1:1 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:
[1] {in Christ} The believer's place as a member of the body of Christ, vitally united to Him by the baptism with the holy Spirit # 1Co 12:12,13
1:2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
[2] {in heavenly places} Literally, the heavenlies. The same Greek word is used in # Joh 3:12 where "things" is added. In both places the word signifies that which is heavenly in contradistinction to that which is earthy. In Ephesians "places" is especially misleading. "The heavenlies" may be defined as the sphere of the believer's spiritual experience as identified with Christ in nature. # 2Pe 1:4 life # Col 3:4 1Jo 5:12 relationships # Joh 20:17 Heb 2:11 service # joh 17:18 Mt 28:20 suffering # Php 1:29 3:10 Col 1:24 inheritance # Ro 8:16,17 and future glory in the kingdom # Ro 8:18-21 1Pe 2:9 Re 1:6 5:10 The believer is a heavenly man, and a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. # Heb 3:1 1Pe 2:11
1:4 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:
1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[1] {predestinated} [2] {adoption} Predestination is that effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass. See Election, ¯ See Note "1Pe 1:2" Foreknowledge, ¯ See Note "1Pe 1:20"
[2] Adoption (huiothesia, "placing as a son") is not so much a word of relationship as of position. The believer's relation to God as a child results from the new birth # Joh 1:12,13 whereas adoption is the act of God whereby one already a child is, through redemption from the law, placed in the position of an adult son. # Ga 4:1-5 The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this in the believer's present experience # Ga 4:6 but the full manifestation of the believer's sonship awaits the resurrection, change, and translation of saints, which is called "the redemption of the body" # Ro 8:23 1Th 4:14-17 Eph 1:14 1Jo 3:2
1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
1:10 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:
[3] {dispensation of the fullness of times} The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. This, the seventh and last of the ordered ages which condition human life on the earth, is identical with the kingdom covenanted to David. # 2Sa 7:8-17 Zec 12:8 Summary; # Lu 1:31-33, 1Co 15:24 Summary), and gathers into itself under Christ all past "times": (1) The time of oppression and misrule ends by Christ taking His kingdom. # Isa 11:3,4 (2) The time of testimony and divine forbearance ends in judgment. # Mt 25:31-46 Ac 17:30,31 Re 20:7-15 (3) The time of toil ends in rest and reward. # 2Th 1:6,7 (4) The time of suffering ends in glory. # Ro 8:17,18
(5) The time of Israel's blindness and chastisement ends in restoration and conversion. # Ro 11:25-27 Eze 39:25-29 (6) The times of the Gentiles end in the smiting of the image and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens. # Da 2:34,35 Re 19:15-21 (7) The time of creation's thraldom ends in deliverance at the manifestation of the sons of God. # Ge 3:17 Isa 11:6-8 Ro 8:19-21
1:11 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:
1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
1:13 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,
[3] {sealed} The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies: (1) A finished transaction # Jer 32:9,10 Joh 17:4 19:30 (2) Ownership # Jer 32:11,12 2Ti 2:19 (3) Security # Es 8:8 Da 6:17 Eph 4:30
1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
1:17 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:
1:18 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,
1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
1:21 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:
1:22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
