EPHESIANS 3:12-16 DO NOT LOSE HEART

 

EPHESIANS 3:12-16 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from 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 through His Spirit in the inner man,

Boldness; "the absence of fear in speaking boldly; hence, confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, without any connection necessarily with speech;" The Greek word used here is παῤῥησία parrhesia. Strong's G3954 Vines (def B-1b) noun. 

Access With Confidence; Of confidence through our faith in Him." This "access" involves the acceptance which we have in Christ with God, and the privilege of His favor towards us. Entering into the presence of someone who favors you denotes "admission". Note: Some advocate the meaning "introduction." The Greek word for access is προσαγωγή prosagogeVines (def. 1c) Strong's G4318

Confidence in this text has the idea of persuasion, assurance, confidence,". The Greek word used is πεποίθησις pepoithesis Vines (def. A1) noun. Strong's G4006.

Cross References: Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness[a] to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

Moving to Verse 13.

Ask; My notes - Paul is asking with a deep sense of conviction, that the Ephesians do not see what has happened to him regarding his tribulations on their behalf of them and think. "Well, time to pack up shop. Following Jesus Christ is too hard", but rather letting them know that it will be to their benefit if they do persevere in pursuit of the faith. That they would be granted riches according to the glory of Jesus Christ.  

Tribulation; KJV Usage: afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. The Greek word is θλῖψις thlipsis Vines (def. prime) Strong's G2347

Verse 14.

Bow My Knees; to bend," is used especially of bending the knees in religious veneration. The Greek word for "bow" is κάμπτω kampto Vines (def. 1) Strong's G2578. 

Father; The Greek word is pater. Using the Strong's definition. a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote). KJV Usage: father, parent.

Lord; "Paul ordinarily uses kurios of the Lord Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:3, e.g., but also on occasion, of God, in quotations from the OT, 1 Corinthians 3:20, e.g., and in his own words, 1 Corinthians 3:5. Also see Heb. 12:5-9 is used of God. The Greek word, κύριος kurios Strong's G2962 is the Sept. and NT representative of Heb. Jehovah ('Lord' in Eng. versions)

Vines notes: "The full significance of this association of Jesus with God under the one appellation, 'Lord,' is seen when it is remembered that these men belonged to the only monotheistic race in the world. To associate with the Creator one known to be a creature, however exalted, though possible to Pagan philosophers, was quite impossible to a Jew.

Verse 15.

Named; "to name, call, give a name to," in the passive voice. "is called' or "is named". The Greek word is ὀνομάζω onomazo. Strong's G3687, Vines (def. B-1). verb.

NSB* Father and Family are related words in the original text. All families of men and angels derive from God the Father, their Creator. 

Verse 16.  

Grant; to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection. Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); KJV Usage: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield. The Greek word is δίδωμι didomi Strong's G1325. I was unable to find a direct definition in Vine's, but all major English translations use the word "grant" or "give". 

Strengthened With Might; "to strengthen," is rendered "to be strengthened". The Greek word is κραταιόω krataioo Vine's (def. B-5) verb. Strong's G2901. At it's root it has the idea of, to empower, i.e. (passively) increase in vigor. 

In The Inner Man; Inner, an adverb connected with eis, into," is translated "inner" The Greek word is ἔσω eso. Vines (def. 1). Strong's G2080. Here as the sphere of the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. 

Cross Reference: Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

This is the kind of strength you can only get from God. 

Takeaways:

1. We can have full confidence in Jesus Christ. 

2. We are not promised a walk with God will result in what we think is a "happy-go-lucky" life. God looks at things eternally and while he may give temporal blessings, an eternal perspective is key. ie. You might suffer "on the land", but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit according to the riches of Christ's glory. Because of this, our mindset should change in recognition of what God is doing on a micro and macro scale. Not just the "micro" or "right now" level. 

*Nelson Study Bible.