From the recording Paul the Letter of Ephesians An Intimate Review
Letter of Apostle Paul – Ephesians
An Intimate Review
Pt 4
By Lawrence DeMetrius
In [Eph 3:1, 2] Apostle Paul expounds upon his ministry to Gentile nations. He explains that Yahweh appointed him to proclaim the DISPENSATION of HIS GRACE toward them. [Eph 3:6]
*dispensation Gk #3622 oikonomia (oy-kon-om-ee-ah) it is…
• administration of a household and estate
o household is the people of a house collectively or a family including its servants
o estate is a piece of land, especially one of large extent with an elaborate house on it
• a religious economy
• stewardship which is…
o the position and duties of a STEWARD or one who acts as the surrogate of another by managing their property, financial affairs and estate
o the task of overseeing and protecting something worth caring for and preserving
*grace Gk #5485 charis (khar-ece) it is…
• gratitude and graciousness as gratifying of manner or act
• divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life
In [Eph 3:3, 4] Apostle Paul reiterates that he received clarity of the MYSTERY of Christ by REVELATION from Yahweh.
*mystery Gk #3466 musterion (moos-tay-ree-on) it is a secret through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites
*revelation Gk #602 apokalupsis (ap-ok-al-oop-sis) it is a disclosure
This denotes that the MYSTERY of Jesus Christ comes only by divine IMPOSITION and RITE to those who are called to worship Yahweh through Christ.
[Eph 3:7-12; Acts 9] In [Eph 3:5] Apostle Paul explains that the MYSTERY of Christ was only REVEALED to Yahweh’s scribes and prophets through the Holy Ghost in past AGES.
*ages Gk #1074 genea (ghen-eh-ah) it is a generation or an age with its period and persons
This gives credence to the idea that each GENERATION thinks, believes and lives according to the REVELATION divinely provisioned by Yahweh. Thus, common and cultural perceptions do differ from AGE to AGE.
*revealed Gk #601 apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop-to) it means to take off the cover and disclose
In [Eph 3:5, 6] Apostle Paul notes that in past times, Yahweh winked at certain ignorance regarding HIM. However, in light of the REVELATION of Christ, HE now requires all mortals to change their mode of thought and conduct before HIM. HE now admonishes all mortals to return to their whole duty of worshiping HIM properly through Christ. [Eccl 12:13; Act 17:30. 31] In [Eph 3:16-21] Apostle Paul shares his prayer for the Elect.
1. To be STRENGTHENED with MIGHT by the Holy Ghost in the INNER MAN, according to the riches of Yahweh’s glory. [Eph 3:16]
*strengthened Gk #2901 krataioo (krat-ah-yo-o) it means to empower and increase in vigor, which is…
• active strength and force
• healthy physical or mental energy and power
• vitality, energetic activity and energy
• intensity, active force and force of healthy growth
• effective force, especially legal validity
*might Gk #1411 dunamis (doo-nam-is) it is force, miraculous power and a miracle itself
*inner Gk #2080 eso (es-o) it means inside
*man Gk #444 anthropis (anth-ro-pos) it means man-faced or human being
Christ said that His WORDS are purposed to QUICKEN the INNER PERSON and does nothing for one’s carnal nature. [Jn 6:63]
2. To have Christ DWELLING in their HEARTS by FAITH. [Eph 3:17a]
*dwell Gk #2730 katoiko (kat-oy-keh-o) it means to permanently house and reside
*heart Gk #2588 kardia (kar-dee-ah) it is the heart and figurative of ones thoughts, feelings, mind and middle [Heb 4:12]
*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
• persuasion and credence
• moral conviction of a religious truth, truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
• reliance upon Christ for salvation and constancy of such profession
• the system of religious truth based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Yahweh longs to abide in the HEART of every soul HE extends life to. In fact, the mortal soul is the most sacred place of divine worship on earth. This can be accomplished when the power and influence of sin in the soul is effectively addressed by Christ the Word and the Holy Ghost. [I Jn 3:8; Tit 3:5] Christ knocks at the door of every mortal HEART, anticipating an invitation to come in and PERMANENTLY ABIDE. [Rev 3:20] Those who open their HEART to Him receive the entire TRIUNE GODHEAD. [Jn 14:23] Genuine acceptance of Christ indicates sincere hunger and thirst for divine insight, which Yahweh longs to abundantly grant. [Mt 5:6; 6:11; I Pet 2:2; Heb 12:12-14] Born-again believers are committed to a life of learning and discipline. Therefore, they are lifelong students of Jesus Christ. Those who have no desire to learn, understand and obey His instructions cannot and will not be wholeheartedly devoted to Him. Only HEARTS that are considered good ground will receive and continue in His teaching. [Mt 13:8, 23; Jn 8:31, 32]
3. To be ROOTED and GROUNDED in and able to fully COMPREHEND the LOVE of Jesus Christ that PASSETH all KNOWLEDGE. [Eph 3:17b-19b]
*rooted Gk #4492 rhizoo (hrid-zoo) it means to root and become stable
*grounded Gk #2311 themelioo (them-el-ee-o-o) it means to lay a basis for, erect and consolidate
*comprehend Gk #2638 katalambano (kat-al-am-ban-o) it means to take eagerly, seize and possess
*love Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is divine love, affection, benevolence and a feast celebrating such love
*passeth Gk #5235 huperballo (hoop-er-bal-lo) it means to throw beyond the usual mark and surpass
*knowledge Gk #1108 gnosis (gno-sis) it is knowledge and the act of knowing
This divine gratuity is imparted to those who have become the sons of GOD. [St Jn 1:11-13] LOVE expressed from a mortal to Yahweh is one matter. However, LOVE expressed from Yahweh toward a mortal is altogether another. It is the primary function of Christ and the Holy Ghost to SHOW one the FATHER and TEACH them how to properly worship HIM. [St Mt 11:27-30; St Jn 4:23, 24; 16:13; I Jn 5:20] Without divine intervention of HIS Word and Spirit, one can do nothing to please the FATHER. [Jn 15:5; II Cor 12:9; Phil 4:13] However, obtaining mere KNOWLEDGE of Yahweh and HIS LOVE is just the beginning of new living. [I Cor 12:31; I Cor 13:8c -12] Upon receiving such REVELATION one must express their FAITH in and LOVE for THE LORD in their daily living. [Mt 5:19, 43-48; Jam 2; I Jn 3:14-19; 4:7-21; 5:1-3]
4. To be FILLED with ALL the FULLNESS of Yahweh. [Eph 3:19c]
*filled Gk #4137 pleroo (play-ro-o) it means to…
• make replete, cram as in a net and level up as a hallow
• furnish, imbue, diffuse and influence
• satisfy, execute an office and finish a period or task
• verify or coincide with a prediction
*fullness Gk #4138 pleroma (play-ro-mah) it is…
• repletion and completion
• that which fills with content, supplement, copiousness and multiplies
• that which is filled as a container, performance and period
There is a measure of HIMSELF that Yahweh seeks to FULFILL within each of HIS worshipers. Whatever that measure is one should be willing to do what is necessary to obtain it as did Christ. [Mt 4:1-11; Jam 1:2; I Pet 5:10] Per the definition of FULLNESS, Yahweh is the SOURCE that FILLS HIS CHILDREN. The SUBSTANCE by which HE FILLS them with HIMSELF is HIS Word and Holy Spirit. [Col 2:6-10; Rm 8:28-30] Yahweh is LOVE. [I Jn 4:8a] There is a level of spiritual maturity at which HE perfects HIMSELF within HIS SONS that dispels all FEAR. [I Jn 3:19-21; 4:16-18] FEAR is the ROOT of HATE, which is MURDER in Yahweh’s perspective. [I Jn 3:14, 15] The FEARFUL are the first of those per Apostle John to inherit the Second Death. [Rev 21:8] Yahweh must establish mature LOVE in HIS Elect, so they can live a life of righteousness and be as was Christ in their allotted generation. [Rm 8:29; I Jn 4:17b] In [Eph 3:20, 21] Apostle Paul speaks a benediction over the Elect which includes two key points.
1. Yahweh is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all they can ask or think. However, it is according to the divine POWER that WORKETH in them. That POWER is the FAITH imparted unto them by Christ and the Holy Ghost. Where there is no impartation of Yahweh’s WORD and SPIRIT, there is no manifestation of HIS ability to do exceedingly abundantly above all one can ask or think.
2. The CHURCH can only render proper GLORY unto Yahweh through Christ Jesus throughout all AGES and world without end. [Mt 5:14-16; Jn 15:5]
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