Ephesians chapter 1
Paul greets the believers in Ephesus. He says God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He prays for spiritual wisdom and insight.
GREETINGS
VERSE 1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
saints. The Greek word is ἁγίοις (“hagiois”). It means set apart by God, set apart for God, holy, sacred.
faithful. The Greek word is πιστοῖς (“pistois”). It means trustworthy, faithful, believing.
to the saints … and the faithful. It is curious that Paul describes these two separately. Why is that? It would seem that they are one and the same. Are there two categories of Christian believers?
VERSE 2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST
VERSE 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
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blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Christians often ask God for further blessings. However, this verse says we already have every spiritual blessing. Or at least the ones that exist “in the heavenly places.”
in the heavenly places. We do have every spiritual blessing that is possible “in the heavenly places.”
Does this mean those limitless blessings are available only in heaven? Does it mean that after we die, the realm of eternity will be wonderful? Are we missing out on some blessings right now?
VERSE 4. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
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chose us … before the foundation of the world. God chose you before the world began.
2 Timothy 1:9. who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
VERSE 5. having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
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predestined. The Greek word is proorisas. It means “marked out beforehand.” Predestination emphasizes our destiny of bring children of God through Jesus Christ.
VERSE 6. to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved,
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VERSE 7. in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
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redemption. The Greek word is hapolytrôsin. It denotes release or deliverance from a state of slavery.
VERSE 8. which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
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VERSE 9. making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
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VERSE 10. to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.
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the fullness of the times. Literally “the dispensation of the fullness of the times.” The Greek words for dispensation is hoikonomia. It means an arrangement or administration.
VERSE 11. We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,
VERSE 12. to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ.
VERSE 13. In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
him … Holy Spirit. Where is the Holy Trinity defined or alluded to in the New Testament? Here are the verses we found.
you also. That is, you Gentiles.
believed … sealed. As soon as we hear and believer, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
VERSE 14. who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
PRAYING FOR SPIRITUAL WISDOM & INSIGHT
VERSE 15. For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,
VERSE 16. don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
VERSE 17. that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
a spirit of wisdom. That is, additional wisdom stemming from your spiritual life.
VERSE 18. having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
the hope of his calling. What is the hope of Christ’s calling upon you?
VERSE 19. and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
power. The Greek word is hdynamis. It means a spiritually dynamic and living force. This power of God is directed toward us believers.
VERSE 20. which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
right hand. The Bible often mentions “the right hand” of God. That is a position of power and honor. We believe it refers to Jesus Christ. More verses about the right hand.
VERSE 21. far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.
dominion. This might be a name for a type of angel.
Christian artists often portray angels as obese caucasian babies with blond hair. However, angels are powerful spirit entities with immense power and authority. Read more »
VERSE 22. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,
VERSE 23. which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
his body. The Church is sometimes called “the body of Christ.” Paul uses that title here.
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EPHESIANS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.