Ephesians 1

1 Paul [a delegate of Jesus Christ], an apostle of Christ Jesus [the Messiah, the Anointed One] by the will [purpose, intention] of God [the supreme deity], To the saints [holy ones, set apart] in Ephesus [a city in Asia Minor], the faithful [trustworthy, loyal] in Christ Jesus [the Son of God, the Savior]: word study 2 Grace [unmerited favor, divine kindness] and peace [harmony, prosperity, freedom from war] to you [as individuals, directly addressed] from God [the Father, supreme deity] our Father [the male parent, creator] and the Lord [master, ruler] Jesus [God is salvation] Christ [the anointed one, Messiah]. word study 3 Blessed [praiseworthy, worthy of admiration] be the God [the supreme deity, Creator] and Father [the paternal source, author of life] of our Lord Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], who has blessed [bestowed spiritual gifts, praised] us in Christ [the heavenly realm, spiritual union] with every spiritual [non-carnal, supernatural] blessing [benefit, gift] in the heavenly [celestial, divine] realms [places, spheres]. word study 4 For He chose [selected, elected] us in Him [in union with Christ] before [prior to, preceding] the foundation [beginning, conception] of the world [the cosmos, creation] to be holy [set apart, sanctified] and blameless [without fault, unblemished] in His presence [before Him, in His sight]. In love [unconditional, divine affection] word study 5 He predestined [having foreordained, decided in advance] us for adoption [as sons, to be His children] as His sons [children, kids] through Jesus Christ [the Messiah, God’s anointed], according to [in line with, following] the good pleasure [satisfaction, goodwill] of His will [desire, intention], word study 6 to the praise [adoration, worship] of His glorious [resplendent, honorable] grace [unmerited favor, divine influence], which He has freely given [bestowed, granted] us in the Beloved One [His dear Son, the Loved One]. word study 7 In Him [through His divine nature] we have redemption [salvation, liberation from sin] through His blood [the atoning sacrifice], the forgiveness [pardon, remission] of our trespasses [sins], according to [in line with, following] the riches [abundance, wealth] of His grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] word study 8 that He lavished [abounded, superabounded] on us [toward us, in our direction] with all [every, complete] wisdom [spiritual understanding, insight] and [also, in addition to] understanding [prudence, discernment, having insight]. word study 9 And He has made known [revealed, disclosed] to us the mystery [a secret or hidden truth] of His will [desire, intention] according to [in line with, following] His good pleasure [satisfaction, kindness], which He purposed [planned, proposed] in Christ [through Jesus, by means of the things Christ would do] word study 10 as a plan [management, administration] for the fullness [completion, fulfillment] of time [the right time, opportune moment], to bring [gather, sum up] all things [everything, the whole universe] in heaven [the spiritual realm, the sky] and on earth [the physical world, the land] together [into one, unified] in Christ [the Anointed One, the Messiah]. word study 11 In Him [as our spiritual union, in Christ] we were also chosen [obtained an inheritance, made a heritage] as God’s own [beloved, special people], having been predestined [foreordained, marked out from the first] according to the plan [purpose, counsel] of Him who works out [is working, accomplishes] everything by the counsel [will, desire] of His will [intention, choice], word study 12 in order that we [who first trusted, had before hoped], who were the first to hope [place our confidence, trust beforehand] in Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], would be [exist, live] for the praise [honor, approval] of His glory [honor, admiration, divine splendor]. word study 13 And in Him [in the sphere of His presence, through faith], having heard [listened and understood, with spiritual ears] and believed [trusted, put faith in] the word [Logos, the divine message] of truth [genuine, unchanging reality]—the gospel [good news, message of salvation] of your salvation [rescue, deliverance from sin]—you were sealed [marked, authenticated] with the promised [pledged, guaranteed] Holy Spirit [the divine Presence, Helper], word study 14 who is the pledge [guarantee, down payment] of our inheritance [heavenly possession, eternal legacy] until the redemption [liberation, freedom from sin] of those who are God’s [possessed by God, belonging to Him] possession, to the praise [honor, worship] of His glory [divine splendor, heavenly radiance]. word study 15 For this reason [because of this cause], ever since I heard [and understood, having been informed] about your faith [trust, confidence] in the Lord Jesus [the Messiah, God’s Anointed] and your love [unconditional affection, agape] for all [every single one] the saints [holy ones, set apart for God], word study 16 I have not stopped [ceased, quit] giving thanks [expressing gratitude, being thankful] for you [on your behalf, in your favor], remembering [making mention, keeping in mind] you [specifically, personally] in my prayers [times of prayer, communion with God], word study 17 that the God [of glory, our heavenly Father] of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious [Father of glory, worthy of praise] Father, may give you a spirit [breath of life, divine energy] of wisdom [higher understanding, spiritual insight] and revelation [unveiling of truth, divine disclosure] in your knowledge [deep understanding, intimate awareness] of Him. word study 18 I ask that the eyes [of understanding, spiritual vision] of your heart [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions] may be enlightened [illuminated, shine light on], so that you may know [perceive, see] the hope [expectation, trust in God’s goodness] of His calling [invitation to salvation], the riches [wealth, abundant blessings] of His glorious [full of honor, praise] inheritance [possession, gift] in the saints [holy, set apart ones], word study 19 and the surpassing [exceeding, beyond measure] greatness [magnitude, vastness] of His power [strength, ability] to us who believe [trust, have faith]. These are in accordance with the working [active energy, operation] of His mighty [powerful, vigorous] strength [power, might], word study 20 which [the divine power] He exerted [demonstrated, worked] in Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] when He raised [caused to arise, brought back to life] Him from the dead [the state of being lifeless, spiritually or physically] and seated [placed, set] Him at His right [the position of honor and authority] hand in the heavenly [celestial, spiritual] realms [places, domains], word study 21 far above [beyond all comparison] all rule [principality, authority] and authority, power [might, strength] and dominion [lordship, control], and every name [title, reputation] that is named [recognized, acknowledged], not only [exclusively] in the present age [this world, current time] but also [in addition] in the one [age, era] to come [that is to ensue, the future]. word study 22 And God [the supreme Ruler] put everything [all things, the universe] under His feet [in subjection, under His authority] and made Him [Christ, the Messiah] head [the supreme Leader, ruler] over everything [all things, the church] for the church [the assembly, the community of believers], word study 23 which is His body [the church, His physical representation], the fullness [completion, perfection] of Him who fills [completes, satisfies] all [every person, everything] in all [every place, every aspect of life]. word study