“I’ve Got The Power!”

 

Eph 3:8-21; John 1:1-13

 

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

 

able- Greek - ex-is-khoo'-o - to be eminently able, able, to have full strength

comprehend – Greek - kat-al-am-ban'-o  to lay hold of so as to make one's own, to obtain,  

                                                                    attain to, to make one's own, to take into one's self,

                                                                    appropriate. to seize upon, take possession of.

Breadth -  Greek - plat'-os  - suggesting great extent

Length -  Greek - may'-kos  length

Depth - Greek - bath'-os  - depth, height of the sea

Height - Greek - hoop'-sos  - height of measurement of place, heaven

 

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled wth all the fulness of God.

 

Know Greek - ghin-oce'-ko  - to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel

                                                  to become known

love Greek - ag-ah'-pay  - brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

Christ – Greek - khris-tos' 

Passeth – Greek - hoop-er-bal'-lo  - to surpass in throwing, to throw over or beyond any. to

                                                           transcend, surpass, exceed, excel.

Knowledge – Greek - gno'-sis  - knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.

Fullness – Greek – Pleroma - the body of believers, as that which is filled with the presence,

                                                   power, agency, riches of God and of Christ

 

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

 

Exceeding – Greek - hoop-er'  - in behalf of, for the sake of, over, beyond, more than.

Abundantly – Greek - per-is-sos'  - exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, over

                                                            and above, more than is necessary, superadded, exceeding

                                                            abundantly, supremely, something further, more, much

                                                            more than all, more plainly superior, extraordinary, 

                                                            surpassing, uncommon pre-eminence, superiority,

                                                            advantage, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent

 

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

Eph 3:13-19

 

Verses 13-19 The apostle seems to be more anxious lest the believers should be discouraged and faint upon his tribulations, than for what he himself had to bear. He asks for spiritual blessings, which are the best blessings. Strength from the Spirit of God in the inner man; strength in the soul; the strength of faith, to serve God, and to do our duty. If the law of Christ is written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Where his Spirit dwells, there he dwells. We should desire that good affections may be fixed in us. And how desirable to have a fixed sense of the love of God in Christ to our souls! How powerfully the apostle speaks of the love of Christ! The breadth shows its extent to all nations and ranks; the length, that it continues from everlasting to everlasting; the depth, its saving those who are sunk into the depths of sin and misery; the height, its raising them up to heavenly happiness and glory. Those who receive grace for grace from Christ's fulness, may be said to be filled with the fulness of God. Should not this satisfy man? Must he needs fill himself with a thousand trifles, fancying thereby to complete his happiness?

 

Ephesians

 

This epistle was written when St. Paul was a prisoner at Rome. The design appears to be to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ, and to give exalted views of the love of God, and of the dignity and excellence of Christ, fortifying their minds against the scandal of the cross. He shows that they were saved by grace, and that however wretched they once were, they now had equal privileges with the Jews. He encourages them to persevere in their Christian calling, and urges them to walk in a manner becoming their profession, faithfully discharging the general and common duties of religion, and the special duties of particular relations.

 

John 1:1-13

 

1:1 In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.