Introduction

Ephesians 1:1–14 lays a profound foundation for understanding the blessings and inheritance that God has graciously given to believers for all of time. Paul’s opening verses emphasize divine authority, spiritual identity, and God’s boundless grace. This passage encourages Christians to praise God’s grace and glory until they reunite with Him at His return.

Key Points

• Main Point: The Triune God has graciously blessed us with every spiritual blessing and inheritance for all of time.
• Purpose: Praise God’s grace and glory until we reunite with Him at His return.

Ephesians 1:1a

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…

Paul begins by reaffirming his authority as an apostle, a role granted by Christ to proclaim the Gospel and deliver sound doctrine according to God’s will. This authority forms the foundation for much of the New Testament, reminding us of the essential role of those God chose to communicate His Word. As we engage with Scripture, we trust the Holy Spirit to illuminate its truths and guide our understanding.

Ephesians 1:1b–2

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul uses the term “saints” to refer to all Christians—those who have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation—regardless of their actions or struggles, such as division, immorality, or unbelief, which may hinder their spiritual walk. This reflects the core truth that being a Christian is not based on personal virtue or deeds but on receiving God’s grace through faith in Christ, who provides forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice.

Ephesians 1:3

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

Paul begins his letter by highlighting the profound spiritual blessings given to the Christians in Ephesus, and by extension, to all believers, emphasizing their source in the Father, Son, and Spirit and repeatedly praising God’s glorious grace. These blessings, which touch every aspect of our being—heart, mind, soul, and strength—call us to praise Him, enabling us to feel blessed and glorify His grace, even when material circumstances may not reflect it.

Ephesians 1:4

…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Paul highlights the blessing of God the Father choosing us in Christ before creation, calling us to be holy and blameless before Him—a profound act of grace given independently of our merit. This choice reflects both our purpose and identity as God’s children, as we owe our existence and joy to Him, living out holiness and blamelessness not as something achieved but as a gift to be embraced.

Ephesians 1:5–6

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Paul describes the second blessing as God the Father adopting us through Christ out of His deep love, so that we might praise the glorious grace given to us in Jesus, His Beloved Son. This act of predestination reflects God’s desire to make us His children, sharing in the love of the Triune God. In response, we recognize the depth of our heavenly Father’s love, calling us into His family and wrapping us in His glorious and boundless grace.

Ephesians 1:7–8a

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us…

Paul describes the third blessing as redemption through the blood of Jesus, granting us forgiveness for our sins. This redemption is given not merely out of grace but according to the riches of His grace, which He has lavished on us abundantly. It reveals the generosity of a God who redeems us with overwhelming and limitless grace.

Ephesians 1:8b–10

…in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Paul describes the fourth blessing as God the Son revealing the mystery of God’s will—to unite all things in heaven and on earth in Christ. This plan, hidden since the beginning of time, is now made known to us through the wisdom and insight Jesus imparts. That God would share His plans with us reflects His deep desire for intimacy and closeness, revealing His wise and loving plan to free us from sin and unite us with Him, as He once did for Israel in their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

Ephesians 1:11–12

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Paul describes the fifth blessing as the inheritance God gives us as His adopted children. This inheritance includes the blessings promised to Abraham—that through his family, all nations would experience God’s blessing. Through Jesus, who came from Abraham’s lineage, we are graciously grafted into God’s family by faith, allowing us to partake in this inheritance. This highlights God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His grace in making us partakers of them.

Ephesians 1:13–14

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Paul describes the sixth blessing as the guarantee of our inheritance through the promised Holy Spirit, affirming that we will receive all of God’s promises. The presence of the Holy Spirit, who moves us to believe in Jesus for salvation, serves as a seal of this assurance. This confidence in our future inheritance leads us to praise God and glorify Him for His faithfulness.

Conclusion

Ephesians 1:1–14 reveals the blessings and inheritance God has graciously given to believers through the Father, Son, and Spirit. These truths call us to live in gratitude, worship, and faithfulness as we await the fulfillment of His promises and our reunion with Him.

Summary

• Paul’s apostleship emphasizes his divine authority to deliver God’s Word (1:1a).
• All believers are saints, made righteous by grace through faith, not by their works (1:1b–2).
• God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, inspiring gratitude and worship (1:3).
• God chose us to live holy and blameless lives, reflecting His character (1:4).
• Through adoption, we share in God’s family and live for His glory (1:5–6).
• Redemption through Christ’s blood demonstrates God’s abundant grace (1:7–8a).
• God’s plan to unite all things in Christ gives purpose and assurance (1:8b–10).
• Believers inherit God’s promises, strengthening their hope and glorifying Him (1:11–12).
• The Holy Spirit seals believers, guaranteeing their inheritance and fueling worship (1:13–14).