Ephesians 1
23 verses
Paul opens with a berakah (Jewish blessing) proclaiming every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ—the foundation of all that follows. Believers are chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, predestined for adoption as sons through Christ's blood and redemption, while God's will is revealed as a mystery (mysterion) to unite all things in Christ through anakephalaiōsis (recapitulation, a gathering-up of all creation under Christ as head). The Spirit is given as both seal and arrabon (down payment, earnest guarantee) of the coming inheritance, securing believers in their identity. Paul's intercessory prayer then ascends from this foundation: he petitions the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, asking that the eyes of the heart be enlightened to grasp the hope to which they are called and the surpassing greatness of God's power—the same resurrection dynamis that exalted Christ far above all cosmic rule and authority, seating him at the Father's right hand with all things subjected beneath his feet. The chapter culminates in Ephesians' most exalted Christology: Christ is head of the church, which is his body, the fullness (plērōma) of him who fills all in all, establishing the theological framework (chs. 1–3) upon which all ethical imperatives rest.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
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:
0 1Open verse page →
2
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 0Open verse page →
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:
0 2Open verse page →
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:
0 0Open verse page →
5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
1 1Open verse page →
6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
0 1Open verse page →
7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
0 0Open verse page →
8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
0 0Open verse page →
9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
0 0Open verse page →
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:
0 2Open verse page →
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:
1 2Open verse page →
12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
1 2Open verse page →
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,
0 0Open verse page →
14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
0 1Open verse page →
15
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
0 1Open verse page →
16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
0 1Open verse page →
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:
0 0Open verse page →
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,
0 2Open verse page →
19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
1 0Open verse page →
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,
0 1Open verse page →
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:
0 2Open verse page →
22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
0 0Open verse page →
23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
1 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No notes on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!