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Ephesians illustration

Ephesians 1 KJV

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Epistles/Letters 3 min 23 verses Paul

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

The benediction spanning verses 3-14 constitutes one extended sentence in the Greek, weaving together election, adoption, redemption, and sealing into a single syntactic arc that mirrors the indivisible unity of God's eternal purpose. Themes: Holiness, Sovereignty of God, Redemption

P1๐Ÿ”—aul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2๐Ÿ”— Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3๐Ÿ”— Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4๐Ÿ”— According 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:

5๐Ÿ”— Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6๐Ÿ”— To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7๐Ÿ”— In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8๐Ÿ”— Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9๐Ÿ”— Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10๐Ÿ”— That 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:

11๐Ÿ”— In 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:

12๐Ÿ”— That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13๐Ÿ”— In 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,

14๐Ÿ”— Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15๐Ÿ”— Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16๐Ÿ”— Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17๐Ÿ”— That 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:

18๐Ÿ”— The 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,

19๐Ÿ”— And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20๐Ÿ”— Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21๐Ÿ”— Far 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:

22๐Ÿ”— And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23๐Ÿ”— Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain by โ€” rather, "through the will of God": called to the apostleship through that same "will" which originated the Church (Eph 1:5, 9, 11; compare Ga 1:4). which are at Ephesus โ€” (Seeโ€ฆ

Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Ephesians 1 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Inscription: origin of the church in the father's eternal counsel, and the son's bloodshedding: the sealing of it by the spirit. Thanksgiving and prayer that they may fully know God's gracious power in Christ towards the saints.

1
by โ€” rather, "through the will of God": called to the apostleship through that same "will" which originated the Church (Eph 1:5, 9, 11; compare Ga 1:4). which are at Ephesus โ€” (See Introduction.) to the saints... and to the faithful โ€” The same persons are referred to by both designations, as the Greek proves: "to those who are saints, and faithful in Christ Jesus." The sanctification by God is here put before man's faith. The twofold aspect of salvation is thus presented, God's grace in the first instance sanctifying us, (that is, setting us apart in His eternal purposes as holy unto Himself); and our faith, by God's gift, laying hold of salvation (2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2).
2
(Ro 1:7; 1Co 1:3; 2Co 1:2; Ga 1:3).
Read all 24 notes on Ephesians 1 โ†’

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Chapter Context

Did You Know?

1

The benediction spanning verses 3-14 constitutes one extended sentence in the Greek, weaving together election, adoption, redemption, and sealing into a single syntactic arc that mirrors the indivisible unity of God's eternal purpose.

2

The commercial term 'earnest' (arrabลn) in verse 14 portrays the Holy Spirit as a down-payment guaranteeing believers' future inheritance, importing marketplace language into Pauline pneumatology.

3

Twice the chapter employs 'predestinated' to describe God's pre-cosmic decision, yet frames it within the sphere 'in Christ,' distinguishing it from deterministic philosophies of the era.

4

The repeated spatial phrase 'in heavenly places' anchors Christ's exaltation above all powers (v. 20) and locates believers' blessings there, forging a vertical axis that contrasts with the horizontal 'mystery of his will' revealed in time.

5

Paul's prayer invokes 'the eyes of your understanding being enlightened,' a metaphor blending Hellenistic notions of inner vision with Old Testament imagery of divine illumination to request experiential knowledge of resurrection power.

6
Paul

While supporting his missionary work, Paul practiced the trade of tentmaking alongside Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth, a skill he leveraged to remain financially independent from many churches and avoid charges of exploiting converts for money.

7
Tychicus

Although modern readers often overlook it, Tychicus was probably the courier who personally delivered the letter to Philemon along with the Epistle to the Colossians, giving him authority to mediate the sensitive case of the runaway slave Onesimus.

8
Ephesus

Paul spent more time in Ephesus (3 years) than any other city on his journeys.