Ephesians Chapter 1 — Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Paul outlines the spiritual blessings believers receive through Christ, including adoption, redemption, and the seal of the Holy Spirit.
1Paul, an apostle of Christ*“Christ” means “Anointed One”. 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 him 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.
11We were also assigned an inheritance in him, 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†TR reads “understanding” instead of “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, authority, power, 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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ephesians 1:3
“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”
This verse sets the thematic stage for the chapter by focusing on the spiritual nature of the believer's inheritance.
Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace”
It clearly defines the basis of Christian redemption and the role of God's grace.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“In whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance”
These verses explain the role of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of God's promises to believers.
Chapter Summary
In the opening of his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul greets the faithful and immediately launches into a profound declaration of spiritual blessings. He explains that God chose believers before the world began to be holy and adopted as His children through Jesus Christ. This plan, driven by God's grace, includes redemption through Christ's blood and the forgiveness of sins. Paul highlights the mystery of God's will—to eventually unite all things in heaven and earth under Christ. He also notes that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which serves as a guarantee of their future inheritance. The chapter concludes with a prayer from Paul, asking that the readers receive wisdom and revelation to understand their hope and the immense power available to them. He describes Christ's exaltation, noting that God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, placing Him as the head over all things for the benefit of the church, which is described as His body.
Frequently Asked Questions
The spiritual blessings include being chosen by God, adoption into His family, redemption through Christ's blood, the forgiveness of sins, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit as an inheritance guarantee.
According to verses 13 and 14, being sealed with the Holy Spirit serves as a pledge or down payment on the believer's future inheritance, signifying God's ownership and protection until the final redemption.
The mystery refers to God's plan to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under the headship and authority of Christ in the fullness of time.
Paul states that Christ is seated at God's right hand, far above all rule and authority. God has put all things under His feet and appointed Him as the head over the church, which is His body.
Study Note
The Greek word 'arrhabōn' (translated as 'pledge' or 'earnest') in verse 14 was a legal and commercial term for a down payment that guaranteed the full amount would be paid.
Related Chapters
Romans Chapter 8
Both chapters discuss the theme of adoption as children of God and the role of the Spirit.
Colossians Chapter 1
Both letters emphasize the supremacy of Christ over all creation and His role as head of the church.
1 Peter Chapter 1
Like Ephesians 1, this chapter focuses on the concept of a spiritual inheritance and being chosen by God.
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