Ephesians 1

Greetings 1
Christ has chosen us  3
We have redemption in Him 7
We are also predestined in Him; inheritance guaranteed 11
Paul prays for the believers; Christ is in control  15
Text
Comments
 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.

  1 - Ephesus This was the first of the seven churches John wrote to. On Paul's Ephesian contact, see Acts 19 and 20 ac19.
  3 - In heavenly places Here is the first of four occurrences of this phrase which is unique to the book of Ephesians. Also in v20, ep0206 and ep0310. The Greek phrase en tois epouraniois "in the heavenly [places]" also occurs in ep0612 translated "in high places." We find the translation "heavenly" elsewhere.
  4 - Chosen us All Israel was chosen as a nation de0706, not individuals. Paul applies the promise to spiritual Israel, the church. But not all have accepted the responsibility to be children of Christ ro0906, nor had all been born as natural Israel jn0111.
  5 - Predestinated From proorizo. See ro0829, v4.
  6 - Grace This blessing comes from God.
  6 - Made us accepted Literally, "endowed us with grace."
The coin (front and back): The head is that of Nero 
.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:


  7 - Redemption Jesus' blood is more than a unique medicine or a visa to enter Heaven. It is the life He gave up so that we need not die the eternal death which we deserve.
  9 - Mystery of his will The eternal life which we may receive through the blood by simply taking up our cross and following, is a deep subject, 1co0120.
  10 - Dispensation Greek, oikonomia, meaning "stewardship" or "plan" or (NASB) "administration." We may see this as the whole arrangement or plan made for our salvation. Also 1co0917.
  10 - Fullness of times  The time of several significant events are predicted in the Bible. For example: the anointing for ministry of the Messiah da0925. mr0109, mr0115 after 69 weeks of years which takes us to 27 AD and His death in 31 da0926,7. Another time period points to the cleansing or restoration of the sanctuary (the salvation system in symbols) after 2300 days of years da0814. Christ will return in glory at a specific time, too, but we are not told when mr1332.
  10 - Gather It is at this final time above that the final gathering will happen mr1327 the other times prepare for it.
  10 - Heaven The Greek word is ouranos which means everywhere. God plans to provide harmony throughout the universe.
.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.
.13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
 14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
  11 - Obtained an inheritance Literally, "were chosen." See v4.
  12 - That we should be The purpose of predestination is here expanded from v5.
  13 - Trusted This word is supplied – not in the Greek. Also the word does not harmonize with the context. It might best be omitted.
  13 - Sealed From sphragizo. See on 2co0122, jn0627. The seeker is first hearing, then believing, and finally sealing which is the sign of authenticity.
  13 - Spirit of promise See is3215, ez3626, jl0228, jn1416, 2ti0219, 1jo0510.
  14 - Earnest From arabon. See on 2co0122. He is the "earnest" or "down payment" or "guarantee" which brings the joys of salvation and which is a pattern of the holiness we will eventually have in Christ.
  14 - Purchased possession By His blood.
.15 ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
 16  Cease not 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 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
 18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
  17 - God of our Lord This is not to imply that Christ is less divine. See on jn1428.
.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,
.21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
  19 - Greatness of His power Something else we may experience. See jn0112. Many point out how we are weak and so cannot overcome sin. In our own strength we will lose the battle. Here is one of the promises that we can overcome.
  20 - Wrought in Christ ... raised That is not a limited power. See ep0201.
.22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
 23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
  22 - Under his feet See on 1co1524.
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