The Bible — World English Bible

Ephesians 1

In brief

Ephesians 1 opens Paul's letter with a vast hymn of praise. He describes what God has done in Christ: he has blessed us, chosen us, adopted us, redeemed us by Jesus' blood, and sealed us with the Spirit as a pledge of an inheritance. Paul then prays that believers may better know God, the hope of their calling, and the power deployed in Christ risen and raised above all authority, given as head to the Church.

The chapter in 5 parts

  1. v. 1-2Greeting: grace and peace
  2. v. 3-6Blessed, chosen, and adopted in Christ
  3. v. 7-10Redemption and the plan to unite all things in Christ
  4. v. 11-14Heirs and sealed by the Holy Spirit
  5. v. 15-23Paul's prayer and Christ's supremacy

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,

5having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved,

7in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

10to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.

11We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,

12to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ.

13In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

14who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

15For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,

16don’t cease 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 to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,

18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

20which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

21far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

22He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,

23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Key verses

Verse 3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Paul opens with a blessing: God has already blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ. This is what God gives in the relationship with Jesus, not a promise of material success.

Verse 4-5
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

Before creation, God chose and adopted those who are in Christ, in love. Christian traditions understand election and predestination differently, but all see in it a fruit of grace.

Verse 7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

In Christ, forgiveness is received through redemption: his blood pays the price of liberation. Paul insists on the riches of grace, which do not depend on our merits.

Verse 13-14
In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

After believing the Gospel, the believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is like a down payment: it guarantees the promised inheritance until its full realization.

Verse 18-19
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

Paul prays that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of his calling and the greatness of the power of God toward those who believe.

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What the sermons say

Ephesians 1: What God Feels for You, Chosen and AdoptedThe preacher reads verses 3 to 6 as a blessing similar to a rabbi's: we know God through his acts, and he shows here his love by choosing and adopting us.Read the summary →Workers on God's Building Site (Ephesians 1:7-10)This sermon dwells on the phrase 'in Christ,' which returns without ceasing: a place of belonging where the believer receives the graces of salvation, not through personal strength but through him.Read the summary →Sealed by the Spirit: Your Eternal Inheritance in ChristAt Calvary Chapel Paris, verses 11 to 14 recall that the believer is an heir and sealed by the Spirit. God is not a boss who entrusts a task without giving the means.Read the summary →New Glasses for a New YearJoe meditates on the prayer of verses 15 to 23: asking God for new spiritual eyes, because the gaze you turn on yourself and the world determines how you live the year.Read the summary →Undercover Boss: Christ Reigns Above It AllWith the image of the incognito boss, this sermon explains that the risen Christ reigns above all power, even if the world does not yet recognize it.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Ephesians 1

What does it mean to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)?

Paul speaks of what God gives to those united with Christ: forgiveness, adoption, the Spirit, hope. These are spiritual blessings, already received in the relationship with Jesus. The verse does not promise wealth or absence of trials.

What does it mean to be chosen before the foundation of the world?

Verses 4 and 5 say God chose his children in Christ before creation, in love. Christians do not all understand predestination the same way. All agree that salvation comes from God's grace, not from our efforts.

What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit?

In verse 13, the seal marks belonging to God, like a signature on a document. Paul adds that the Spirit is a pledge of the inheritance: it guarantees that God will complete his work. This belonging rests on God's faithfulness.

Articles quoting Ephesians 1

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World English Bible translation — public domain.