Ephesians1
King James Version · Public Domain
1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According 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:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That 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:
11In 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:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13In 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,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16Cease not 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 unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The 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,
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far 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:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ephesians 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in God's eternal election, as purchased by Christ's blood. (1–8). And as conveyed in effectual calling: this is applied to the believing Jews, and to the believing Gentiles. (9–14). The apostle thanks God for their faith and love, and prays for the continuance of their knowledge and hope, with respect to the heavenly inheritance, and to God's powerful working in them. (15–23).
vv1-2
All Christians must be saints; if they come not under that character on earth, they will never be saints in glory. Those are not saints, who are not faithful, believing in Christ, and true to the profession they make of relation to their Lord. By grace, understand the free and undeserved love and favour of God, and those graces of the Spirit which come from it; by peace, all other blessings, spiritual and temporal, the fruits of the former. No peace without grace. No peace, nor grace, but from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ; and the best saints need fresh supplies of the graces of the Spirit, and desire to grow.
vv3-8
Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation to himself. The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all its hatefulness, and how it deserves vengeance. The believer's actions, as well as his words, declare the praises of Divine mercy.
vv9-14
Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory.
Key Words
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
θέλημα (thélēma): a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ἅγιος (hágios): sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
ὤν (ṓn): being
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Cross References
Ephesians 1Direct parallel linking God's predestination with our adoption and being conformed to the image of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical verbal connection of believers being sealed by the Spirit and given the earnest.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly links putting all things under Christ's feet with Psalm 8:6 and His ultimate rule.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus declares God is both 'my Father' and 'your Father', illuminating 'God and Father of Christ'.
Supported by JFB
Clarifies the term 'heavenly places' where believers are seated together in Christ.
Supported by JFB
Parallels election in Christ 'before the world began' and its purpose of holiness.
Supported by JFB
Parallels having obtained an inheritance and being made meet for the inheritance of saints.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the creation and subjection of principalities, powers, dominions, and visible/invisible thrones to Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The Old Testament messianic authority passage quoted directly by Paul regarding all things under His feet.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Christ being the Head of the body, which is the church, having preeminence.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Pauline salutation using identical words: 'Grace to you and peace from God... and Jesus Christ'.
Supported by JFB
Confirms Christ as the source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Demonstrates election is based on God's purpose, before the children were born.
Supported by John Calvin
Links election according to the foreknowledge of God with the sanctification of the Spirit.
Supported by JFB
Connects adoption of sons with the Spirit of the Son sent into our hearts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Identifies Jesus as 'the Beloved' in whom we are accepted, echoing the Father's voice.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallels redemption/forgiveness through His blood with purchasing the church with His own blood.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Matches 'fulness of times' with 'fulness of the time' when God sent His Son.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Describes the nature of the inheritance reserved in heaven for those who are kept.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic fulfillment of Christ sitting at the Father's right hand in heavenly places.
Supported by JFB
Confirms Christ's ascension into heaven, with angels, authorities, and powers being made subject to Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains the theological scope of God putting all things in subjection under Christ's feet.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reiterates that Christ is the Head of the church and Savior of the body.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Explains Christ's fullness, dwelling bodily in Him, which fills the Church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Expounds on Christ ascending far above all heavens to fill all things.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Links adoption with the Spirit whereby we cry 'Abba, Father'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Further unfolds the 'mystery of his will' made known to the apostle.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Paul's farewell to Ephesian elders mentioning the word of grace and an inheritance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats that believers are 'sealed' by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels hearing the word of truth/gospel of salvation and exhibiting faith and love.
Supported by JFB
Confirms that God has given us the 'earnest of the Spirit' as a guarantee.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Highlights believers as a 'peculiar people' or purchased possession showing forth God's praises.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
A key ecclesiological parallel identifying believers corporately as the body of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Shows how believers receive grace upon grace out of Christ's infinite fullness.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Connects Christ's dwelling in believers to being filled with all the fullness of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Intra-chapter link clarifying 'the good pleasure of his will'.
Supported by JFB