Wow! You Are Amazing! (Ephesians 1:4)

EPHESIANS 1:4 says that "...He chose us in Him before the founding of the world, for us to be holy and unblemished before Him in love".

BEFORE HIM IN LOVE

"...before Him in love..." is the phrase that is the focus of this word study. In the Greek, the first part is (katenopion autou), the last word meaning "Himself". (katenopion), [2714, Strong's], is only used 5 times in the NT and only 11 times in the whole bible. Three of the 5 times, it is translated with "unblemished" [299, Strong's] (Eph.1:4; Col.1:22; Jude 1:24). [The other 2 uses are in 2 Cor.2:17 and 2 Cor. 12:19].

(KATENOPION)

(katenopion) is actually a compound word formed from 3 different words:

(kata), "down" [an intensifier]

(en), "in"

(opion), which is from (op), "to see" [(opion) is also the root of where we get the English word "optometrist", referring to someone who examines the eyes to check and care for vision].

GAZE of GOD

The meaning of (katenopion) is "to be standing right down in front of someone's gaze". In every instance in the NT, it refers to being right in the gaze of God. Greek words, however, are not solely defined on their own, but rather, their specific meanings are discovered; determined, by the phrase or sentence of words that they are compounded with. In this case, the word (katenopion) is compounded with the qualifying phrase of being "...holy and without any blemish right down in front of His gaze of love".

NEARNESS & DEARNESS

The term implies a special nearness and dearness, being coupled with the fact that He sees us holy and without any blemish, but in addition, His gaze is one of love and not of judgment or condemnation.

RIGHT WHERE WE ARE

The idea is that our Father is looking at us intently, and we are always right down in front of His gaze. He is not a million miles away, but rather, He sees us right where we are, because He is always right where we are.

AFFECTIONATELY

Further, the implication is that His gaze is not only very intently, but very affectionately.

VISUAL IMAGERY

To try to convey the visual imagery from the Greek, would be close to the English phrase, "I've got my eye on you", but in a totally positive connotation. The imagery is one of the all knowing; the all powerful; the creator of the universe, viewing us with love and affection, and being amazed at us individually!

WATCHING & LOOKING

It is like many parents, which sometimes totally overlook the faults and short comings of their own children, because they see themselves in them. The parents are always watching and looking for signs of growth; maturity; and responsibility, to show up in their children, and then, totally unsolicited, the child performs some act of kindness that makes them feel so proud that they are their parents. The child amazes them, and the parents expression may be, "Wow, you are amazing!". This is the closest visual depiction of the imagery presented in (katenopion).

EYE ON US

God, our Father, doesn't see any faults or short comings in us whatsoever. In fact, He has his eye on us, lovingly and affectionately, amazed by what He sees. He is astounded, by what He sees in us! He is blown away by the perfection and awesomeness of each of us, individually! We are so unique and special to Him, and His tender affection is overwhelmed by what He sees in us! "Wow! You are amazing!"

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