Ephesians 1
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1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love; 5having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, 6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved, 7in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 10to 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; 11in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will; 12to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ. 13In 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, 14who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. 15For 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, 16don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17that 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; 18having 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, 19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
World English Bible (public domain)
“He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”
Ephesians 1:5
Summary
Ephesians chapter 1 is an epistle that begins with a greeting from Paul to the church at Ephesus, highlighting the blessings believers have in Christ. Paul elaborates on the spiritual blessings available to believers, including being chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, and the redemption and forgiveness available through His grace. This chapter emphasizes God's eternal plan and purposes, underscoring that believers were chosen according to His will, and that their ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God. Paul continues by explaining the role of the Holy Spirit as a seal and a guarantee of inheritance, ensuring the believers' hope in Christ. The chapter transitions into a prayer where Paul expresses gratitude for the faith and love that characterizes the Ephesian church. He prays for a spirit of wisdom and revelation among the believers so they might know God better and understand the hope to which they are called. Additionally, Paul highlights the immeasurable greatness of God's power at work in believers, the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at God's right hand. Key theological themes include the doctrine of election, the redemption found in Christ, and the ultimate purpose of living for the praise of God's glory. The chapter encapsulates the lavish grace of God bestowed upon believers and assures them of their secure inheritance. Through Paul's prayer, he seeks to deepen the spiritual understanding and maturity of the readers, encouraging them to live fully in the knowledge and power of God's work in their lives.
Key Themes
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