College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Ephesians 1:1-14
Previewing in Outline Form (Ephesians 1:1-14)
Greeting; Ephesians 1:1-2.
1.
By Paul. Ephesians 1:1.
2.
To the saints at Ephesus.
3.
To the faithful in Christ Jesus.
4.
Grace and peace requested for them. Ephesians 1:2.
A.
Blessing we have in Christ from God. Ephesians 1:3-14.
1.
God blessed for bestowing spiritual blessings. Ephesians 1:3.
2.
Blessings listed. Ephesians 1:4-14.
a.
He chose us in Christ. Ephesians 1:4.
(1)
Chosen before the foundation of the world.
(2)
Chosen to be holy and without blemish.
b.
He foreordained us unto adoption as sons. Ephesians 1:5-6 a.
(1)
Done according to His good pleasure.
(2)
For the praise of the glory of His grace. Ephesians 1:6 a.
c.
He bestowed grace (favor) upon us. Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:8.
(1)
Bestowed upon us in Christ, the Beloved.
(2)
Grace made to abound in wisdom and prudence. Ephesians 1:8.
d.
We have redemption in Christ. Ephesians 1:7.
(1)
Through Christ's blood.
(2)
Redemption is the forgiveness of our trespasses.
e.
He made known to us the mystery of His will. Ephesians 1:9-10.
(1)
Made known according to the good pleasure which He purposed in Christ. Ephesians 1:9.
(2)
Made known unto a dispensation of the fulness of times. Ephesians 1:10.
f.
In Christ we are made a heritage. Ephesians 1:11-12.
(1)
Having been foreordained according to the purpose of God. Ephesians 1:11.
(2)
That we be unto the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12.
g.
In Christ we were sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14.
(1)
Sealing follows hearing the Word. Ephesians 1:13.
(2)
Sealing follows believing the Word.
(3)
The Holy Spirit is an earnest of our inheritance, Ephesians 1:14.
Text (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:1-2)
1.
What does Paul imply by saying that he was an apostle through the will of God?
2.
This letter is addressed to the saints. Are all Christians saints? Is there any distinction between the saints and the faithful who are mentioned in the next phrase?
3.
What do you think that grace is? Look up the meaning of this word in a dictionary. Why do we need grace?
Paraphrase
1.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God (and not of man), to the holy ones (the saints) that are in the city of Ephesus, and to the faithful souls in Christ Jesus elsewhere.
2.
May divine favor and peace be given unto you from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom the Father dispenses His blessings.
Notes (Ephesians 1:1-2)
1.
Paul, who wrote this letter (see Introduction, section VIII), was an apostle through the will of God. He was no imposter. His life history, his power to work miracles, and his complete dedication to Christ all prove that he was a true apostle. See Galatians, Chapter s 1 and 2, for Paul's defence of his apostleship.
2.
Paul addressed the brethren at Ephesus as saints. All Christains are saints. The word saint means a holy one. All Christians must be holy. 1 Peter 1:16.
3.
Notice that the letter is addressed to the saints at Ephesus, and to the faithful (or believing ones) in Christ Jesus. We understand that this epistle was sent to Christians in other places as well as to those in Ephesus. (See Introduction, section VII.)
4.
Grace is God's undeserved favor. The teaching that we are saved by God's favor, and not because we deserve it, is a central doctrine in Ephesians and throughout the New Testament.
5.
Grace and peace were meaningful wishes for the saints in an age of wholesale massacres of the saints by Caesar.
Fact Questions
36.
Through what was Paul an apostle?
37.
What are saints?
38.
To what two groups is the epistle addressed?
39.
What two things did Paul wish for the Ephesians?
40.
What is grace?
41.
From Whom do grace and peace come?
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:3-14)
4.
Count how many times the text says (in Ephesians 1:3-14) that our blessings are given through Christ, or in Christ, or in Him (Christ), or uses other such phrases referring to Christ. What does this indicate to you about the need for Christ? (Note: Such phrases as in Christ occur 164 times in the writings of Paul.)
5.
Count how many times such phrases as to the praise of His glory occur in Ephesians 1:3-14. What does this indicate to you about the necessity for praising God?
Notes (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Note the purposes of the blessings as stated in the text:
(1)
That we should be holy and without blemish (blame) before God. Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 5:27. God wants us to be in His presence in heaven forever. But He does not want people there whose lives are spotted, blemished, and unclean with sin. His goodness in giving us these blessings should cause us to repent of sins (Romans 2:4).
(2)
That we should be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:12; Ephesians 1:14). We must, therefore, praise God with psalms, songs, testimonies, and prayers. Heaven will be a place of perpetual praise. If we do not praise God, we disappoint God and resist His purpose in giving us the blessings.
(3)
That he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both the things that are in heaven and that are on earth; Ephesians 1:10. Sin has broken up and disunited mankind, and also the angels in heaven (Jude 1:6). But now through Christ, God is working toward an age (dispensation) when He shall bring together again for Himself one great harmonious universe in Christ, Sinners shall be cast out, but all who will receive the blessings shall be saved, and gathered into one great fellowship in Christ. Don-'t you want to be a part of that one great body that will be gathered together in Christ?
Fact Questions
42.
Name the three purposes for which God has blessed us.
Text (Ephesians 1:3)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:3)
6.
What is the reason for which Paul blessed God in this verse?
7.
Can Christ be equal with God, and yet call God His God?
8.
With what type of blessings have we been blessed? Are there no material blessings attached to the gospel of Christ?
9.
What are the heavenly places? Does this refer to heaven? or to the church? or to both? or to something else?
10.
In whom are these blessings bestowed?
Paraphrase
3.
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with every spiritual blessing has blessed all of us who are in the heavenly places in Christ, that is, in the church.
Notes (Ephesians 1:3)
1.
Truly the Father God deserves to be blessed and praised for blessing us with every spiritual blessing. Of course, we know that He has blessings beyond measure yet in store for His saints in the life to come.
2.
The Ephesians doubtless felt that they were more highly blessed than any other people, because the great image of Diana was in their city (bringing great wealth with it), God wanted the Christians to know that His blessings came through Jesus Christ, not Diana (or even the law of Moses). For that reason, God inspired Paul to write this section. Any one of these blessings is enough to make Christianity wonderful. But Christians have ALL of these blessings.
3.
By a relationship too deep for human understanding, Christ is said to be equal with God (Philippians 2:6; John 5:23), and yet to honor God, the Father, as His God (Ephesians 1:17; John 20:17).
4.
The Law of Moses promised many material blessings (Deuteronomy 7:12-16). The gospel contains some material promises (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19), but its promises are mainly spiritual. Therefore the appeal of the gospel is not to the carnally minded, but to those who seek the abiding things of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:18).
5.
The word places in the phrase heavenly places is not in the original Greek text. (Therefore it is written in italics in our text.) The expression is just the heavenlies.
The term heavenly places refers to Heaven itself in Ephesians 1:20. In Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12 it seems to refer to the region of the air, the atmospheric heavens.
However, here in Ephesians 1:3 and in Ephesians 2:6, it seems to refer plainly to Christ's church. This glorious institution is certainly a heavenly place. In the church our citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20. The church is called the kingdom of heaven often in the parables of Christ.
If we say that the heavenly places in this verse (Ephesians 1:3) refer to Heaven itself, we will also have to say that God has no more spiritual blessings in Heaven than what he has given to us. (For God hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.) Anyone will admit that God has some spiritual blessings he has not yet given to us. Therefore we have to interpret the phrase heavenly places as referring to the church, in which God has blessed us with all of these spiritual blessings.
Fact Questions
43.
What is the title of the section (Ephesians 1:3-14) in the outline?
44.
Who is praised (or blessed) in Ephesians 1:3?
45.
Why is He blessed?
46.
What kind of blessings are given?
47.
In what places are the blessings given?
48.
To what does the phrase heavenly places refer? Give reasons for your answer.
49.
Through whom (or in whom) do the blessings come?
Text (Ephesians 1:4-6)
4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him: in love
5
having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6
to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:4-6)
11.
In Whom did God choose us? When did God make this choice? Did God choose us as individuals, or as a class of people? Exactly what did God choose concerning us?
12.
The Jews had the adoption in Old Testament times (Romans 9:4; Exodus 4:22), Who has that honor now?
13.
Did God choose us to be before Him in love? Or, did He in love foreordain us unto adoption as sons? Either reading is possible. Which seems better to you?
14.
What does foreordain (or predestinate) mean?
15.
Did God foreordain us because we deserve it, or according to some other reason? Read the text (Ephesians 1:5) carefully to see.
16.
What purpose did God have in mind for choosing and foreordaining us? (Ephesians 1:6)
17.
Who is the Beloved? See Matthew 3:17. What did God freely bestow upon us in the Beloved?
Paraphrase
4.
God has truly blessed us with every spiritual blessing, even as He, before the world was created, chose us who are in Christ to be in His presence holy and without blemish,
5.
having in love foreordained that we should be adopted as sons unto Himself through Jesus Christ, and this He did according to the benevolence of His own disposition towards men of all nations,
6.
in order that praise might be given unto Him for that glorious display of His grace, which He has so graciously bestowed upon us through Christ the Beloved one. (Ephesians 2:7.)
Notes (Ephesians 1:4-6)
1.
Long ago, even before God created the world, God decided, The people who accept My son Jesus Christ shall be My chosen people. God did not choose certain individuals to go to heaven and others to go to hell. Whosoever will may accept Christ (Revelation 22:17). But God chose a class of people. He chose those who are in Christ to be His people.
2.
Our being holy and without blemish is the consequence of being chosen, and not the condition of it. We cannot say to God, I am holy and without blemish. You have to choose me as one of your people. Rather, God says to us, You are sinners. But I have chosen you because you have accepted Christ. Now be ye holy and without blemish.
3.
As sinful as we have been, it would be a favor to us if God permitted us to scrub the floors of heaven. But God, in love, honors us by adopting us as His children. What more could God do for us?
4.
We prefer to put the phrase in love with the words that follow it. In love is an unnecessary additional description of us if we are holy and without blemish before the Lord. But it makes good sense to think that God has in love foreordained us to be adopted as sons unto Himself. There is no other reason why God would have decided to do such a great thing for us, if it were not done in love.
Back before the world existed, God said something to this effect; I do make this decision and law now, even before man is created, that those who accept My son Jesus will be My chosen people, and they shall receive adoption as My children.
5.
We have listed hath chosen and having predestinated us as separate blessings in the outline. The expression having predestinated (foreordained) us may be subordinate to chosen in Ephesians 1:4. The choosing and foreordaining were acts done at the same time, and are closely related to each other. But still, they were separate decisions and plans made by God. Therefore, we have listed them separately in the outline.
6.
The expression freely bestowed (Ephesians 1:6) comes from the same root as the word grace. Rotherham's translation of Ephesians 1:6 brings this out very clearly: Unto the praise of the glory of His favour (grace), wherewith he favoured us in the Beloved One. The expression means to pursue with grace, compass with favor, honor with blessings. The King James translation of Ephesians 1:6 is not good.
7.
The idea of being saved by GRACE (favor) is completely strange to most people in our self-righteous age. They do not consider themselves to be sinners. Therefore, they do not feel that they need grace to be saved. They protest the treatment they get from the world around them, but not one in fifty seems to have the slightest consciousness of sin, But true Christians will be conscious of their sinfulness, and praise God for the glory of His grace.
Fact Questions
50.
Whom did God choose to be His people?
51.
When was the choice made?
52.
What two characteristics did God desire us to have when we are before Him?
53.
Unto what did God foreordain those who are in Christ?
Text (Ephesians 1:7-8)
7
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
8
which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:7-8)
18.
What is redemption? From whom or from what are we redeemed?
19.
What is the relationship of redemption to the forgiveness of our trespasses?
20.
How freely has God dispensed His grace toward us? (Ephesians 1:8)
21.
What is the value of God granting grace to us in wisdom and prudence?
Paraphrase
7.
In Whom (Christ) we have the ransom through His blood, namely the forgiveness of our sins. This redemption is provided unto us according to the wealth of His favor,
8.
that favor of which He has poured out in abundance (even super-abundance) unto us, but in so doing has always bestowed it with all wisdom and understanding.
Notes (Ephesians 1:7-8)
1.
Thank God for the blood of Christ. To those who understand its power and the need for it, it is the most valuable thing in the universe.
Many persons have a great objection to the word -blood,-' and I have a great objection to those persons, If we take out the blood of Christ, we leave the New Testament without a theme and without a purpose, (Joseph Parker)
2.
Redemption is a releasing effected by the payment of a ransom. This idea is an offence to many. Nevertheless, the truth remains that when we sin, divine, immutable justice is offended. The just law of God condemns us to death. Some payment must be made, or the sinner will perish.
The blood of Christ washes away sins. When this takes place, the Law of God has no more claim against us. Thus we are redeemed from the just claims of the Law of God against a guilty soul. God does not pay the redemption price to the Devil. All souls belong to God, even the souls of sinners, and God alone judges and sentences them.
3.
The forgiveness of sins (in Ephesians 1:8) refers to the same thing as redemption, except that in the case of redemption our helpless condition in sin is primarily in view, whereas in the term forgiveness our own personal responsibility and guilt is thrust forth for us to behold and at which to shudder.
4.
We obtain this redemption at our conversion, and it is available unto us every day thereafter.
5.
God has showered grace upon us so freely that it abounds. There is almost more grace than there is power to use it. But in all things, God bestows His grace with prudence and understanding, so that it will do the most good.
Fact Questions
54.
What does the word redemption mean?
55.
What is the relationship between redemption and forgiveness of sins?
56.
To what degree has God extended grace toward us?
57.
With what two good provisions has God regulated the way He gives grace to us?
Text (Ephesians 1:9-10)
9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth;
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:9-10)
22.
Why would God's will be called a mystery? We are told in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that there is simplicity in Christ. How can the gospel of Christ be a thing of simplicity, and a mystery too?
23.
What is a dispensation? Do some research on the meaning of this word.
24.
What age or time is the dispensation of the fulness of times? Could this be the present Christian dispensation?
25.
What does it mean to sum up all things in Christ? Does this teach that everyone will eventually be saved?
26.
What do you think the things in heaven are? Is Christ the head over heavenly beings, as well as redeemed humans?
Paraphrase
9.
God has made grace to abound toward us, having made known unto us (the apostles) the sacred secret (Rotherham translation) of His will, in a manner according to His benevolent pleasure which He purposed within Himself;
10.
And this mystery He did make known in order to bring all things unto a dispensation (administration) of the fulness of the times, in which dispensation He now plans to bring all beings hitherto disunited by sin under one head in Christ, both the things in heaven and the things upon the earth.
Notes (Ephesians 1:9-10)
1.
Having made known (King James Version) is a more accurate translation than making known, given in the American Revised Version. Christ made known all truth to the apostles. He is not making known additional truths to anyone.
2.
In the New Testament the word mystery is often used to refer to some hidden or unrevealed information which God has now made known. One of these mysteries was God's plan of salvation for men through Christ. This plan was once hidden, but it is now revealed. You might say it is not a mystery any longer. But it was an unrevealed mystery for many ages. (See Ephesians 3:3-6.)
3.
Down through all the ages men have invented all kinds of religions and philosophies in an effort to discover what is really the truth. God's final truth was not revealed until Christ made it known. Previous to that time men could only guess about His law and promises. But now the mystery has been cleared up. We ought to thank God for making known this mystery of His will.
4.
When God planned out His purpose and program for the ages, He planned toward a dispensation of the fulness of the times, when all things would be summed up in Christ. We are thankful that God is now working out this purpose in all human affairs.
5.
This dispensation of the fulness of the times obviously refers to our present Christian age. For it is during this age that God is endeavoring to bring all things under the headship of Christ.
6.
To sum up means to gather under one head or to sum up as one might sum up the main points of a speech in a few statements. What a glorious universe this will be when all things are under the headship of Christ.
7.
Ephesians 1:10 does not teach that eventually all men, angels, and other creatures will be saved. Paul plainly teaches in this letter that sinners will perish. (See Ephesians 5:5-6.) Sinners will be cast out, and then Christ shall be head over all.
8.
No mere human being knows what all are described by the words the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth. We do know that Christ is Lord of angels as well as of men (1 Peter 3:22). He is Lord of the dead as well as of the living. God's plans for the whole universe are all designed to glorify Christ.
Fact Questions
58.
What has God made known to us through Christ?
59.
Why is God's will called a mystery?
60.
What purpose does God have in mind for our sin-disunited universe?
Text (Ephesians 1:11-12)
in him, I say, 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will: 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:11-12)
27.
What is a heritage?
28.
Who or what is God's heritage at the present time?
29.
Whose plan was it that we would be a heritage?
30.
What people are those who had before hoped in Christ?
Paraphrase
11.
In Whom (Christ) we Jews, as well as you Gentiles, were made a heritage, a private possession for God, having been foreordained to this honor not by virtue of Abrahamic descent and the law, but according to that pre-planned program which God, who does all thing according to the counsel of His will, laid out in Christ;
12.
In foreordaining us to be His heritage, God was working toward the purpose that we would be a people devoted to praising His glory, we, the Jews, who in ages before have been the first to have hoped in the Messiah (or Christ).
Notes (Ephesians 1:11-12)
1.
The we of Ephesians 1:12 refers to Jewish Christians such as Paul. The ye of Ephesians 1:13 refers to Gentile believers, like most of the Ephesians. For centuries the Jews had been told of the coming of the Messiah (or Christ), and had hoped in Him. The Gentiles for the most part never heard of the Messiah until after the church was established on the day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-47), indeed not until after the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48).
2.
The reading of Ephesians 1:11 in the King James Version, We have obtained an inheritance, is not a good translation. The American Revised Version is correct here. It is true that we have obtained an inheritance. But we shall not fully receive it in this life. (See 1 Peter 1:4.)
3.
A heritage is a possession that one owns by right of inheritance. In the ages before Jesus came, the Jewish people were God's portion, His heritage. (See Joel 3:2; Exodus 4:22.) But now God has broken this arrangement with the Jews, and Christians have become His heritage. This was no afterthought, but was God's plan and purpose from the beginning. The Jew had come to feel that it was his particular privilege to be God's heritage; but God had not so foreordained it from the beginning, God had foreordained that the Jew would be a part of His heritage along with the Gentiles when both were in Christ.
4.
The people of Old Testament times certainly offered much praise to God. But it is noteworthy that the Jews were made to be God's heritage IN CHRIST, so that they would be unto the praise of His glory. We cannot really praise God unless that praise is offered in Christ.
5.
Notice the word purpose in Ephesians 1:11 (and see also Ephesians 3:11). God's workings are not the result of chance or impulse. Before time began God laid out in His mind a program (prothesis, or purpose) for the ages. Christ was at the heart of this program. We who are in Christ can thank God that we are the ones who are called according to His purpose. (See Romans 8:28.)
Fact Questions
61.
What have we been made to be for God? (Ephesians 1:11)
62.
When did God decide that those who are in Christ would be His heritage?
63.
For what purpose were we foreordained to be God's heritage?
64.
Who are the we who had before hoped in Christ?
65.
According to what were we foreordained and made a heritage?
Text (Ephesians 1:13-14)
13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God'S own possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Thought Questions (Ephesians 1:13-14)
31.
What people are addressed as ye also in Ephesians 1:13? With whom are they contrasted? (See Ephesians 1:12.)
32.
What two things does Paul say had been done before the Ephesians were sealed with the Holy Spirit? Does this indicate that they were saved as infants?
33.
What is an earnest? The dictionary will give you a good definition of this term.
34.
What is the earnest of our inheritance? Why is this a most appropriate and befitting earnest?
35.
What does ye were sealed mean? How is a document sealed? Why? How are we sealed with the Holy Spirit?
36.
If we already have redemption (Ephesians 1:7), why must we be satisfied with an earnest unto (or until) the redemption? Are there two meanings of the word redemption? If so, what does it mean here? (Compare Romans 8:18-23,)
37.
What (or who) is God's own possession?
Paraphrase
13.
In Whom (Christ) you Gentiles also, having first heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and having also believed in Christ, were stamped and sealed as being God's own possession with the Holy Spirit which was promised unto us.
14.
The Holy Spirit is the earnest, the advanced portion, of our inheritance; and we shall enjoy this earnest of the Spirit until the redemption of God's possession, i.e., until the time when the people who are God's own through Christ are raised from the dead unto eternal life, and all this shall redound to the praise of His glory as Saviour.
Notes (Ephesians 1:13-14)
1.
Official papers are often stamped with a seal. This seal proves that the document is approved by the proper authorities. Seals have been used since ancient times. Cylinder-shaped seals, or seals carved on rings were used to make official impressions on clay tablets.
When we (1) heard the Word of truth, the gospel, and (2) believed it (and, of course, were baptized; Galatians 3:26-27), God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit produces in us holiness and many good fruits. (See Galatians 5:22-23.) Thus the Holy Spirit in the Christian stamps and seals him as being God's property. It ought to be obvious to anyone who associates with a Christian that he is sealed with God's Spirit.
2.
The Holy Spirit is an earnest of our inheritance until the complete redemption of the purchased possession. An earnest is money which is given when a bargain is made, as a pledge that the full price will be paid later. Right now we Christians have the earnest of the Holy Spirit. This brings to us love, joy, peace, etc. These joys are an earnest of the boundless joys we shall have when Jesus comes back, and the dead are raised, and sin is destroyed forever. The joy we have as Christians now is only a sampling of the greater joys in store for us.
3.
The Holy Spirit of promise means the promised Spirit (Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 32:15).
4.
The redemption of Ephesians 1:7 refers to our redemption from sin. The redemption here in Ephesians 1:14 refers to our redemption from human frailty and from the curse. (See Genesis 3:17-19.) This will occur when our bodies are raised from the grave. (See 1 Corinthians 15:43-44; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55.)
Fact Questions
66.
What two acts did Paul say had been done before ye were sealed?
67.
With what are we sealed?
68.
What is the earnest of our inheritance?
69.
How does the Holy Spirit serve as an earnest of our inheritance?
70.
What is the redemption referred to in Ephesians 1:14?
The Ephesians burn their books of magic when they learn of the blessings in Christ. Acts 19:19
(Picture copyright, Standard Pub. Co.)