Ephesians 1
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The Vision of the Father’s Will
This chapter unveils the eternal purpose of God, centered not on individual salvation but on the 'good pleasure' of the Father to head up all things in Christ. It establishes the believer's heavenly position, revealing that we were chosen and predestined unto sonship before the foundation of the world to be the praise of His glory. Paul concludes with a prayer for a spirit of wisdom and revelation, asking that the eyes of the Church be opened to see the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of the resurrection power that has installed Christ as Head over all things to the Church.
The Apostolic Greeting (1:1-2)
- The Author: Paul, an apostle by the will of God.
- The Recipients: The saints and faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesus as 'Maiden of Choice').
- The Blessing: Grace and peace from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Eulogy: Blessed be God (1:3-6)
- The Sphere: Blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.
- Election: Chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless.
- Predestination: Not merely regarding salvation, but predestined unto sonship and conformity to Christ.
- The Goal: To the praise of the glory of His grace, accepted in the Beloved.
The Riches of His Grace (1:7-12)
- Redemption: Forgiveness of sins through His blood.
- The Mystery Revealed: God's administration (economy) to gather (head up) all things in Christ.
- The Inheritance: We have obtained an inheritance and are His inheritance, destined for His glory.
The Seal of the Spirit (1:13-14)
- The Process: Hearing the word of truth and believing.
- The Earnest: The Spirit as a pledge or down payment, a foretaste of the full inheritance until final redemption.
Paul’s First Prayer: For Vision and Revelation (1:15-23)
- The Petition: For a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
- The Threefold Vision: Knowing the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance in the saints, and the greatness of His power.
- The Standard of Power: Resurrection and ascension power seating Christ at God's right hand.
- The Result: Christ made Head over all things to the Church, His Body and Fullness.
Click any verse to read its commentary
1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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