Ephesians 1:17-19 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory… I. INCREASE OF SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION. Not so much new objects to contemplate, as clearer and deeper knowledge of objects already discerned. This is attained — 1. Through exercise of faith already possessed. It grows with the using. 2. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit. It assimilates the perceiving power to its own nature, and imparts new knowledge of Divine things. The powers of the spirit in general are heightened and extended — "a spirit of wisdom." Truth not discernible by ordinary human faculties is made known — "revelation." II. CLOSER ACQUAINTANCE WITH THEIR LORD. "In the knowledge of Him." He is the life book we are to study. III. ACCESS OF DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. IV. GROWTH IN EXPERIENCE. Amid the vague, new elements that crowd into their knowledge, certain great, central objects are to be realized most intensely. 1. The hope of their calling. Glory, complete salvation, eternal life, etc., are various aspects of this hope, which it is the great object of Christians to attain. 2. The riches of the glory of the Divine inheritance. The Kingdom of God grows in vastness, glory, and privilege, the more it is contemplated and sought. 3. The Divine resurrection power within themselves. The same power which raised Christ from the dead, and set Him at the right hand of God, works in the believer, evokes spiritual life, and sustains and develops it, from grace to grace, and glory to glory. As they compare their spiritual experience with His in resurrection and ascension, they will have grander realizations of the nature of the resurrection power that is working in themselves, and will trust it more intelligently and absolutely. There is no limit to this experience. (A. F. Muir, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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: |
    |