Ephesians Chapter 1

At a Glance

  • Ephesians 1 opens with a sweeping doxology and a dense, rich meditation on heavenly blessings in Christ.
  • Ephesians is often dated to the early-to-mid 60s CE, possibly from prison (house arrest in Rome is a common backdrop).
  • - Spiritual blessings in Christ: The foundational identity and status of believers as chosen, holy, blameless.
  • - Redemption and forgiveness: The blood of Christ as the basis for divine forgiveness and the unfolding of grace.
  • - The mystery of God’s will: God’s plan to unite all things in Christ, a cosmic scope for the church’s mission.

Ephesians 1 opens with a sweeping doxology and a dense, rich meditation on heavenly blessings in Christ. Paul writes to the saints in Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus, greeting them with grace and peace. The chapter traces a grand arc: blessings chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, destined for adoption as children through Jesus Christ, and lavished with the glorious grace of God. Redemption is described as accomplished through Christ’s blood, forgiveness of sins, and riches of grace. God has made known to us the mystery of His will, to unite all things in Christ—things in heaven and on earth—under a divine plan of fullness. The promises culminate in a sealing act: believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of their inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, all to the praise of God’s glory. Paul’s prayer for the church centers on spiritual wisdom and revelation, so that they might know the hope to which they are called, the riches of God’s glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward believers. The chapter blends cosmic theology with intimate assurance: God’s plan and purposes are at work for the church, turning history toward the consummation of all things in Christ.

Ephesians is often dated to the early-to-mid 60s CE, possibly from prison (house arrest in Rome is a common backdrop). The letter’s style, with long, theological sentences and a universal scope, sets it apart as one of Paul’s more developed theological treatsies. While some argue for a circular, non-local audience (to be read in multiple churches in Asia Minor), the themes nonetheless address concrete cosmic and local realities—church unity, spiritual blessings, and the believer’s new position in Christ. The genre blends doxology, theological teaching, and pastoral exhortation to shape how Christians understand their identity and mission.

- Spiritual blessings in Christ: The foundational identity and status of believers as chosen, holy, blameless.

- Redemption and forgiveness: The blood of Christ as the basis for divine forgiveness and the unfolding of grace.

- The mystery of God’s will: God’s plan to unite all things in Christ, a cosmic scope for the church’s mission.

- The Spirit as seal and guarantee: The Holy Spirit’s role in securing believers' future inheritance and guiding their present life.

- Identity in Christ: Believers can ground their sense of self in God’s gracious election and adoption, which shapes self-esteem, vocation, and relationships.

- Hope-filled living: Knowing the heavenly blessings and future inheritance invites resilience in suffering, ethical consistency, and patient perseverance.

- Recognizing the Spirit’s work: The sealing of the Spirit calls Christians to pursue discernment, maturity, and mission in daily life, with confidence in God’s purposes.

- Corporate calling: The cosmic aim of uniting all things in Christ invites churches to work toward reconciliation, peace, and unity across diverse backgrounds.

- Romans 8:28–30 (predestination and glorification)

- 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (new creation and reconciliation)

- Colossians 1:15–20 (supremacy of Christ)

- 1 Peter 1:3–5 (inheritance and salvation)

- Paul (primary)

- Jesus (as the reconciler and head of the church)

- A theologian or church leader (to translate cosmic truths into church life)

Key Themes

Spiritual blessings in Christ: The foundational identity and status of believers as chosen, holy, blameless.Redemption and forgiveness: The blood of Christ as the basis for divine forgiveness and the unfolding of grace.The mystery of God’s will: God’s plan to unite all things in Christ, a cosmic scope for the church’s mission.The Spirit as seal and guarantee: The Holy Spirit’s role in securing believers' future inheritance and guiding their present life.

Chapter Text

1

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:

2

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

3

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

4

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:

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9

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

10

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:

11

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:

12

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

13

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,

14

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

15

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

16

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17

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:

18

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,

19

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

20

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

21

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:

22

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

23

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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