Ephesians 1:18
I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
the eyes of your heart
In the ancient world, the heart was considered the center of not only emotions but also intellect and will. The Greek word for "heart" is "kardia," which encompasses the mind and inner self. Paul is praying for a spiritual awakening, a divine illumination that transcends mere intellectual understanding. The "eyes" symbolize perception and insight, suggesting that true comprehension of spiritual truths requires more than just physical sight; it requires a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.

may be enlightened
The Greek word "photizo" means to illuminate or bring to light. This enlightenment is not self-generated but is a divine act of God, opening the believer's understanding to spiritual realities. Historically, enlightenment has been associated with wisdom and revelation, a theme prevalent in Jewish wisdom literature. Paul desires that believers experience a deeper revelation of God's truth, moving beyond surface-level knowledge to profound spiritual insight.

so that you may know
The Greek word "oida" implies a fullness of knowledge, an intimate understanding that comes from experience and relationship. This is not mere intellectual assent but a deep, personal acquaintance with the truths of God. In the scriptural context, knowing God is often equated with being in a covenant relationship with Him, reflecting a bond that is both personal and communal.

the hope of His calling
"Hope" in Greek is "elpis," which signifies a confident expectation. This hope is not wishful thinking but a firm assurance rooted in God's promises. "His calling" refers to the divine invitation to salvation and a life of holiness. Historically, God's calling has been a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing God's initiative in drawing people to Himself. This hope is anchored in the certainty of God's faithfulness and the future fulfillment of His promises.

the riches of His glorious inheritance
The term "riches" (Greek "ploutos") conveys abundance and wealth, while "glorious" (Greek "doxa") refers to the splendor and majesty of God. This inheritance is not material but spiritual, encompassing the fullness of salvation and eternal life. In the biblical context, inheritance often refers to the blessings and promises given to God's people. Paul emphasizes the lavishness of God's grace and the immeasurable value of what believers receive in Christ.

in the saints
The term "saints" (Greek "hagios") means "holy ones" and refers to all believers who are set apart for God. This phrase underscores the communal aspect of the inheritance, highlighting that it is shared among all who are in Christ. Historically, the concept of being set apart for God has roots in the Old Testament, where Israel was called to be a holy nation. In the New Testament, this calling is extended to all who are in Christ, emphasizing the unity and collective identity of the Church as God's people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, writing to the church in Ephesus to encourage and instruct them in their faith.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for its temple to Artemis and a significant early Christian community.

3. The Saints
Refers to the believers in Ephesus and, by extension, all Christians who are set apart for God.
Teaching Points
Enlightenment of the Heart
The "eyes of your heart" is a metaphor for spiritual understanding. Pray for God to open your heart to His truths.

Hope of His Calling
Reflect on the hope that comes from being called by God. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on God's promises.

Riches of His Glorious Inheritance
Consider the value and richness of the inheritance we have in Christ. This inheritance is both present and future, impacting how we live today.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight
Follow Paul's example by praying for others to gain spiritual insight and understanding. This is crucial for growth in faith.

Living with Eternal Perspective
Let the knowledge of your inheritance and calling shape your daily decisions and priorities, focusing on eternal rather than temporary gains.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean for the "eyes of your heart" to be enlightened, and how can you seek this enlightenment in your daily life?

2. How does understanding the "hope of His calling" influence your perspective on current challenges or uncertainties?

3. In what ways can you remind yourself of the "riches of His glorious inheritance" when facing discouragement or doubt?

4. How can you incorporate Paul's prayer for spiritual insight into your own prayer life for yourself and others?

5. Reflect on a situation where having an eternal perspective could change your approach or attitude. How can you apply this perspective practically?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Colossians 1:9-12
Paul similarly prays for the Colossians to be filled with knowledge and spiritual wisdom, highlighting the importance of understanding God's will.

1 Peter 1:3-4
Peter speaks of a living hope and an inheritance that is imperishable, connecting to the hope and inheritance mentioned in Ephesians 1:18.

2 Corinthians 4:6
Paul talks about God shining light into our hearts, paralleling the enlightenment of the heart in Ephesians 1:18.
God's Inheritance in the SaintsAlexander MaclarenEphesians 1:18
The Connection Between the Heart and the IntellectT. Croskery Ephesians 1:18
The Hope of God's CallingT. Croskery Ephesians 1:18
The Hope of the CallingAlexander MaclarenEphesians 1:18
The Knowledge of God and its OutletsT. Croskery Ephesians 1:18
The Riches of the Glory of God's InheritanceT. Croskery Ephesians 1:18
Apostolic PhilanthropyD. Thomas Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul's First Prayer for the EphesiansR.M. Edgar Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer for the EphesiansR. Finlayson Ephesians 1:15-23
God's InheritanceM. Rainsford, B. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
God's Inheritance in His SaintsS. Martin, D. D.Ephesians 1:17-19
Growth in Spiritual KnowledgeA. J. Parry.Ephesians 1:17-19
Spiritual EnlightenmentF. F. Trench.Ephesians 1:17-19
Spiritual EnlightenmentR. S. Candlish, D. D.Ephesians 1:17-19
Spiritual Eye Salve; Or, the Benefit of IlluminationT. Manton, D. D.Ephesians 1:17-19
Spiritual KnowledgeW.F. Adeney Ephesians 1:17-19
The Eye Open to Spiritual ThingsPaul Bayne.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Eyes of the UnderstandingM. Rainsford. B. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Eyes of UnderstandingEphesians 1:17-19
The Hope of His CallingM. Rainsford, B. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Hope of His CallingR. J. McGhee, M. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Presence of the Holy Ghost in the SoulW. H. Hutchings, M. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Seat of the Spiritual EyeC. H. Spurgeon.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Spirit of WisdomPaul Bayne.Ephesians 1:17-19
The Three WhatsC. H. Spurgeon.Ephesians 1:17-19
Universal Need of EnlightenmentC. H. Spurgeon.Ephesians 1:17-19
We are Nothing Without God's Wisdom in UsMrs. Prosser.Ephesians 1:17-19
What Young Believers Require to ReceiveA. F. Muir, M. A.Ephesians 1:17-19
Worldly Wisdom WorthlessAuthor of, The Harvest of a Quiet EyeEphesians 1:17-19
People
Ephesians, Paul
Places
Ephesus
Topics
Calling, Enlightened, Full, Glorious, Glory, God's, Heart, Hearts, Heritage, Hope, Inheritance, Inspires, Order, Purpose, Riches, Saints, Understanding, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ephesians 1:18

     4836   light, and people of God
     5135   blindness, spiritual
     5149   eyes
     6620   calling
     7120   Christians
     7155   saints
     8261   generosity, God's
     8271   holiness, purpose
     8330   receptiveness
     8419   enlightenment
     8813   riches, spiritual
     9413   heaven, inheritance
     9613   hope, as confidence

Ephesians 1:15-19

     5109   Paul, apostle

Ephesians 1:15-21

     8611   prayer, for others

Ephesians 1:16-21

     8619   prayer, in church

Ephesians 1:17-18

     1445   revelation, responses
     3248   Holy Spirit, conviction
     4018   life, spiritual
     5904   maturity, spiritual
     8355   understanding
     8443   growth

Ephesians 1:17-19

     7027   church, purpose
     8348   spiritual growth, nature of
     8351   teachableness

Ephesians 1:18-19

     5017   heart, renewal
     8281   insight
     9615   hope, results of

Ephesians 1:18-20

     4035   abundance
     9312   resurrection, significance of Christ's

Ephesians 1:18-21

     1105   God, power of
     9311   resurrection, of Christ

Library
The True Christian Life
TEXT: "My beloved is mine, and I am his."--Sol. Song 2:16. "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine."--Sol. Song 6:3. "I am my beloved's and his desire is toward me."--Sol. Song 7:10. These three texts should be read together, and the significant change found in each text as the thought unfolds should be studied carefully. They remind one of three mountain peaks one rising higher than the other until the third is lifted into the very heavens. Indeed, if one should live in the spirit of this
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Saints and Faithful
'The saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus.'--Eph. i. 1. That is Paul's way of describing a church. There were plenty of very imperfect Christians in the community at Ephesus and in the other Asiatic churches to which this letter went. As we know, there were heretics amongst them, and many others to whom the designation of 'holy' seemed inapplicable. But Paul classes them all under one category, and describes the whole body of believing people by these two words, which must
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Earnest and the Inheritance
'The earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.'--Eph. i. 14. I have dealt with a portion of this verse in conjunction with the fragment of another in this chapter. I tried to show you how much the idea of the mutual possession of God by the believing soul, and of the believing soul by God, was present to the Apostle's thoughts in this context. These two ideas are brought into close juxtaposition in the verse before us, for, as you will see if you use the Revised
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Hope of the Calling
'That ye may know what is the hope of His calling.'--Eph. i. 18. A man's prayers for others are a very fair thermometer of his own religious condition. What he asks for them will largely indicate what he thinks best for himself; and how he asks it will show the firmness of his own faith and the fervour of his own feeling. There is nothing colder than the intercession of a cold Christian; and, on the other hand, in no part of the fervid Apostle Paul's writings do his words come more winged and fast,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

God's Inheritance in the Saints
'That ye may know what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.'--Eph. i. 18. The misery of Hope is that it so often owes its materials to the strength of our desires or to the activity of our imagination. But when mere wishes or fancies spin the thread, Hope cannot weave a lasting fabric. And so one of the old prophets, in speaking of the delusive hopes of man, says that they are like 'spiders' webs,' and 'shall not become garments.' Paul, then, having been asking for these
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

'All Spiritual Blessings'
'Blessed be God ... who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.'--Eph. i. 3. It is very characteristic of Paul's impetuous fervour and exuberant faith that he begins this letter with a doxology, and plunges at once into the very heart of his theme. Colder natures reach such heights by slow degrees. He gains them at a bound, or rather, he dwells there always. Put a pen into his hand, and it is like tapping a blast furnace; and out rushes a fiery stream at white
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

'According To' --II.
'According to the riches of His grace.'--Eph. i. 7. We have seen, in a previous sermon, that a characteristic note of this letter is the frequent occurrence of that phrase 'according to.' I also then pointed out that it was employed in two different directions. One class of passages, with which I then tried to deal, used it to compare the divine purpose in our salvation with the historical process of the salvation. The type of that class of reference is found in a verse just before my text, 'according
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

God's Inheritance and Ours
'In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, ... the earnest of our inheritance.'--Eph. i. 11, 14. A dewdrop twinkles into green and gold as the sunlight falls on it. A diamond flashes many colours as its facets catch the light. So, in this context, the Apostle seems to be haunted with that thought of 'inheriting' and 'inheritance,' and he recurs to it several times, but sets it at different angles, and it flashes back different beauties of radiance. For the words, which I have wrenched from their
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Measure of Immeasurable Power
That ye may know ... what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ.'--Eph. i. 19, 20. 'The riches of the glory of the inheritance' will sometimes quench rather than stimulate hope. He can have little depth of religion who has not often felt that the transcendent glory of that promised future sharpens the doubt--'and can I ever hope to reach it?' Our paths are strewn with battlefields where we were defeated;
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

'According To' --I.
'According to the good pleasure of His will, ... According to the riches of His grace.'--Eph. i. 5, 7. That phrase, 'according to,' is one of the key-words of this profound epistle, which occurs over and over again, like a refrain. I reckon twelve instances of it in three chapters of the letter, and they all introduce one or other of the two thoughts which appear in the two fragments that I have taken for my text. They either point out how the great blessings of Christ's mission have underlying
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Twenty-Fifth Day. Holy and Blameless.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.--The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones.'--1 Thess. ii. 10, iii. 12, 13. 'He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Redemption through Blood, the Gracious Forgiveness of Sins
READ THE CHAPTER, and carefully note how the apostle goes to the back of everything, and commences with those primeval blessings which were ours before time began. He dwells on the divine love of old, and the predestination which came out of it; and all that blessed purpose of making us holy and without blame before him in love, which was comprehended in the covenant of grace. It does us good to get back to these antiquities--to these eternal things. You shake off something of the dust of time, as
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Blessing for Blessing
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."--Ephesians 1:3, 4. God blesses us; let us bless him. I pray that every heart here may take its own part in this service of praise. "O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord, And all that in me is, Be stirred up his holy name To magnify
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

The Treasure of Grace
There are no ministers who contend so fully and so unflinchingly for free, sovereign, unconditional grace, as those who before their conversion have revelled in gross and outrageous sin. Your gentleman preachers who have been piously brought up, and sent from their cradle to school, from school to college, and from college to the pulpit, without encountering much temptation, or being rescued from the haunts of profanity--they know comparatively little, and speak with little emphasis of free grace.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Wisdom and Revelation.
"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: 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, and what is the exceeding greatness
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Of Predestination
Rom. ix. 22.--"What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction." Eph. i. 11.--"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." We are now upon a high subject; high indeed for an eminent apostle, much more above our reach. The very consideration of God's infinite wisdom might alone suffice to restrain
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Instruction Given Us, However, is not that Every Individual in Particular is to Call...
The instruction given us, however, is not that every individual in particular is to call him Father, but rather that we are all in common to call him Our Father. By this we are reminded how strong the feeling of brotherly love between us ought to be, since we are all alike, by the same mercy and free kindness, the children of such a Father. For if He from whom we all obtain whatever is good is our common Father (Matth. 23:9), everything which has been distributed to us we should be prepared to communicate
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

The Work of God in Our Work.
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ."--1 Thess. v. 23. The difference between sanctification and good works should be well understood. Many confound the two, and believe that sanctification means to lead an honorable and virtuous life; and, since this is equal to good works, sanctification, without which no man shall see God, is made to consist in the earnest and diligent
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Concerning God's Purpose
1. God's purpose is the cause of salvation. THE third and last thing in the text, which I shall but briefly glance at, is the ground and origin of our effectual calling, in these words, "according to his purpose" (Eph. i. 11). Anselm renders it, According to his good will. Peter Martyr reads it, According to His decree. This purpose, or decree of God, is the fountainhead of our spiritual blessings. It is the impulsive cause of our vocation, justification, glorification. It is the highest link in
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Brought Nigh
"Riches of His grace."--Eph. i. 7. "Riches of His glory."--Eph. iii. 16. W. R. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Rich, our God, art Thou in mercy, Dead in sins were we, When Thy great love rested on us, Sinners, dear to Thee. Blessed path of grace that led us From the depths of death To the fair eternal mansions Quickened by Thy breath. Riches of Thy grace have brought us There, in Christ, to Thee; Riches of Thy glory make us Thy delight to be. Not alone the stream that cleansed us Flowed from Jesus
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

Prolegomena. Section i. --The Life.
S. Gregory Nazianzen, called by the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus "The Great," and universally known as "The Theologian" or "The Divine," a title which he shares with S. John the Evangelist alone among the Fathers of the Church, was, like the great Basil of Cæsarea and his brother Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, by birth a Cappadocian. He was born at Arianzus, a country estate belonging to his father, in the neighbourhood of Nazianzus. This latter, sometimes called Nazianzum, is a place quite unknown
St. Cyril of Jerusalem—Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem

Introductory Notice.
[From Vol. VII., p. 515 of the Ante-Nicene Fathers.] The first certain reference which is made by any early writer to this so-called Epistle of Clement is found in these words of Eusebius (Hist. Eccl., iii. 38): "We must know that there is also a second Epistle of Clement. But we do not regard it as being equally notable with the former, since we know of none of the ancients that have made use of it." Several critics in modern times have endeavoured to vindicate the authenticity of this epistle.
Rev. John Keith, D.D.—The Epistles of Clement

Conclusion.
"From Heaven He came and sought her To be His Holy Bride, With His own Blood He bought her, And for her life He died." "The Kingdom of Heaven," what is it? It is the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. It is that Kingdom which was prophetically set forth by our Lord in His parables; that Kingdom, the subjects of which were described in His teaching, and redeemed by His Blood to be His own "purchased possession" (Eph. i. 14); that Kingdom which was founded through the coming of the Holy
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

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