Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 is a chapter that introduces the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ. Paul opens with a greeting to the Ephesians and quickly transitions into a doxology praising God for the spiritual riches in Christ. The chapter emphasizes redemption, inheritance, and the believers' relationship with Christ, highlighting the abundant spiritual blessings given to those in Him.
Ephesians 1:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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,
Paul begins with praise, acknowledging that God has blessed His people with every spiritual blessing in Christ, emphasizing the completeness of what God has provided for salvation and a victorious life. These blessings are "in the heavenly places," reminding believers that their true citizenship and inheritance are spiritual and eternal. Notably, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit as a separate being in this introduction, reinforcing the understanding that the Comforter is the presence and power of the Father and the Son working in the lives of believers. The passage invites reflection on God’s abundant generosity and calls believers to live with gratitude, knowing they are equipped to grow in faith and reflect Christ's love.
Ephesians 1:4-6 (NKJV)
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
This passage reveals God’s loving plan, established before the foundation of the world, for humanity to be holy and blameless in His presence through His love. This "choosing" is not about predestining specific individuals for salvation or condemnation, but rather God's predetermined plan to offer salvation to all through Christ. The phrase "adoption as sons" emphasizes the privilege of becoming part of God's family through faith in Jesus, showing that anyone who accepts Christ is included in this chosen family. Paul praises God's grace, which is freely given, unearned, and demonstrates His deep desire for all to experience redemption. This passage reassures believers of their identity as children of God and calls them to live in gratitude, reflecting His love and the gift of belonging to His eternal family.
Ephesians 1:7-10 (NKJV)
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
This passage focuses on the redemption believers have through Christ’s sacrifice, emphasizing the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God’s grace. Redemption means being set free from the bondage of sin through Jesus' blood, highlighting the immense cost of salvation. Paul emphasizes that God’s grace is lavish, not given sparingly, and that He has made known His plan of salvation—a "mystery" that is now revealed in Christ. This plan is to unite all things in heaven and on earth under Christ at the right time, restoring harmony to all creation. The passage highlights God’s ultimate purpose of reconciliation, showing that through Christ, God is working to bring everything into alignment with His perfect will, giving believers hope in the promise of restoration and unity.
Ephesians 1:11-14 (NKJV)
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
This passage emphasizes that believers have an inheritance in Christ, planned by God from the beginning according to His purpose. This inheritance is given to those who trust in Christ and are "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" after hearing and believing the gospel. The seal represents God’s assurance and ownership, signifying His commitment to fulfill His promise of eternal life. However, this seal does not mean that believers cannot fall away. The Bible makes it clear that salvation requires ongoing faithfulness. In Hebrews 6:4-6, Paul warns that it is possible for someone who has experienced the Holy Spirit to fall away. Similarly, Ezekiel 18:24 shows that a righteous person who turns away from their righteousness can face judgment. Revelation 3:5 speaks of names being blotted out of the Book of Life if one does not overcome. Therefore, the seal of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of God's faithfulness, but believers must continue abiding in Christ (John 15:4-6) to remain secure. This passage reassures believers of their inheritance while calling them to remain steadfast in their relationship with Christ.
Ephesians 1:15-23 (NKJV)
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
This passage is Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving and intercession for the believers. He thanks God for their faith in Christ and their love for others and prays that they may receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God more deeply. He desires that their spiritual eyes be enlightened to grasp the hope of their calling, the richness of their inheritance, and the greatness of God's power working in them. This power is the same mighty strength that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at God's right hand, far above all rulers, powers, and authorities. Paul emphasizes that Christ is the head of the church, which is His body, and that He "fills all things" with His presence, authority, and sustaining power.
Christ "fills all things" by ruling over creation with supreme authority, sustaining all life (Colossians 1:17), and working within the church to fulfill His mission of redemption. His presence transforms believers and spreads His influence throughout the world as they live out His character. Ultimately, His filling will be fully realized when He restores all things at His second coming. This passage reassures believers that Christ’s authority and power are unmatched and that, as His body, they are called to reflect His glory and be filled with His life-giving presence.