Verses to review today: Ephesians 1:3-18 (see the tips below)

Tip #1: First day for new verses, read a phrase, repeat five times in a row without looking, but be specificially thinking about each and every word as you say them (out loud if possible) and also relate an image or some other association to the phrase; go to next phrase and do same until you have gone through the full two verses. You may then try writing down each verse (one at a time) from memory and double check that you have it right. If you make a mistake, try again. It can be a struggle for a new and unfamiliar verse, but the struggle WILL produce fruit! After you have successfully written it down from memory once, recite the verses from memory three times without error. If you make a mistake, keep trying until you can do it three times.

Tip #2: Just because you did tip #1 does not mean you will remember the verses perfectly later in the day, or the next day. So, do tip #1 at least twice, if not three times, the same day. This may seem to take a bit of time, but it will sink in better for the following days and need less work.

Tip #3: Just because you have a verse down after three or four days, does not mean you will remember it the next week. The verse MUST be recited everyday for at least 20 days. And then, it will still need to be reviewed frequently. After a while you may remember it pretty much without regular review, but every so often, you’ll need to double check by reciting to someone to see that you have it right.

Tip #4: The next day you will be learning the next two verses using tips #1 and #2. Before learning the new verses, recite the previous verses you have learned. If you say it perfectly the first time with no hesitation, then move to the next verse. If you missed a word, phrase, or even hesitated, say the verse without error three times in a row. This will be easier than it was the first day when the verse was first learned, but might need to be done for several days considering you will likely make mistakes for several days. You may even say it perfectly for several days and then make mistakes again for whatever reason. Don’t worry about it. This takes time and will not be perfect for most people right away. After you have done the review of the verses for that day, move to the new verses. After you finished the new verses, try to recite the review verses again.

Last Tip: As you use these verses, you’ll be excited that they become useful, which will motivate you to continue. Also, as you recite whole sentences (that might cover several verses), you realize, if you are thinking about what you are saying, that your understanding of God and the gospel will improve. Things will make sense that you may have not realized before just because your hare having to think about the verses so much in your review and you may have always read right past those verses previously.

New Verses: Ephesians 1:19-20

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, (ESV)

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (KJV)

Greek: 19 καὶ τί τὸ ὑπερβάλλον μέγεθος τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ εἰς ἡμᾶς τοὺς πιστεύοντας κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κράτους τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ. 20 Ἣν ἐνήργησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐγείρας αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν καὶ καθίσας ἐν δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις

Transliterated Greek: 19 kai ti to hyperballon megethos tēs dynameōs autou eis hēmas tous pisteuontas kata tēn energeian tou kratous tēs ischyos autou. 20 Hēn enērgēsen en tō Christō egeiras auton ek nekrōn kai kathisas en dexia autou en tois epouraniois

Literal Word for Word Translation: 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe according to the working of his mighty strength. 20 which he worked in Christ raising him from the dead and seating him at right of Him in the heavenly places

Vocab: ὑπερβάλλον, hyperballon, going beyond; μέγεθος, megethos , greatness; δυνάμεως, dynameōs, of power; κράτους, kratous, of strength/might (as of a ruler); ἰσχύος, ischyos, of strength/might; ἐνήργησεν, enērgēsen, he worked; ἐγείρας, egeiras, he raised; νεκρῶν, nekrōn, of the (plural) dead; καθίσας, kathisas, having seated; δεξιᾷ, dexia, to the right; ἐπουρανίοις, epouraniois, heavenly (pl adj).

Commentary: Paul is exalting the grace and power of God, through the Holy Spirit, that is at work in believers. It is the exact same power which raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him in a position of authority over all creation. If such power was able to raise a dead body for the salvation of all who believe and is currently in authority over heaven and earth (Mt 28:18), then such a power is able to do anything through sinful creatures cleansed by the blood of the Savior. There is no reason to doubt God in any situation. Eph. 3:20-21, 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.