COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON NUMBER 14
Eph 1:18 "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." (Eph 1:18)
ENLIGHTENED EYES
INTRODUCTION
Contemporary Christianity, for the most part, considers conversion, or becoming a Christian. the primary thing. This is driven by the misconception that the primary work of the church is "winning souls" - a phrase never used in Scripture for the conversion of sinners. Having adopted this stance, once a person is perceived as being "in Christ," they are, for the most part abandoned. In doing this there is a deliberate ignoring of the Divine mandate to "feed" the sheep, or "the flock of God" (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2). The revealed purpose ,of all the gifts Christ has given to the church, including "evangelists," is treated as though it did not even exist: "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry . . . come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God . . . be no more children . . . grow up into Him in all things . . . the whole body fitly framed together . . . maketh increase unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph 4:11-16). By way of comparison, observe how Paul speaks of the Ephesians, who had not only been born again, but were noted for their faith in Christ and love toward all saints. He does not commend them for their decision to obey Christ, but rather informs them that he is praying for them. His prayer does not concern them faithfully winning others, or sharing the good news with others, or increasing their numbers. Whatever may be said in favor of those activities, they cannot be supported by any word addressed to the church. Paul's prayer is raised to God in view of the nature of spiritual life, which he clearly sets within the context of God's purpose. Pointing out the Divine provisions supplied for the saints, he begins to reason on their condition, doing so before the throne of God, and sharing his thoughts with the Ephesians. He does this to alert them to the nature of spiritual life, and what is required to sustain it. There is nothing shallow or juvenile about what he says. In fact any degree of the understanding of his words will require extensive reasoning and effort. Salvation is a very large undertaking, requiring the full time attention of God, the exalted Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the holy angels. Once this is understood, the necessity of his prayer will be clearly seen.
THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Eph 1:18a The eyes of your understanding being enlightened . . ." Other versions read, "the eyes of your heart," NASB "the eyes of your mind," NJB "your hearts," NLT and "eyes of your thought." ABP
THE EYES. A number of the versions leave out the word "eyes," but it is clearly in the text, being translated from the Greek word ovfqalmou.j [ofthalmous], which means "the eye" STRONG'S "the bodily organ for seeing eye." THAYER In a literal sense it refers to the bodily organ by which things are made visible to us. This is done in order to increase our awareness of the environment in which we find ourselves, acquainting us more fully with the temporal realities about us - more so than the ear and touch, by which we are always made aware of material things.
As used here, it has to do with a spiritual faculty that enables us to "see" spiritual realities that cannot be perceived by the senses. By nature these "eyes" are closed, and must be opened by a means outside of the individual. Thus Paul was ordained "open men's eyes" (Acts 26:18), enabling them to perceive the matters relating to God's great salvation.
Fifty-seven times the Gospels refers to the "eye" or the "eyes." The epistles refer to them seventeen times, and to seeing sixty-four times. Obviously, this has to do with a very important facet of spiritual life.
OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING. The older versions associate the word "eyes" with "understanding." Most of the other versions use the word "heart," and a few use the word "mind." There are some disagreements about the Greek word used here, but they are not worthy of our time. The point of the text is the means through which understanding is appropriated. This is also related to comprehension and discernment. This has to do with obtaining the proper perspective, as opposed to merely knowing a technical meaning. It has to do with the scope of truth, or the landscape of the revelation that has been made known through Christ. "The eyes of your understanding" has to do with the effect of seeing, and "the eyes of your heart" has to do with the means through which that understanding is appropriated - the "inner man."
One thing we are going to learn in this discourse is that the redemption that is in Christ Jesus is not characterized by simplicity. Sin has introduced a complex situation. In order to resolve it, God must act in such a manner as will demonstrate His wisdom, all the while acting in strict conformity with His own nature. He cannot compromise His nature. He cannot ignore sin as though it did not exist. A savior must be found that can not only extricate men from the dilemma of sin, but keep them out of sin. The devil's power must be neutralized, and the people made adequate to resist his advances. Wicked principalities and powers must be held at bay. A route out of temptation must be provided. Provision for continual cleansing must be in effect, and be readily available at the moment sin occurs. A way must be made to re-create men, keep them from falling, and make them stand/ God's mercy must be exhibited without negating His wrath. A means must be made for mercy and truth to meet together, and righteousness and peace to kiss each other. A way must be made for man to pass the in-depth scrutiny of God without being condemned. There must also be provision for ongoing change that will be consummated in the people being conformed to the image of God's Son. There must be a righteous means by which mortality can put on immortality, and death be swallowed up by life. Satan must be bruised with a bruise that will cause his final demise. Men must be made righteous without God becoming unrighteous in making them so. These are just a few of the things involved in the salvation of men - and they are all things that must be done.
BEING ENLIGHTENED. Other versions read, "full of light," BBE "give light to," CJB "flooded with light," NLT "lightened," PNT and "receive light." IE
The capacity to see is of no value or utility unless the matter seen is illuminated. An environment of illumination is required for eyes to be enlightened. By saying "the eyes of the understanding being enlightened," the text is affirming that God will show us the things that are to be seen - He will, so to speak, shine the spotlight upon them. The proclamation and exposition of the things of God put them within reach of those who have been given "eyes to see" (Deut 29:4; Matt 13:16). Yet, that is not enough! The people of God need eyes to see, and cannot do without them. There must be a proclamation and exposition of the things to be seem, else there is no need for the eyes.
Here is where the Lord Himself comes into the picture. Salvation does not remove the necessity of Divine working, or the "operation of God" (Col 2:12). He must illuminate, or shed light, upon the thing that is being declared. That, coupled with the appropriate "eyes" constitute the enlightening of the eyes of the understanding. There is something else that must be seen here. What is declared must be something that God is committed to enlighten! It is my persuasion that there is a lot being preached that can never rise above a "dead letter." It is something God will never illuminate, or that man can never truly understand - and even if they so, it will do them no good. The enlightenment of reference mandates that a true message be declared.
THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING
1:18b " . . . ; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling . . ."
Paul now states the objective of his prayer that they might receive from God "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (1:17). He now elaborates on the purpose for opening the eyes of the understanding. It is not in order that they may understand themselves, or their role in the Kingdom, or the world, or why things happen in the world that are difficult to understand. It is not that such knowledge is wrong. Rather, it can only be acquired within the greater understanding of God Himself. As it is written, "For with Thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Psa 36:9). No person can drink the water of life until they have access to the Fountain. No person can "see light," until they are in the Source of light.
There is a phenomenal percentage of professed "Christian" teaching that actually obscures God's truth, and makes it difficult, if not impossible, to acquire the knowledge that is referenced in this text. Skewed teaching has always been the enemy of the church, but it has reached a crescendo in our time that has left the modern church in a state of blindness. It is what they teach that has produced this condition. Behold the difference of the Divine thrust.
THAT YE MAY KNOW. Other versions read, "in order that you may know." NIV Here is the objective Paul is addressing by his prayer that God would give the ephesian brethren the Spirit of wisdom and revelation on the knowledge of Himself. Remember, this is the kind of wisdom and revelation that is fulfilled by the enlightenment of the eyes of the understanding, so that people can reason correctly about the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
If the individual or a church is to live before God successfully, there are some things that must be known. This is not knowledge as in academics. These are matters that have to do with God Himself - "the knowledge of HIM!" It does not center in men, and does not deal with human traits or potential.
If it is true that ignorance alienates a person from the life of God (Eph 4:18), this ought to be abundantly evident within the "Christian: community - yet few professing Christians of our time have even a minuscule acquaintance with this fact.
What does God want His children to know? What is the heart of the matter? Being made in God';s image, men have the ability to understand, comprehend, discern, and intellectually able to grasp truth. This innate ability is made eternally profitable in Christ Jesus, and is intended to prepare men for the future - after they die, or after Jesus comes - one of the two.
THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING. Other versions read, "the hope to which He has called you," NIV and "the hope of his purpose." BBE Notice how Paul refers to the initial involvement of the people with God - "His calling!" That is clearly something He did! He does not refer to "your obedience," "you calling upon the name of the Lord," or anything else believers have done. It is not that those things are unimportant. Rather, Paul is dealing with foundational matters, for that is the kind of knowledge required to ground and mature the people of God.
The people of God are referred to mas "the called" (Rom 1:6; 8:28). Believers are admonished to consider their "calling" (1 Cor 1:26; Eph 4:4; 2 Tim 1:9; Heb 3:1; 2 Pet 1:10). This is not men calling upon the name of the Lord, but the Lord calling men to Himself.
Why did God call you? What was the objective of that call? What purpose intended to be fulfilled by that call? The critical thing to be known is not how many of your needs were met, or many of your desires were answered. There is a place for knowing those things, but it is not a primary place. In salvation, it is imperative to know what God is intending to do in that salvation. Whatever it is, that is why he called you!
When we were begotten by God, it was in order to have a "lively," or "living hope" (1 Pet 1:3). That hope is a "blessed hope" that will be culminated at "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). That is the time when we will "be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is"(1 John 3:1-2). It is when we will be "ever with the Lord" (1 Thess 4:17), and receive "the crown of righteousness" (2 Tim 4:8). That fulfilled hope involves reigning with Christ (2 Tim 2:12), sitting with Him in His throne (Rev 3:21), being praised by God (1 Cor 4:5), and being given the Kingdom (Lk 12:32; Dan 7:18,22,27). The saints will "inherit the earth" (Matt 5:5), and be the very dwelling place of God (Rev 21:3).
This is WHY God called us! It is why He sent preachers to us (Rom 10:15). It is why He gave us ministers (1 Cor 3:5). It has been revealed that "the God of all grace" has "called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Pet 5:10). We have been "called into His Kingdom and glory" (1 Thess 2:12).
To prepare us for this grand objective, He has initially "called" us "into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). We were "called into the grace of Christ" (Gal 1:6), and into "liberty" (Gal 5:13).
However, if these things are not comprehended there will not be sufficient incentive or strength to journey successfully through the world, and obtain the intended glory.
HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS
1:18c " . . . and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."
Notice the priority of God Himself. It is "HIS calling," and "HIS inheritance in the saints." It is essential to comprehend that growing up into Christ, maturing, and being separated from the ranks of the childish absolutely requires an understanding of what God is doing in the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. An ignorant church is a disgrace to Christ, a contradiction of God's revealed purpose, and is fertile soil for the work of the devil.
THE RICHES OF THE GLORY. Paul will again mention this kind of glory in 3:16: "That He would grant you, according to His riches in glory." He states to the Philippians that God shall supply all of their need "according to His riches in glory BY Jesus Christ" (Phil 4:19). To the Colossians he wrote of "the riches of His glory" that was made evident in the "mystery" made known to the Gentiles: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27).
In all of these references God's glory is depicted as a repository out of which the various benefits of salvation are administered. In other words, the glory of God, which is the revelation of Himself, is like a spiritual goldmine in which all of the wealth required for spiritual and heavenly commerce is supplied. This being the case, you can have no more of God than You know of Him. The secret to obtaining more resources from God is to perceive more of His glory. From one point of view, this is being changed by the glory of God. Thus it is written, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18).
Being changed "from glory to glory" involves more of God being in us - which is another view of being conformed to the image of His Son. Just as God breathed the breath of life into Adam, so He puts His glory in the new creation.
That brings us to the consideration of this remarkable verse. However, there is a difference in the focus of this expression. In the others, the saved were the focus of the glory - receiving riches by it, having our need satisfied with it, and being changed by it. But that is not the focus here! We will be required to now look away from ourselves.
HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS. Other versions read, "His glorious inheritance in the saints," NIV "His glorious I inheritance among the saints," NRSV "His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance," NLT "God has been made rich because we who are Christ's have been given to Him." LIVING
While the true meaning is what God receives, some versions grossly distort the passage by focusing on what the saints receive. "the inheritance He has promised His people," CJB "the glorious wealth that God's people will inherit," GWN "the heritage He offers among His holy people," NJB "the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people," CEV "the blessings God has promised His holy people are rich and glorious," ERV and "the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for Christians." MESSAGE
The point these versions miss is that the redeemed people themselves are God's own inheritance. The doctrine of Scriptures makes this quite clear. It is God who "hath reconciled us UNTO HIMSELF by Jesus Christ" - who was in Christ "reconciling the world UNTO HIMSELF" (2 Cor 5:18,19). It is affirmed that we have been "reconciled TO GOD by the death of His Son" (Rom 5:10). God has adopted us "by Jesus Christ UNTO HIMSELF" (Eph 1:5). We are said to have been "redeemed UNTO GOD" (Rev 5:9), and are "the firstfruits UNTO GOD" (Rev 14:4).
Jesus is bringing us "TO GOD" (1 Pet 3:18). We are "made acceptable TO GOD by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5).
In the end, Jesus will deliver up the Kingdom "TO GOD" (1 Cor 15:24). At that time, God will personally take up His abode with the saints, who, in Christ, are now being made a habitation for God (Eph 2:22). As it is written, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev 21:3).
The glory of God's inheritance in the saints is to grand for men to comprehend now. They will be like jewels that have been gathered for Himself (Mal 3:17). In the hand of the Lord, they will be a "royal diadem," displaying His glory from every possible perspective (Isa 62:3).
Once this is seen, or understood in any meaningful measure, the ones perceiving it will make themselves ready for display. They will not live for themselves, but "unto Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Cor 5;15). They will "count it all joy" when they are privileged to suffer for His name (James 1:2). They will be "steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor 15:58) as their future becomes clearer and brighter to them.
God has made men to be motivated by incentives, which are encapsulated in His exceeding great and precious promises. There is no greater contemplation than that of being a trophy of God's grace, put on display for the assembled universe to see. The church is intended to be what God inherits - an inheritance that will bring Him glory, and absolutely no shame!