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Ephesians 1:3-14

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

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 1:3-14 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ephesians 1:3

Theological / Devotional

Blessed be the God. This expression of praise introduces one of the most sublime passages of Scripture, sometimes called the “gateway of praise.” Verses 3-14 survey the course of the revelation of divine grace and set forth promises of God’s redeeming love and the glorious privileges of the church. These verses may be regarded as the plan of salvation in outline.

Hath blessed. Gr. euloged, “to give praise,” “to bless,” the verb form related to the adjective eulogetos.

All spiritual blessings. Literally, “every spiritual blessing.” A spiritual blessing is one belonging to or activated by the Spirit.

In heavenly places. Gr. en tois epouraniois, “in the heavenly [places].” This phrase is peculiar to Ephesians, being used five times in the epistle (chs. 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12).

In Eph. 6:12 the phrase is translated “in high places.” However, the word translated “heavenly” occurs elsewhere (John 3:12; 1 Cor. 15:48; Phil. 2:10; etc.). In Eph. 1:20 the phrase en tois epouraniois is apparently used as a synonym for heaven, for it is the place where Christ sits on the right hand of the Father. This seems to be its meaning also in Eph. 2:6. If we are raised together with Christ, and are “in Christ Jesus,” and Christ is at the right hand of God in heaven, then we, in that sense, are sitting with Him in heaven. In Eph. 3:10 en tois epouraniois describes the dwelling place of angel powers, probably of good angels, and in Eph. 6:12 of evil angels. In Eph. 1:3 the phrase seems to qualify “spiritual blessings” by designating heaven as the source of them.

In Christ. See on v. 1.

By SdaBc