul provided a wonderful starting point. Isnt that something? I never heard such a sermon in all my lifeEphesians 1:18. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey, Lehman Strauss Commentary Devotional Studies on Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook, 2002 Edition, Ephesians MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Ephesians 1:15-23 Possessing the Possessions in Christ, The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian, Brown, Colin, Editor. It is a powerful work, past, present, and future: Gods power was evident in their conversion, Gods power is evident in their endurance, and Gods power will be evident in their resurrection. So that (1519) (eis) conveys the primary idea of motion into any place or thing figuratively as here speaks of the purpose for the Ephesian saints having been enlightened. The devil hopes you don't understand this. (Eph 1:18ESV) Notice how this rendering places the emphasis on God as the One Who "inherits"! Thus we know that He will fulfill all of His promises to us. I agree that this is Pauls main aim. Energeia describes Gods power in raising Christ, Paul instructing the Colossian saints that they have "been buried with Him (Christ) in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the (supernatural) working (energeia) of God, Who raised Him from the dead (Note well - Paul says the Holy Spirit is God and He was the the One Who "raised Jesus from the dead" - Ro 8:11+) " (Col 2:12+). This is the same mighty power, NLT: I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe Him. After addressing the role and example of Gods power inEphesians 1:114, Paul then informs the Ephesians that he gives thanks for them and their faith (verses 1516). But I do more than thank. We will be perfect in righteousness and in love for God and one another. All believers have been called by grace, out of darkness into His glorious light. --DJD. Ephesians 1:18 M:BCL - your eyes focused and | Biblia He bought the world to get you. And not just for the time being, but. (John 13:7). As you pray and study Gods Word, He transforms and renews your mind (Rom. And this is God's message to thee, O Christian soul! Setup Type: Offline Installer / Full Standalone Setup. Our Lord never dictated to His Father, and we are not here to dictate to God; we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. The other day, when travelling in Scotland, I was introduced to some farmers whose soil was naturally of the poorest description; and yet, in answer to my inquiries, I found that they were able to raise crops of considerable weight and value. This expression was often used metaphorically for faith (Pss. Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the Spirits transforming work within you. Amen. New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce writes (The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians [Eerdmans], p. 270), That God should set such high value on a community of sinners, rescued from perdition and still bearing too many traces of their former state, might well seem incredible were it not made clear that he sees them in Christ, as from the beginning he chose them in Christ., Why did God do this? What power! Modern maps containing the results Of the explorations of Livingstone, Stanley, Burton, tell another story of river, Savannah, tableland, and of myriads of inhabitants. There could be no more, and it is foolish and presumptuous to ask for more. Most uses are figurative. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But Ephesians emphasizes God's inheritance in the saints. Now, I'm no longer bound by sin and darkness Look at our Lords body in the tomb. This is the miraculous power each believer has experienced at the moment of salvation and surely there is no greater manifestation of God's power than this. Know (1492) (eido, oida - eido is used only in the perfect tense = oida) means in general to know by perception. Paul asks that the blessing imparted by God the Father ( Eph 1:3 ) to the Ephesians will be strengthened in them through the message of the gospel ( Eph 1:13 , 17 - 19 ). As Fuller listened, he suddenly recognized his own spiritual blindness. He said, "It's not like you to be shy." (Ibid). So he should not be judging Adam who shows concern for his unborn child. Our faith in Christ did not originate with our feeble will, but with the sovereign, eternal will of God. Note that all three clauses (hope, inheritance, power) are linked to the verb "will know". Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 18, 2019 (message contributor) . Pauls request for them to know God was within proper bounds because their hearts had been enlightened (the Greek perfect tense indicates past action with continuing results), as discussed in verses 314, especially Eph 1:79 (previous note from Hoehner's discussion in Bible Knowledge Commentary) (Ed Note: Hoehner goes into greater detail regarding six ways this passage could be taken in hisEphesians: An Exegetical Commentary), Lehman Strauss-The prayer continues: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened (1:18). Ephesians 1:16-18 by Wayne Barber | Precept Austin There are at least six ways that God wants us as believers to know the surpassing greatness of His power toward us: Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Gods Ultimate Purpose [Baker], pp. Do believers really have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:1920)? The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. 6:4; Heb. Spiritual enlightenment doesnt come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through Gods Holy Spirit. Thats too tedious, and besides, we think that were smart enough to figure this out without reading the directions. 20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And may I know the riches of my glorious inheritance that is awaiting me and all who trust in Jesus as Saviour. In hours of weakness they drew on God's power; in those of suffering, on his patience; in those of misunderstanding and hatred, on his vindication; in those of apparent defeat and despair, on the promises that gleam over the smoke of the battle, as the Cross before the gaze of Constantine; in death itself, on the life and immortality which find their home in the being of Jehovah. Such enlightenment is crucial because how you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live. Paul Rader, former wrestler and boxer, became one of the most powerful evangelists of the early 20th century. That having the eyes of your heart enlightened. A marvellous lift was there! KJV And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! ", Philippians 1:6 says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He has called us to perfection in the likeness of Jesus Christ (Rom. What does this "working of the strength of His might" look like? The proper exercise of this power requires continuous faith in Christ, just as we believed in Him at conversion. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened (Ephes. When we really grasp this amazing truth, all we can do is worship and glorify our precious Saviour and occupy our time, redeeming the days as we wait expectantly for His blessed appearing. He wishes this knowledge of God would impact the minds and hearts of every child of God. The heart is the seat of emotions in some cultures, but in the Greek culture it was not. Exodus 28:1). ", Revelation 7:12 (note) saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul reminded them, Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1 Thess. This marvelous faculty of spiritual sight is lacking in the unregenerated man. Its in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home freesigned, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, you cant separate the two, because when your eyes are enlightened to know objectively all that God has promised to give you in Christ, it fills you with hope subjectively in your heart. 1 Chronicles The knowledge that Paul is praying for includes an intellectual grasp of the truth, but it also grips our emotions and brings our will into greater submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. WithoutGodspower, these things would not be possible (seeLuke 18:2627). (cf Dt 32:9+) And thats what we are. Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. And what a blessing he is! Paul is "struggling" to say what cannot be said. 1:31; 2:10, 19, 21; 3:1; 10:13, 33; 11:2; 23:4, 11; 28:6; 29:2; 30:15; 33:11, 13; 37:3; 40:9f, 26, 29, 31; 41:1; 42:13; 44:12; 45:1; 47:5, 9; 49:4f, 26; 51:9; 52:1; 58:1; 61:6; 62:8; 63:1, 15; Jer. What prerogatives did David attribute to God (vv. But His riches are not in the universes that He possesses, nor in the substance of the earth that is His, but in the saints that He purchased at infinite cost, namely, the precious blood of His only begotten Son (I Pet. And they became thine in fact, when thou wast born at the foot of the cross. He makes a circuit of its bounds; he ascends its loftiest hills; he crosses and recrosses it, that he may know all that has come into his ownership. But we must see to it that we keep nothing back. But when Adam sinned, he inadvertently handed it over to Satan. In Jerusalem, on the hill of Calvary, the Jewish and Roman leaders successfully killed Jesus Christ, the Messiah (John 19:30). But Jesus came to buy the world back. What we can get from God rather than what we can be to God is our continued concern. WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS: tis o ploutos tes doxes tes kleronomias autou en tois hagiois: There are two ways to interpret "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (1) The saints are His inheritance He considers a treasure of incomparable worth! But I do more than thank. I think the needle is broken, I told him. What kind of riches are you looking for? Zephaniah I pray that you may know the surpassing greatness of [Gods] power toward us who believe (Eph. Mighty strength in our inner being, "through His Spirit" (Ephesians 3:16-note). Eph. You have given us freedom (You set us free), I have resurrection power living on the inside (You set us free) It is these riches that we must seek, enjoy, and use to glorify their sourceour heavenly Father.Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (Ephesians 1:15-23 Possessing the Possessions in Christ). Heavenly Father, I pray that my heart would be flooded with the marvellous light of the gospel of grace. The present glories of the ascended Christ are glories possessed by a Man, and, that being so, they are available as evidences and measures of the power which works in believing souls. If not, why not? Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the security of your salvation. 4:18 = hardness of heart; Eph. Is she supposed to do something about this? Nehemiah Ephesians 1:18 I. He is powerless to apprehend spiritual things. It is exclusively a Pauline word used only to describe superhuman or supernatural power, whether of God or of the devil. The better we truly know the "hope of His calling", Start for FREE. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1Cor. One day our Lord will come again, and we shall all be changed to see Him as He is and to be like Him. 1:19). When an emigrant first receives the title-deeds of the broad lands made over to him in the far West, he has no conception, as he descends the steps of the Government office and passes into the crowd, of all that has been conveyed to him in the schedule of parchment. Gods specific call to service usually begins with a burden for a particular need that relates to the kingdom of God. I want this day to be as a thousand years for you. I make the best my goal; He reminded us of the motivation behind prayercommunicating with the One who is in control of all things. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35+); empowered by the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:16+, Lk 4:14+); filled with and led by the Holy Spirit (Mt 4:1+, Lk 4:1+). Usually ischus denotes power, might, strength, ability. Ancient understanding is often linked to other kinds of power or authority (e.g., dunamis, exousia; cf. If I were to put you in a barrel and put that barrel in the Mississippi River, where would you be? Here he prays that we will know the riches of its glory. Jesus, You have given us freedom ESV having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. In, on, among.