Ephesians 1:3-14
After his greeting of grace and Peace, Paul bursts out in an opening prayer:
3 Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that’s spiritually good in the heavenly world, 4 just as he chose us to be in him* before the beginning of this world so that in love we could be holy and without fault before him. 5 He decided in advance to adopt us as his children, working through Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. He was happy to do this because this is what he wanted. 6 So we praise him for his glorious grace that he so kindly gave us in his beloved Son.* 7 Through him we gain salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins as a result of his priceless grace 8 that he so generously provided for us, together with all wisdom and understanding.
9 He revealed to us his previously hidden will through which he was happy to pursue his plan 10 at the appropriate time to bring everyone* together in Christ—those in heaven and those on the earth. 11 In him—we were chosen beforehand. According to the plan of the one who is working everything out according to his will. 12 For the purpose that we* who were the first to hope in Christ could praise his glory. 13 In him—you* too have heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation. In him—because you trusted in him you were stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit’s promise, 14 which is a down-payment on our inheritance when God redeems what he’s kept safe for himself—us, who will praise and give him glory! 1
A Wonderful And Rich Celebration
As we read the above we are treated to a single long opening prayer, that in Greek is a single sentence. It is a wonderful and rich celebration that God has at last done what he said he would do. Paul declares all things accomplished are accomplished “in Him” (Christ, the King, the Messiah). It is in the King that we who share “in Him” become a part of His Kingdom.
Paul can’t say “in Him” often enough. The change from “we” in verse 11 to “you” (you all) makes it clear. The “we” refers to Israel. The you all to the Gentiles. With the resulting unification being “our inheritance”.
Blessing The Triune God
3 Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that’s spiritually good in the heavenly world,
Ephesians 1:1 blesses the readers. Here, in verse 3 the opening prayer is a blessing that turns to the Lord with praise for all His blessing to us. Whilst this is well before a time in history where any theology of the trinity was ever proposed, God the Father and Son (“Lord Jesus Messiah”) are all included in this one line.
“spiritually good” – Spirit-blessing (Lit. εὐλογίᾳ πνευματικῇ) emphasizes the giver of the blessing rather than the blessing itself. That is, it emphasises that it is God’s Spirit that is the giver of blessing. Below is my list of the spiritual blessings I think Paul is naming.
Challenge:
Before you read the list below, try to create a list of your own. My list may not be complete.
These Spirit-given blessings include:
- Election / chosen-ness in Him (1:4)
- Adoption as God’s children (1:5)
- Grace (1:6)
- Redemption (1:7a)
- Forgiveness of sins (1:7b)
- Knowledge of God’s secret purpose (1:9)
- Hope of a future inheritance (1:11-12)
- The presence of God’s Spirit (1:13-14)
Next: Ephesians 1:3-14 continued…
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1English: Free Bible Version Provided by: Free Bible Ministry, Inc. and open.bible, licensed under CC BY ND Published:
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