A Spirit of Revelation
By Jonathan Mitchell
In what is considered to be a circular letter, called Ephesians, Paul prays for the believing members of the called-out communities, in Asia Minor. In 1:17-18, he discloses the intent of his prayers:
17. to the end that the God of (or: pertaining to; or, reading the genitive as in apposition: Who is) our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the Glory (or: the founder and archetype of, and which is, this manifestation which calls forth praise; the Parent of this assumed Appearance), would give (may suddenly impart; should at some point grant;[ cf Col. 1:9]) to, and in, you folks a spirit (or: disposition and influence) of, and from, Wisdom and revelation (or: an attitude of cleverness and of an unveiling or an uncovering; a Breath-effect which is insight and apocalyptic disclosure) within the midst of a full and accurate experiential and intimate knowledge of Himself (or: in a full realization of Him; in the sphere of, and in union with, His personal knowledge; centered and resident within an added insight from Him, and which is Him),
18. the eyes of the heart of you folks (= the insights and perceptions of the core of your being) having been, and continuing, enlightened (or: now illuminated into a state of enlightenment; [cf Acts 26:18]) into the [situation for] you folks to have seen and thus perceive and know what is the expectation (or: expectant hope) of His calling (or: from HIS calling; belonging to His summons; from the invitation which is Him) and what [is] the wealth and riches from the Glory (or: of the imagination and opinion; pertaining to the reputation; which is the manifested Appearance) of, and from, the enjoyment of His lot-acquired inheritance centered within, in union with, and among, the set-apart, sacred people (or: centered in the dedicated holy ones).
What did he mean by the phrase "a spirit (or: disposition and influence) of, and from, Wisdom and revelation"? Well, first of all, the Greek phrase could also be rendered: "an attitude, disposition and influence of cleverness and of an unveiling or an uncovering," or, "a Breath-effect which is insight and apocalyptic disclosure." A "spirit of Wisdom," or (as an ablative) "from Wisdom," calls to mind the Wisdom of which we read in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, a few Psalms, or the Wisdom of Solomon. It refers to practical action, creativeness, cleverness, or spiritual understanding. The Greek word "apocalupsis" has a broad semantic range: an unveiling, an uncovering, a revealing or a revelation, or thus, a disclosure.
The context in which Paul is using these terms is on offer for us in the prepositional phrase which follows them: "within the midst of a full and accurate experiential and intimate knowledge of Himself." Then, his explanation carries on, in vs. 18, where he intends this Wisdom and disclosure to enlighten their hearts. The parenthetical paraphrase suggests that he is referring to "the insights and perceptions of the core of [their] beings." Notice the perfect tense of the participle, "having been, and continuing, enlightened (or: now illuminated into a state of enlightenment)." Following this, he unpacks a further aspect of the intent he has in mind, by another purpose clause: "into the [situation for] you folks to have seen and thus perceive and know what is the expectation (or: expectant hope) of His calling." The last phrase can also be rendered as, "from HIS calling, or, belonging to His summons, or, from the invitation which is Him (this last option is rendering the phrase as a genitive of apposition)." Remember, the "calling" or "summons" is normally "a word" - and the Word is God (Jn. 1:1).
But this is not all, for Paul continues, "and what [is] the wealth and riches from the Glory." But, of course, this last phrase can also be rendered as, "of the imagination and opinion, or, pertaining to the reputation, or, which is the manifested Appearance." Each of the possible renderings, on offer in the above translation of these verses, should be pondered and contemplated. You see, the Lord can impart to us a "spirit of unveiling (etc.)" to enlarge our experiential and intimate knowledge of what Paul is meaning. Just think of it: "the wealth" available to us, "from the imagination" which He presents to us. The "riches, which is the manifested Appearance [of Christ]." Or, "the wealth of the opinion" which His Spirit creates in us.
Now, all of this is comprised of, and comes from, "the enjoyment of His lot-acquired inheritance centered within, in union with, and among, the set-apart, sacred people." The last phrase can be taken both individually and corporately. But we should notice that this is HIS inheritance. Yet, it is "centered within, and in union with" US!
Having now considered what these verses SAY (or, can say), what did Paul mean by the phrase "a spirit of revelation (etc.)"? It obviously has to do with our relationship to God, and His relationship with us. But although this revelation makes use of our intellect, our mind, the understanding, of all that verses 17 and 18 disclose, it does not come FROM our mind or our intellect, but rather, from Him via a "disclosure," an "unveiling," or "a revelation." Recall that Jesus said,
"The Declarations (Gush-effects; spoken words; sayings; results of the Flow) which I, Myself, have spoken to (or: in; with; for) you folks are (or: continue to be; exist being) Spirit (or: spirit; Breath-effect; attitude) and they are (or: continue being) Life" (Jn. 6:63b).
So God gives us experiential knowledge in the form of spirit (or: via His Spirit) by unveiling it to us, or simply, by disclosing it to our spirits. Now the phrases and dependent clauses in these verses encompass the height and breadth of the Gospel. John, on the Isle of Patmos was given an extensive, in-depth disclosure about seven churches, in his day, and about what we see as the end of the old covenant/age, and the beginning of the new (cf 2 Cor. 5:17... "[there is] a new creation"; also, Rev. 21:1-5).
The NT lays out the Good News, but we need to have "the eyes of our hearts" enlightened. Just like Jesus needed to explain the parable of the wheat and the tares to His disciples (Mat. 13), we all need "a spirit of Wisdom and revelation" to see clearly what has been given to us. Each branch of the Vine (Jn. 15) must continually receive the nourishment of the Vine through the spiritual "sap" which flows up into the branches, and out into our atmospheres, so that we can produce His fruit.
The message from the agent to the shepherds, in Lu. 2, was a disclosure to them. John the baptizer explained to his disciples that Jesus was God's Lamb, and that He would cleanse their work areas, and then baptize them with Holy Spirit and Fire (Mat. 3:11-12). Peter received a spirit of revelation on the Day of Pentecost, and then publicly disclosed the message of the Good News to those in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-41). Paul received the Good News and then spread it throughout his world, and then through his letters continues disclosing the secrets that involve Christ within us., the "expectation of Glory" (Col. 1:27), and the news of the new creation that involves "one New Humanity" (Eph. 2:15).
So, what is a "spirit of revelation"? We suggest that it is a Word (which is Spirit and Life) which God speaks to our spirit (remember: the person that is joined to the Lord is "one spirit" - 1 Cor. 6:17). God, via His Spirit, lives within us, and communes with us - remember, we are His residence, His Temple, and we live within Him (Acts 17:28). In Jn. 14:20, Jesus said:
"I Myself [am; exist] within the midst of My Father, and you folks [are; exist] within the midst of, in union with, and in the sphere of, ME, and I Myself within the midst of, in union with, and in the sphere of, you people."
And then, in Jn. 14:23,
"If anyone continues (or: would be habitually) loving, accepting, fully giving himself to, and urging toward union with, ME, he WILL continue constantly watching over so as to observe, guard, preserve keep and maintain My Word (logos: thought, idea; Blueprint; message; laid-out, patterned Information), and My Father will continue loving, fully giving Himself to, and urging toward union with, him, AND, facing toward him, WE will continue coming to him and will be progressively making (constructing; forming; creating; producing) a home (abode; dwelling place; place to stay) with him (or: at his side and in his presence).
And in 14:26,
"Now the Helper (the One called alongside to aid, comfort, encourage and bring relief; the Paraclete), the set-apart Spirit (or: the Sacred Breath; the holy Breath-effect; the holy attitude), which the Father will proceed sending within, and in union with, My Name-Designation, that One will be progressively teaching you all things (everything) AND will continue reminding you of (calling to your mind and causing you to think about) everything (all things) which I, Myself, said to you."
That's how it works, folks. Just listen within yourself, and ask Him to teach you how to know His voice. His sheep know His voice (Jn. 10:27). We will end this article with the following passages, first from Heb. 5:8
Even though continuously being a son, He learned to listen, pay attention and act on it (or: the giving of the ear in hearing from below, and then to obey) from the things which He experienced (or: what happened to Him [both the good and the bad]). [cf 12:5-9, below; Mk. 14:34-36; Lu. 2:52; Jn. 8:29; Rom. 8:14; Phil. 2:8]
9. And being brought to the goal of [His] destiny (being brought to maturity and completeness; being finished and perfected) He became a cause of eonian deliverance (or: rescue, wholeness and good health and restoration to the original state of being which pertains to and has the character of the Age; safety and healing of and for the ages) for all (or: in all) those habitually listening, paying attention and acting in response (or: the giving of the ear in hearing from below, with obedience) to Him,
11. concerning Whom the Word (Logos; Blueprint; patterned Information) [has] much to say to us - and [it is] difficult to be explained (or: about which the message [is] great and [is] hard to be understood [or] for us to say; or: concerning Whom, for us [there is] much to say - and [it is] hard to be interpreted), since you have come to be settled in a heavy, torpid state of sluggishness, resulting in your being dull, unable to push, and lethargic, with regard to the ears, and for the ability to listen or hear.
12. For also, normally being obligated (or: imposed by duty and reason, in the nature of the case) to regularly be teachers, because of the time [gone by], you again continue having a need of someone to be progressively teaching you folks the elementary things (or: fundamental principles and categories; rudiments and rules) of the beginning of the brief Words of pattern-forming Information and small Blueprints (or: which are the start of the short Thoughts; concerning the Beginning, from the little messages) of, and from, God, and so you have become folks having need of milk, and not solid food.
13. For you see, everyone partaking of (sharing in; = being nourished and living on just) milk [is] untried and untested (inexperienced) pertaining to [the] Word of the Way pointed out (or: with regard to a Blueprint of eschatological deliverance; from pattern-forming Information, or an Idea about rightwised relationships; belonging to a Thought of, and a Reason for, the flowing together of rightness), for it follows that he is a babe (a non-speaking infant, or one who is still childish and unfit to bear weapons). [cf 1 Cor. 3:1-3]
14. But the solid food belongs to perfected ones (complete and mature ones; ones who are fully developed and have reached the goal of their destiny; [cf 1 Cor. 2:6-16]) - those, because of habit, having organs of perception trained, as in gymnastic exercise, and thus being skilled because of practice, and disciplined, with a view to a discerning of (or: when facing the act of separating, making a distinction and then a decision about) both good and evil(both that which is excellent, ideal, of good quality, profitable and beautiful, as well as that which is of bad quality, worthless, ugly or of bad form; or: = between right and wrong).
Does the last clause of vs. 14 have an allusion to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2-3)? Recall Gen. 3:22a, where we read:
And finally, Paul offers us further insight in 1 Cor. 2:
14. But a soulish person (one dominated by, or living focused on, his breath [= the transient life], or by those things which characterize the soul [emotions; will; intellect; physical life; internal welfare; the self; the ego] or psyche; = a nonpneumatic person) does not normally accept (or: habitually get, or welcomingly receive, the offer of) the things of God's Breath-effect (or: which have the character and quality of the Spirit of God; pertaining to God's spirit and attitude), for they are stupidity to him (foolishness for him; nonsense in him), and he continues unable, and habitually has no power, to recognize, intimately and experientially know, or get insight [into them], BECAUSE, they continue being sifted and held up for close SPIRITUAL examination(or: are normally evaluated spiritually above; are constantly brought back for spiritual separation and attitudinal discernment; are progressively re-evaluated through means of the Breath-effect and comparison to the Attitude; or: are pneumatically interpreted).
15. Yet the spiritual person (one dominated by, and focused on, spirit or the realm of the Spirit, and characterized by the qualities of spirit: the Wind which continuously moves across the land; or: the pneumatic person; [cf 14:37, 15:44-50, below]) is, on the one hand, continuously sifting and re-evaluating (habitually separating and deciding from above on; progressively holding things up for close examination of; or: = understand the meaning) everything and all humanity, yet, on the other hand, he is being sifted and held up for close examination, or decision, by no one.
16. For,"Who intimately knows (or: experientially knew) [the] LORD's [= Yahweh's] mind? Who will proceed to co-habit with (or: so that he will mount or come together so as to unite and be knit with) Him?" [Isa. 40:13-14, LXX; note: for mind the Heb. text has Spirit; cf Rom. 11:34] Yet we, ourselves, are continuously holding and possessing (or: progressively having) Christ's mind (a mind which is Anointed, and which is Christ; [other MSS: a mind of, and from, {the} Lord {or: LORD}]; a way of thinking and an intellect from an Anointing; a mental awareness, orientation, disposition, and resolve, of, and from, Christ; or: thoughts that are Anointed thoughts - cf Moffatt)!
This situation among God's children (as described above, in Heb. 5, and expanded by, Paul in 1 Cor.) seems to be why Paul prayed for us to have a spirit of revelation and disclosure.
Jonathan
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