Ephesians 1
BSB1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ. 11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Study Notes — Ephesians 1
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Ephesians 1
- Themes from Ephesians 1
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Ephesians 1
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Ephesians 1 begins with a greeting from the apostle Paul to the saints in Ephesus, expressing his gratitude for their faith and love. He then launches into a praise of God's spiritual blessings in Christ, including election, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The chapter culminates in a prayer for the believers, asking that they may know the hope of their calling, the riches of God's inheritance, and the power of God at work in them. Key verses include Ephesians 1:3-14, which describe the spiritual blessings, and Ephesians 1:15-23, which contain the apostle's prayer for the believers.
Context for the Chapter
Ephesians chapter 1 is an introduction to the book of Ephesians, which is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. The chapter sets the tone for the rest of the book, which emphasizes the importance of understanding our position in Christ and the unity of the church. The chapter is also part of the larger narrative of the New Testament, which describes the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the spread of the gospel to all nations.
Heart Application
The chapter has significant implications for believers today, as it reminds us of our spiritual blessings in Christ and the importance of understanding our position in Him. It encourages us to live a life that is worthy of our calling, to walk in a manner that is pleasing to God, and to trust in the power of God at work in us. As we reflect on the chapter, we are reminded to praise God for His blessings, to trust in His power, and to live a life that honors Him.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Ephesians chapter 1 is about the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ. It reminds us that we are chosen, adopted, and redeemed by God, and that we have the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance. The chapter encourages us to trust in God's power and to live a life that honors Him, as seen in Ephesians 1:3-14 and Ephesians 1:15-23.
Voices from the Church
“The whole sum of our salvation, and all the parts of it, are here briefly comprehended. For if we are blessed in Christ, if we are chosen before the foundation of the world, if we are adopted into the family of God, if we are redeemed from sin and death, if we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, what more can we desire or wish for?”
— John Calvin
“The blessings of the gospel are not limited to this life, but extend to the life to come. The believer's inheritance is not only in this world, but in the world to come, and it is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction and Greeting (Ephesians 1:1-2) — The apostle Paul greets the saints in Ephesus, expressing his gratitude for their faith and love.
- The Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14) — The chapter describes the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, including election, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.
- The Apostle's Prayer for the Believers (Ephesians 1:15-23) — The apostle Paul prays for the believers, asking that they may know the hope of their calling, the riches of God's inheritance, and the power of God at work in them.
- The Power of God at Work (Ephesians 1:19-23) — The chapter culminates in a description of the power of God at work in believers, which is able to accomplish far more than they can ask or think.
- Conclusion (Ephesians 1:23) — The chapter concludes with a description of the church as the body of Christ, with Christ as the head, and emphasizes the importance of understanding our position in Him.
Core Doctrines
- Election
- The doctrine of election is emphasized in Ephesians 1:4-5, which describes God's choice of believers before the foundation of the world.
- Adoption
- The doctrine of adoption is described in Ephesians 1:5, which explains that believers are adopted into the family of God.
- Redemption
- The doctrine of redemption is emphasized in Ephesians 1:7, which describes Christ's work in redeeming believers from sin and its consequences.
- The Trinity
- The chapter highlights the work of the Trinity in salvation, with the Father choosing us, the Son redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit sealing us.
Lessons from Ephesians 1
- The Importance of Understanding Our Position in Christ — The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding our position in Christ, including our election, adoption, and redemption.
- The Power of God at Work in Believers — The chapter describes the power of God at work in believers, which is able to accomplish far more than they can ask or think.
- The Trinity at Work in Salvation — The chapter highlights the work of the Trinity in salvation, with the Father choosing us, the Son redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit sealing us.
- The Significance of the Holy Spirit's Sealing — The chapter explains the significance of the Holy Spirit's sealing of believers, which guarantees their inheritance and preserves them until the day of redemption.
- The Relationship Between the Church and Christ — The chapter describes the relationship between the church and Christ, with Christ as the head and the church as His body.
Themes from Ephesians 1
- Spiritual Blessings in Christ — The chapter emphasizes the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, including election, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.
- The Trinity at Work in Salvation — The chapter highlights the work of the Trinity in salvation, with the Father choosing us, the Son redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit sealing us.
- The Power of God at Work in Believers — The chapter describes the power of God at work in believers, which is able to accomplish far more than they can ask or think.
- The Importance of Understanding Our Position in Christ — The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding our position in Christ, including our election, adoption, and redemption.
- The Relationship Between the Church and Christ — The chapter describes the relationship between the church and Christ, with Christ as the head and the church as His body.
Questions for Meditation
- What are the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, and how do they impact our lives?
- How does the doctrine of election relate to our understanding of God's sovereignty and our salvation?
- What is the significance of the Holy Spirit's sealing of believers, and how does it guarantee our inheritance?
- How can we trust in God's power at work in us, and what are the implications of this for our daily lives?
- What is the relationship between the church and Christ, and how does this impact our understanding of our position in Him?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction and Greeting (Ephesians 1:1-2)
| 1:1 | The apostle Paul greets the saints in Ephesus, expressing his gratitude for their faith and love. |
| 1:2 | The apostle Paul wishes grace and peace to the believers from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
2. The Spiritual Blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14)
| 1:3 | The apostle Paul blesses God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. |
| 1:4 | The apostle Paul describes God's choice of believers before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. |
| 1:5 | The apostle Paul explains that God predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. |
| 1:6 | The apostle Paul describes the praise of the glory of God's grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. |
| 1:7 | The apostle Paul explains that in Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God's grace. |
| 1:8 | The apostle Paul describes the abundance of God's grace, which He lavished on us, and the wisdom and insight that He gave us. |
| 1:9 | The apostle Paul explains that God made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Christ. |
| 1:10 | The apostle Paul describes the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. |
| 1:11 | The apostle Paul explains that we were predestined according to God's purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. |
| 1:12 | The apostle Paul describes the hope of God's calling, which is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. |
| 1:13 | The apostle Paul explains that in Christ we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance. |
| 1:14 | The apostle Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance, until the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. |
3. The Apostle's Prayer for the Believers (Ephesians 1:15-23)
| 1:15 | The apostle Paul gives thanks for the believers, remembering them in his prayers. |
| 1:16 | The apostle Paul does not cease giving thanks for the believers, making mention of them in his prayers. |
| 1:17 | The apostle Paul asks that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give the believers a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. |
| 1:18 | The apostle Paul asks that the eyes of the believers' hearts may be enlightened, so that they may know the hope of God's calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. |
| 1:19 | The apostle Paul asks that the believers may know the surpassing greatness of God's power toward them, which is according to the working of the strength of His might. |
| 1:20 | The apostle Paul describes the power of God, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. |
| 1:21 | The apostle Paul explains that God seated Christ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. |
| 1:22 | The apostle Paul describes God's putting all things in subjection under Christ's feet, and giving Him as head over all things to the church. |
| 1:23 | The apostle Paul explains that the church is Christ's body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ?
The spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ include election, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit, as described in Ephesians 1:3-14.
How does the doctrine of election relate to our understanding of God's sovereignty and our salvation?
The doctrine of election relates to our understanding of God's sovereignty and our salvation by emphasizing God's choice of believers before the foundation of the world, as described in Ephesians 1:4-5.
What is the significance of the Holy Spirit's sealing of believers?
The Holy Spirit's sealing of believers guarantees their inheritance and preserves them until the day of redemption, as described in Ephesians 1:13-14.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ephesians 1:4 → Romans 8:29 | The doctrine of election is also described in Romans 8:29, which explains that God foreknew and predestined believers to be conformed to the image of Christ. |
| 2 | Ephesians 1:7 → Colossians 1:14 | The doctrine of redemption is also described in Colossians 1:14, which explains that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Christ. |
| 3 | Ephesians 1:13 → 2 Corinthians 1:22 | The Holy Spirit's sealing of believers is also described in 2 Corinthians 1:22, which explains that God gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of our inheritance. |
| 4 | Ephesians 1:20 → Psalm 110:1 | The power of God is also described in Psalm 110:1, which explains that God said to Christ, 'Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.' |
| 5 | Ephesians 1:22 → Matthew 28:18 | The authority of Christ is also described in Matthew 28:18, which explains that Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth. |
| 6 | Ephesians 1:23 → 1 Corinthians 12:27 | The relationship between the church and Christ is also described in 1 Corinthians 12:27, which explains that we are Christ's body, and individually members of it. |
| 7 | Ephesians 1:3 → 1 Peter 1:3 | The spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ are also described in 1 Peter 1:3, which explains that God has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. |
| 8 | Ephesians 1:17 → Colossians 1:9 | The apostle Paul's prayer for the believers is also described in Colossians 1:9, which explains that he prays for them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. |
| 9 | Ephesians 1:19 → Isaiah 40:26 | The power of God is also described in Isaiah 40:26, which explains that God is the One who gives strength to the weary, and increases power to the faint. |
| 10 | Ephesians 1:22 → Hebrews 2:8 | The authority of Christ is also described in Hebrews 2:8, which explains that God has put all things in subjection under Christ's feet, and given Him as head over all things to the church. |
Sermons on Ephesians 1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Chosen to Be Holy by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of holiness and the responsibility that believers have to strive for it. He highlights that this convention is of utmost impor |
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(1 Peter - Part 16): christ...foreordained, Manifest by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker expresses a deep sense of urgency and awareness of the approaching judgment of God. He emphasizes that the earth is growing old and that a mere blink of |
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At the Price of God's Own Blood by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper emphasizes the importance of holiness, zeal for good works, and commitment to world evangelization. He highlights that Jesus bled and died to purc |
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Knowing Jesus by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the idea that many people have been "house trained" or "brainwashed" into thinking that once they make a decision to follow God and attend ch |
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Be Rich: Saints Alive by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the characteristics of a saint. He explains that a saint is someone who has trusted in God's Son and experienced His grace. Additionally, a s |
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(Deeper Waters) Session 4 - Prayer by David Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of serving God and the different areas of ministry. He emphasizes the importance of worship as the first priority in serving God. |
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Bondage Breaker - Part 1 by Neil T. Anderson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not committing sexual sins and using our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness. He highlights the need to present our bo |
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The Greatest Text in the Bible by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the choices we make in life and compares the idea of being confronted by a huge, intimidating man versus a small Martian. The speaker emphasiz |
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Are You Preventing Christ's Return by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding freedom in Jesus Christ. He uses the example of a blind man, George Madison, who is given a picture of the queen. |
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Full Potential of Grace by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead emphasizes the transformative power of grace in the life of a believer, urging the congregation to present their entire selves to Christ so that He may live through |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ephesians 1
In this chapter, the apostle Paul begins by expressing his gratitude for the faith and love of the believers in Ephesus, and then launches into a praise of God's spiritual blessings in Christ. He emphasizes the doctrine of election, the work of the Trinity in salvation, and the importance of understanding our position in Christ. The chapter culminates in a prayer for the believers, asking that they may know the hope of their calling, the riches of God's inheritance, and the power of God at work in them. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The blessings of the gospel are not limited to this life, but extend to the life to come.' The chapter is a rich description of the spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ, and encourages us to trust in God's power and to live a life that honors Him. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Trinity at Work
The chapter highlights the work of the Trinity in salvation, with the Father choosing us, the Son redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit sealing us. This is evident in verses such as Ephesians 1:3-6, which describe the Father's blessing, Ephesians 1:7, which describes the Son's redemption, and Ephesians 1:13-14, which describes the Holy Spirit's sealing.
The Importance of Understanding Our Position
The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding our position in Christ, including our election, adoption, and redemption. This is seen in verses such as Ephesians 1:4-5, which describe our election and adoption, and Ephesians 1:7, which describes our redemption.
The Power of God at Work
The chapter culminates in a prayer that asks for the believers to know the power of God at work in them, which is able to accomplish far more than they can ask or think. This is evident in Ephesians 1:19-23, which describes the power of God and the believers' inheritance in Christ.