Ephesians 1: Discovering Your Spiritual Riches in Christ
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
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:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
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:
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:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
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:
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,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
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:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
The book of Ephesians 1 is a treasure map, guiding us to the immeasurable riches we possess in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul, in this letter, unveils God's magnificent plan for believers, emphasizing grace, adoption, and the power available to us through our union with Christ. Understanding Ephesians 1 is key to unlocking a deeper understanding of our identity and purpose as Christians.
Context: Doctrine and Practical Living
Ephesians is neatly divided into two sections: the first three chapters lay a foundation of doctrine, while the final three explore practical application. Ephesians 1 sets the stage by establishing the profound value of our salvation in Christ and the abundant blessings that flow from it. Paul begins with praise, directing our attention to God and detailing the inheritance we have in heaven. This chapter serves as the bedrock upon which Paul builds his instructions on how Christians should live.
Introduction: Grace and Peace (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul begins with his customary greeting, identifying himself as the author and addressing the "saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1). He extends grace and peace, gifts that originate from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2). This familiar greeting underscores the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built: His unmerited favor and the resulting peace that surpasses understanding.
Every Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenly Places (Ephesians 1:3-14)
This section is a breathtaking panorama of the spiritual blessings available to believers. Paul launches into a long, complex sentence in the original Greek, a cascade of praise celebrating what we possess through Christ's sacrifice.
Worship: Blessed Be God (Ephesians 1:3)
Paul begins with worship: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). To bless God is to speak well of Him, to praise Him for who He is, what He has done, and what we trust Him to do. God is not interested in spectators. He invites us to actively praise Him.
The Realm of Spiritual Blessings
These blessings are not earthly or material, but "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). The "heavenly places" refer to the spiritual realm, where God and Satan battle for our allegiance. What happens in the physical realm often originates in the spiritual realm. Conflicts in our homes, for example, have spiritual roots. Therefore, we need a spiritual perspective to overcome earthly circumstances.
God has already done everything He will ever do for believers, blessing them with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. We are "seated" there with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). We are physically located on earth but operate from heavenly places. God wants our position there to dictate our activity on earth. Only by operating from a spiritual perspective will we have access to God’s kingdom power and provisions to deal victoriously with life in the physical realm.
Chosen Before Time (Ephesians 1:4)
Before the foundation of the world, God "chose us in Him to be holy and blameless before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). This speaks to God's sovereign initiative. He selected us, not based on anything we did, but according to His own gracious purpose. This choosing positions us to experience the blessings of God, which have already been preordained for us.
Predestined for Adoption (Ephesians 1:5-6)
Paul introduces the concept of predestination: "He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:5-6). God predetermined to bring a group of people into his family, drafting them into his Son for the goal of receiving spiritual benefits and manifesting his heavenly rule in their lives and bringing him glory. Election is for service and spiritual benefit, not for individual, personal salvation.
Adoption in the ancient world meant receiving the same rights, privileges, and inheritance due to a natural-born adult son. In Christ, God adopts sons and daughters for himself for a specific purpose. Once you’re adopted because of your faith in Christ, you are defined by your new Father. God gives all of his children access to every spiritual blessing—according to his good pleasure and to the praise of his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:5-6).
Redemption Through Christ's Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Central to our blessings is redemption: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us" (Ephesians 1:7-8). In the ancient world, slaves could be redeemed; a price could be paid for their freedom. Redemption from sin comes through the price paid by Jesus Christ through his blood (Ephesians 1:7). Why blood? Because the judgment for sin is death (Romans 6:23), and shedding blood means taking life (see Deuteronomy 12:23). The sinless Son of God had to die to pay for our sins so we might have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7)—God’s grace richly poured out on us (Ephesians 1:8).
God's Mystery Revealed (Ephesians 1:9-12)
God doesn’t save people just so they can go to heaven when they die. He saves them so they transfer kingdoms—leaving the kingdom of darkness for the kingdom of Christ, their new King. Through God’s “wisdom and understanding,” he has planned to bring everything together in Christ (Ephesians 1:8-10), to bring all history under his rule. In Christ, things in heaven and things on earth are unified (Ephesians 1:10) so that we might be aligned under God’s kingdom reign, living transformed lives for his pleasure. God works out everything in agreement with his purpose and will (Ephesians 1:11) to advance this Christ-centered philosophy of history. Nothing is left to chance. All is for the praise of his glory and the exaltation of his Son (Ephesians 1:12).
Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
The culmination of these blessings is the sealing with the Holy Spirit: "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14). Whoever hears and believes the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Official documents were sealed in antiquity, implying protection and ownership. When you believe in Christ as your Savior, God puts you inside an envelope called Christ. You are “in Christ.” But God also guarantees delivery. He registers the letter and seals it with the Holy Spirit—indicating that he is its owner and the only one qualified to open it.
The Holy Spirit is God’s pledge to us—the down payment of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14), the guarantee that God will do for us everything he promised for his children. Like an engagement ring, the Holy Spirit is like a down payment on an eternal commitment. The Spirit is a heavenly first installment given in anticipation of eternal life, a life that is eternally secure. He’s a foretaste of what’s ahead. This sealing is a powerful symbol of ownership and security, assuring us of our future inheritance.
Thanksgiving and Prayer for Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Paul transitions from praise to intercession, expressing his gratitude for the Ephesians' faith and love (Ephesians 1:15-16).
A Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom is effectively applying divine truth to the twists, turns, and dangers of everyday life. But Paul correlates the ability to be wise with the knowledge of God. Knowing God and being wise are tied together. Trying to be wise without knowing God is like flying a plane without having a control tower to help you navigate. We all need the help of someone who can see what we can’t.
He further prays that "the eyes of [their] hearts may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:18). When you are adopted into God’s family, your life has a customized purpose. God himself has called you. Not only that, but you’re also spiritually wealthy. There are no spiritually poor people in God’s family. “Every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3) is banked in a deposit box with your name on it.
Paul wants the Ephesians to be aware of their family privileges. Knowing who their Daddy is has staggering implications. Many Christians are living spiritually poor lives, while sitting on a pile of spiritual wealth. While God holds most of your spiritual inheritance for eternity, he will give you what you need now to fulfill his purpose for you.
The Immeasurable Power of God (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Paul prays that the Ephesians would understand "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:19-20). He didn’t say he wants them to know God’s power—but the immeasurable greatness of his power. He wants them to know that God can flip, turn, and twist things in their lives. You’re not supposed to be an average human being. If you’re a believer in Jesus, you’re a candidate to see the working of God’s immeasurably great power in your life.
This power is demonstrated in Christ's resurrection and ascension, His exaltation above all authority and power (Ephesians 1:20-21). So, if your circumstances are bad, remember that God’s immeasurably great power raised Jesus from the dead. You don’t get worse circumstances than that! And that same resurrection power is available to you. Through your connection to Jesus, God can invade the circumstances of your life and demonstrate his sufficiency.
Christ is now seated above every ruler and authority, power and dominion (Ephesians 1:21). You know someone who sits in “heavenly places” in the seat of highest authority, and you’re seated right there with him (Ephesians 2:6)! Whatever you’re dealing with, then, doesn’t have final say; it doesn’t have to define your life. Moreover, Christ has the right to override—veto—your decisions. Only if you align your life under his rule will you see his agenda demonstrated in your circumstances.
Finally, Paul emphasizes that Christ is the head over all things for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). God the Father has appointed his Son as head over everything for the church, which is his body. Jesus Christ, the one who has dominion over all things (kingdom authority), has only been given to the church. So only the church, operating under Christ’s kingdom authority (i.e., headship), can give the world a picture of what life under God’s kingdom authority looks like. And as the church does this, Christ fills it with his powerful presence (Ephesians 1:22-23). The more the church fulfills Christ’s kingdom mission, the more the church will experience his presence and power as it infiltrates every area of society as his kingdom representative.
Ephesians 1 is an invitation to explore the vastness of God's grace and power, to understand our identity as adopted children, and to live in the fullness of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ Jesus. It's a call to worship, to seek wisdom, and to experience the immeasurable power that is available to those who believe.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
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:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
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:
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:
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
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:
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,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
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:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
The book of Ephesians 1 is a treasure map, guiding us to the immeasurable riches we possess in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul, in this letter, unveils God's magnificent plan for believers, emphasizing grace, adoption, and the power available to us through our union with Christ. Understanding Ephesians 1 is key to unlocking a deeper understanding of our identity and purpose as Christians.
Context: Doctrine and Practical Living
Ephesians is neatly divided into two sections: the first three chapters lay a foundation of doctrine, while the final three explore practical application. Ephesians 1 sets the stage by establishing the profound value of our salvation in Christ and the abundant blessings that flow from it. Paul begins with praise, directing our attention to God and detailing the inheritance we have in heaven. This chapter serves as the bedrock upon which Paul builds his instructions on how Christians should live.
Introduction: Grace and Peace (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul begins with his customary greeting, identifying himself as the author and addressing the "saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1). He extends grace and peace, gifts that originate from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2). This familiar greeting underscores the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built: His unmerited favor and the resulting peace that surpasses understanding.
Every Spiritual Blessing in the Heavenly Places (Ephesians 1:3-14)
This section is a breathtaking panorama of the spiritual blessings available to believers. Paul launches into a long, complex sentence in the original Greek, a cascade of praise celebrating what we possess through Christ's sacrifice.
Worship: Blessed Be God (Ephesians 1:3)
Paul begins with worship: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). To bless God is to speak well of Him, to praise Him for who He is, what He has done, and what we trust Him to do. God is not interested in spectators. He invites us to actively praise Him.
The Realm of Spiritual Blessings
These blessings are not earthly or material, but "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). The "heavenly places" refer to the spiritual realm, where God and Satan battle for our allegiance. What happens in the physical realm often originates in the spiritual realm. Conflicts in our homes, for example, have spiritual roots. Therefore, we need a spiritual perspective to overcome earthly circumstances.
God has already done everything He will ever do for believers, blessing them with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. We are "seated" there with Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). We are physically located on earth but operate from heavenly places. God wants our position there to dictate our activity on earth. Only by operating from a spiritual perspective will we have access to God’s kingdom power and provisions to deal victoriously with life in the physical realm.
Chosen Before Time (Ephesians 1:4)
Before the foundation of the world, God "chose us in Him to be holy and blameless before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). This speaks to God's sovereign initiative. He selected us, not based on anything we did, but according to His own gracious purpose. This choosing positions us to experience the blessings of God, which have already been preordained for us.
Predestined for Adoption (Ephesians 1:5-6)
Paul introduces the concept of predestination: "He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:5-6). God predetermined to bring a group of people into his family, drafting them into his Son for the goal of receiving spiritual benefits and manifesting his heavenly rule in their lives and bringing him glory. Election is for service and spiritual benefit, not for individual, personal salvation.
Adoption in the ancient world meant receiving the same rights, privileges, and inheritance due to a natural-born adult son. In Christ, God adopts sons and daughters for himself for a specific purpose. Once you’re adopted because of your faith in Christ, you are defined by your new Father. God gives all of his children access to every spiritual blessing—according to his good pleasure and to the praise of his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:5-6).
Redemption Through Christ's Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8)
Central to our blessings is redemption: "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us" (Ephesians 1:7-8). In the ancient world, slaves could be redeemed; a price could be paid for their freedom. Redemption from sin comes through the price paid by Jesus Christ through his blood (Ephesians 1:7). Why blood? Because the judgment for sin is death (Romans 6:23), and shedding blood means taking life (see Deuteronomy 12:23). The sinless Son of God had to die to pay for our sins so we might have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7)—God’s grace richly poured out on us (Ephesians 1:8).
God's Mystery Revealed (Ephesians 1:9-12)
God doesn’t save people just so they can go to heaven when they die. He saves them so they transfer kingdoms—leaving the kingdom of darkness for the kingdom of Christ, their new King. Through God’s “wisdom and understanding,” he has planned to bring everything together in Christ (Ephesians 1:8-10), to bring all history under his rule. In Christ, things in heaven and things on earth are unified (Ephesians 1:10) so that we might be aligned under God’s kingdom reign, living transformed lives for his pleasure. God works out everything in agreement with his purpose and will (Ephesians 1:11) to advance this Christ-centered philosophy of history. Nothing is left to chance. All is for the praise of his glory and the exaltation of his Son (Ephesians 1:12).
Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
The culmination of these blessings is the sealing with the Holy Spirit: "In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14). Whoever hears and believes the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Official documents were sealed in antiquity, implying protection and ownership. When you believe in Christ as your Savior, God puts you inside an envelope called Christ. You are “in Christ.” But God also guarantees delivery. He registers the letter and seals it with the Holy Spirit—indicating that he is its owner and the only one qualified to open it.
The Holy Spirit is God’s pledge to us—the down payment of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14), the guarantee that God will do for us everything he promised for his children. Like an engagement ring, the Holy Spirit is like a down payment on an eternal commitment. The Spirit is a heavenly first installment given in anticipation of eternal life, a life that is eternally secure. He’s a foretaste of what’s ahead. This sealing is a powerful symbol of ownership and security, assuring us of our future inheritance.
Thanksgiving and Prayer for Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:15-23)
Paul transitions from praise to intercession, expressing his gratitude for the Ephesians' faith and love (Ephesians 1:15-16).
A Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:17-18)
Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom is effectively applying divine truth to the twists, turns, and dangers of everyday life. But Paul correlates the ability to be wise with the knowledge of God. Knowing God and being wise are tied together. Trying to be wise without knowing God is like flying a plane without having a control tower to help you navigate. We all need the help of someone who can see what we can’t.
He further prays that "the eyes of [their] hearts may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:18). When you are adopted into God’s family, your life has a customized purpose. God himself has called you. Not only that, but you’re also spiritually wealthy. There are no spiritually poor people in God’s family. “Every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3) is banked in a deposit box with your name on it.
Paul wants the Ephesians to be aware of their family privileges. Knowing who their Daddy is has staggering implications. Many Christians are living spiritually poor lives, while sitting on a pile of spiritual wealth. While God holds most of your spiritual inheritance for eternity, he will give you what you need now to fulfill his purpose for you.
The Immeasurable Power of God (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Paul prays that the Ephesians would understand "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:19-20). He didn’t say he wants them to know God’s power—but the immeasurable greatness of his power. He wants them to know that God can flip, turn, and twist things in their lives. You’re not supposed to be an average human being. If you’re a believer in Jesus, you’re a candidate to see the working of God’s immeasurably great power in your life.
This power is demonstrated in Christ's resurrection and ascension, His exaltation above all authority and power (Ephesians 1:20-21). So, if your circumstances are bad, remember that God’s immeasurably great power raised Jesus from the dead. You don’t get worse circumstances than that! And that same resurrection power is available to you. Through your connection to Jesus, God can invade the circumstances of your life and demonstrate his sufficiency.
Christ is now seated above every ruler and authority, power and dominion (Ephesians 1:21). You know someone who sits in “heavenly places” in the seat of highest authority, and you’re seated right there with him (Ephesians 2:6)! Whatever you’re dealing with, then, doesn’t have final say; it doesn’t have to define your life. Moreover, Christ has the right to override—veto—your decisions. Only if you align your life under his rule will you see his agenda demonstrated in your circumstances.
Finally, Paul emphasizes that Christ is the head over all things for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). God the Father has appointed his Son as head over everything for the church, which is his body. Jesus Christ, the one who has dominion over all things (kingdom authority), has only been given to the church. So only the church, operating under Christ’s kingdom authority (i.e., headship), can give the world a picture of what life under God’s kingdom authority looks like. And as the church does this, Christ fills it with his powerful presence (Ephesians 1:22-23). The more the church fulfills Christ’s kingdom mission, the more the church will experience his presence and power as it infiltrates every area of society as his kingdom representative.
Ephesians 1 is an invitation to explore the vastness of God's grace and power, to understand our identity as adopted children, and to live in the fullness of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ Jesus. It's a call to worship, to seek wisdom, and to experience the immeasurable power that is available to those who believe.