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Ephesians 1:1-14

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Ephesians 1:1-14 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ephesians 1:1

Theological / Devotional

Paul. See on Rom. 1:1.

Apostle. Gr. apostolos (see on Acts 1:2).

Jesus Christ. For the significance of these titles see on Matt. 1:1.

Will of God. Compare 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1; see on 1 Cor. 1:1. Paul was not seeking to enhance his personal authority, but, rather, to express a clear sense of calling and obligation (cf. 2 Cor. 8:5). His call had come directly from God (see on Gal. 1:15, 16). His firm conviction of this was the secret of his powerful ministry and devoted Christian life and the source of his courage and faith under suffering.

Saints. Gr. hagioi, literally, “holy ones” (see on Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2). The Greek word denotes separation from common condition and use.

At Ephesus. Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 10) between retaining and omitting this expression (see p. 993; Vol. V, p. 182). If this phrase is omitted, the last part of this verse may be translated, “to the saints, those who are also faithful in Christ Jesus.”

Faithful. Gr. pistoi, “faithful,” “believing.”

In Christ Jesus. This, or any one of its related forms — “in Christ,” “in him,” “in whom,” “in the Lord,” “in the beloved” — may be considered as the key phrase of this epistle. These expressions occur frequently in the epistle and designate Jesus Christ as the sphere, or medium, in which the believer lives and moves. They emphasize the close unity that exists between the Christian and his Lord. Everything that the Christian does he does with reference to his Lord.

By SdaBc