Dawn breaking over the hills above ancient Ephesus, the terraced houses on the slope below still in shadow beneath a wide brightening sky.

The Book of

Ephesians 1

Before Paul asks anything of the church in Ephesus, he stops to praise God for everything they already have in Christ.

23 verses≈ 4 min1 personBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1Every blessingChosen, redeemed and sealed in ChristChapter 1
2–3One new peopleSaved by grace, brought near
4–6:9Walk worthyUnity, new life, love at home
6:10–24Stand firmThe armor of God and prayer

Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians

From PaulTo the saints in Ephesus

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

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

Ephesians 1:1–2

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Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Rome to Ephesus

Paul writes as a prisoner, traditionally from his rented lodging in Rome. His letter crosses Italy and the sea to Ephesus, the great harbor city of Asia, where he had spent about three years, two of them teaching every day. It is addressed “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus,” and its first word after the greeting is praise.

Spiritual Blessings

who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 1:3

Ephesians 1:4

Paul

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses

Ephesians 1:7–8

Question

Quick question

Paul piles up blessing on blessing, and every one of them is found in the same place.

According to verse 7, what do we have “In Him”?

And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.

And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

Every spiritual blessing

Whiteboard

In Greek, verses 3–14 are one long sentence of praise. The Father chose and adopted us, the Son redeemed us, and the Spirit seals all who have heard and believed. Three times the chorus comes back: it is all “to the praise of His glory.”

Reflect

Already yours

Paul doesn’t tell the Ephesians to go and get these blessings. He says God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” Chosen, adopted, forgiven, sealed: which of these do you find hardest to believe is true of you? Write it down, and then write beside it the words “In Him.”

Spiritual Wisdom

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

A man seen from behind standing on a high ridge at dawn, looking out over a wide valley filling with light.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe.

0:23

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

A toppled marble statue of a Roman ruler lying broken in long grass at dawn.

These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Pray

Open my eyes

Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself and for someone you love: that God would give “a spirit of wisdom and revelation,” and that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.” Ask to see the hope of His calling, and to trust the power that raised Christ from the dead.

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Ephesians 1

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A verse to carry with you

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 1:7–8

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