Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians
(Acts 19:8–12; Revelation 2:1–7)
Paul follows the typical style of ancient Greek...
Paul follows the typical style of ancient Greek letters. He starts with a brief introduction about himself, then offers greetings. However, Paul expands this basic pattern in a distinctly Christian way.
First, Paul refers to his divine calling as an apostle rather than just stating his name. This shows that his authority comes from God, not from himself.
Second, Paul describes the people he writes to as "God's holy people" and as "faithful followers of Christ." This reminds them of their special identity and relationship with God.
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus,† the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings
Paul praises God for all the spiritual blessings...
Paul praises God for all the spiritual blessings given through Jesus Christ to both non-Jewish people (gentiles) and Jews. This section is a single, complex sentence in Greek. It is one of the longest sentences in Paul’s letters. Long sentences are typical of Paul’s writing (also in 1:15–23; 2:1–7, 14–16; 3:1–12, 14–19; Colossians 1:3–29; 2:1–3, 8–15). These sentences are interwoven (connected and linked together like threads that are knitted or laced together). This reflects the interconnectedness of their ideas. Interwoven sentences show that different ideas are closely connected and depend on each other.
Ephesians has two parts: Chapters 1–3 praise God...
Ephesians has two parts:
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Wisdom and understanding come from God revealing his...
Wisdom and understanding come from God revealing his mysterious plan about Christ. In Paul's writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often means a divine truth once hidden but now revealed in the good news (see 3:9). Here, it refers to how God will unite everything under Christ's authority, so he is universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Philippians 2:9–11; Colossians 1:16–20, 26–27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians specifically highlights the inclusion of both gentiles and Jews in God's redeemed people (see Ephesians 3:3–6; 6:19; compare Romans 16:25–26).
8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.
11In 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,
we … you: "We" here likely refers to...
we … you: "We" here likely refers to Jews, and "you" to non-Jews (gentiles).
12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.
13And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.
Spiritual Wisdom
Paul prays that his readers gain the spiritual...
Paul prays that his readers gain the spiritual understanding to fully appreciate God's gifts (1:3–14).
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
18I 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,
God's power for those who believe in him...
God's power for those who believe in him is the power of his Spirit working in and through his people, because they are connected to the resurrected Christ (see Romans 6:4–14; Colossians 2:12). Paul wanted to experience the power of Christ's resurrection in his own life (Philippians 3:10).
In biblical times, the place of honor was always at a person's right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 7:56).
God's power for those who believe in him is the power of his Spirit working in and through his people, because they are connected to the resurrected Christ (see Romans 6:4–14; Colossians 2:12). Paul wanted to experience the power of Christ's resurrection in his own life (Philippians 3:10).
In biblical times, the place of honor was always at a person's right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 7:56).
19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far 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.
22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.