Power and Prosperity (Ephesians 1:2)

EPHESIANS 1:2, as part of the introduction to the book, refers to "Grace and Peace..."

GRACE

Grace, or (charis), 5485, is that internal indument of power, [that we received, when we entered into the covenant made with Abraham, that Jesus came to fulfill, and bring into full force], that is the specific power for fulfilling the purpose of our Father, in our lives.

PEACE

Peace (eirene), 1515, comes from the verb (eiro), "to join", or "join together". The idea is that two parts had been separated, and now that they have come back together, there is "peace".

PICTURE of COVENANT

The first thing to note, is that this is a picture of covenant. The Bible is a book of covenants, and more specifically, it is an account of man rebelling against God, and God choosing to make a covenant with a man, Abraham, because He knew that Abraham would teach his children the covenant, and they would follow in it (Gen.18:19), so that God could legally, bring back man into relationship with Himself.

LEGALLY BINDING

That may be a very simplistic explanation, but that is the essence of the good news, that through Abraham, forming a legally binding contract, or covenant, all the world would be blessed, through Jesus Christ coming to fulfill the covenant (Gal.3:8).

TRUE to ALL

The second aspect, is that (eirene) can be applied corporately and individually, so that what is true in the individual life, can be true to all, who enter into the covenant.

NO WAR

(Eirene) is the direct opposite of (polemos), "war", or literally, "armed conflict". When there is no war or conflict against you, it affords every opportunity to grow; expand; prosper; and succeed, at whatever endeavor is attempted, because there is security and safety for all, but the Greek word extends to mean 'the absence of any disturbance or conflict against you'.

NO LACK

The Greek word, of course, translates the Hebrew word (shalom) and both words always convey the idea of 'financial or physical prosperity', to the extent, that there is 'nothing wanting'. In other words, not only do you have everything that you need, but there is nothing that you lack to accomplish what you need to do.

CUSTOMARY GREETING

What is interesting, is that the customary greeting, in the Greek world was (chairein), meaning "rejoice". [used in Acts 15:23 when the leaders in Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Gentile Christians scattered abroad; used in Acts 23:26, by the commander Claudius Lysias, when writing to the governor Felix regarding Paul; and used in the epistle of James, when addressing the Jewish Believers scattered abroad, throughout the Gentile world].

TOTAL PROSPERITY

The customary Jewish greeting was "mercy and peace" (Jude 2), or simply "peace".

Paul changed the greeting from "rejoice" (chairein), to "grace", (charis), 'the enabling power' to fulfill the calling on your life, and "peace" (eirene), 'the result of this enabling power', which is the fact, that you are 'fully equipped', and 'wanting nothing', 'able to succeed' at the task before you, because you don't just have the power of God in you [grace], but that power has produced in you, the condition of total prosperity, so that what you have works, to get the job done. There is no real conflict that can stand against you to succeed, The devil has been defeated. You have what it takes.

USE what you HAVE

All you need to do, is use what you already have, and the "grace", 'power in you', will produce "peace", or 'a state of prosperity' and blessing everywhere you go, and to all that you bring this good news.

FORCE of GOD

Nothing can stop 'the force of God' in you, in your calling [grace], and the results will be demonstrated as you step out and unleash that awesome force [grace], to produce success and prosperity in the lives of others [peace], whether that is salvation; healing; deliverance; or any aspect of prosperity and success.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.