Paul's identification as apostle "through God's will" (dia thelēmatos theou) appears only here and in 2 Corinthians 1:1, uniquely emphasizing divine initiative over human calling.
Ephesians 1
Epistolary Opening
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.
Blessing for Spiritual Blessings in 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 him 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.
Prayer for Wisdom and Knowledge
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.
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Theme
Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians with an extraordinary celebration of God's eternal plan of salvation, emphasizing the spiritual blessings believers possess in Christ. He traces God's work from before creation through predestination, adoption, redemption, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit, all designed to bring praise to God's glory. Paul then prays that the Ephesians would receive wisdom to fully comprehend their calling, inheritance, and the immense power available to them through Christ's resurrection and exaltation.
Context
This opening chapter establishes the theological foundation for Paul's subsequent teachings about Christian unity and conduct in chapters 2-6.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Apostolic Greeting Paul identifies himself as an apostle and extends grace and peace to the Ephesian believers.
- 3-6 Chosen and Adopted in Christ God blessed believers with spiritual blessings, choosing them before creation for adoption as his children.
- 7-12 Redemption and Divine Mystery Through Christ's blood believers receive forgiveness and inheritance according to God's eternal purpose.
- 13-14 Sealed by the Holy Spirit Believers are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance.
- 15-23 Prayer for Spiritual Enlightenment Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive wisdom and understanding of Christ's supreme authority and power.
Epistolary Opening
1:1–1:2 epistle blessing peaceful
Paul opens his letter to the Ephesians by identifying himself as an apostle and extending grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ. This is a standard epistolary greeting establishing his apostolic authority.
person_contrast
Paul's identification as apostle "through God's will" (dia thelēmatos theou) appears only here and in 2 Corinthians 1:1, uniquely emphasizing divine initiative over human calling.
Blessing for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
1:3–1:14 epistle doxology celebratory
Paul blesses God for spiritual blessings in Christ, describing believers as chosen before creation for adoption as God's children. He emphasizes redemption through Christ's blood, forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal inheritance.
person_contrast
Paul employs "in Christ" eight times within twelve verses, creating an unprecedented concentration that transforms individual believers into a unified, predestined community sharing divine inheritance.
Prayer for Wisdom and Knowledge
1:15–1:23 epistle prayer hopeful
Paul prays for the Ephesians to receive wisdom and revelation to understand God's power, demonstrated in Christ's resurrection and exaltation above all authorities. He emphasizes Christ as head of the church, which is his body.
person_contrast
Paul's prayer uniquely combines "wisdom" (sophia) with "power" (dunamis) and "authority" (exousia), creating his only sustained theological meditation on divine epistemology linked to cosmic dominion.
Insights
Paul employs "in Christ" eight times within twelve verses, creating an unprecedented concentration that transforms individual believers into a unified, predestined community sharing divine inheritance.
Paul's prayer uniquely combines "wisdom" (sophia) with "power" (dunamis) and "authority" (exousia), creating his only sustained theological meditation on divine epistemology linked to cosmic dominion.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Ephesians 1:1 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Corinthians 1:1 Lexical
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Co…
2 Timothy 1:1 Lexical
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,
1 Corinthians 1:1 Lexical
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
Colossians 1:1 Lexical
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Ephesians 1:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Philemon 1:3 Lexical
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:2 Lexical
to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus…
2 Timothy 1:2 Lexical
to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 1:7 Lexical
to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jes…
2 Corinthians 1:2 Lexical
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Colossians 1:22 Lexical
yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without defect and blameless b…
1 Peter 1:20 Lexical
who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake,
John 17:24 Lexical
Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have…
Hebrews 4:3 Lexical
For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into…
Jude 1:24 Lexical
Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in gre…
Ephesians 1:7 1 reference
Ephesians 1:10 2 references
Ephesians 1:11 1 reference
Ephesians 1:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:33 Lexical
Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Lexical
and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance.…
Acts 15:7 Lexical
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made…
Acts 19:2 Lexical
He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that…
Acts 10:44 Lexical
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
Ephesians 1:14 1 reference
Ephesians 1:15 2 references
Ephesians 1:16 2 references
Ephesians 1:18 1 reference
Ephesians 1:19 2 references
Ephesians 1:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Colossians 1:16 Lexical
For by him all things were created in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones…
1 Corinthians 15:24 Lexical
Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father, when he will have abolished all rule and all…
Romans 8:38 Lexical
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,…
Jude 1:25 Lexical
to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Hebrews 6:5 Lexical
and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
Ephesians 1:22 2 references
Interlinear
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Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Resurrection
~30 ADJesus' victory over death through his bodily resurrection on the third day after crucifixion. This cornerstone event validates Jesus' divinity and provides hope of eternal life for believers.
Christ's resurrection demonstrates God's power that believers need wisdom to comprehend fully.
Prayer for Wisdom and Knowledge