Ephesians 1:1-23
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,a 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 trustedb 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.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation inc the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
1 The title "Christ Jesus" is the token of His exaltation; "Jesus Christ" refers us to His humiliation. "Christ Jesus" is used by Paul, especially in his later ministries. The words "in Ephesus" seem to have been added after the significance of "Christ Jesus" had been lost. The epistle is confined to those who, in contrast with the Circumcision, base their blessings on His present heavenly exaltation, rather than on His future glorious manifestation to the earth for the blessing of Israel and the other nations.
THE JOINT ALLOTMENT
CELESTIAL BLESSINGS
3 Celestial is in contrast to terrestrial (Php_2:10). The celestial is the realm beyond the earth's atmosphere.
4 "Disruption" is demanded by its elements (down -casting) as well as its usage, rather than "foundation", which represents another Greek word.
4 Not, as the English words suggest, that we may be in the future, but "to be" at present.
5 Sonship involves privileges and dignities not granted to children (Gal_4:1-7). The "new" birth has no place in Paul's writings, for he enters the new creation (2Co_5:17).
7 "Pardon" of sins becomes forgiveness when associated with offenses.
10 The heading up of the universe in Christ is the so-called "mystery" or secret of Christ referred to in Eph_3:4-5 (see 1Pe_3:22). It must not be confounded with the secret economy (Eph_3:9) which is in force at present. The two are in accord, but distinct. Christ's headship over the earth had been previously revealed. His heavenly headship was revealed to Peter. The present economy was an absolute secret made known to Paul only.
12 The "perfect" or complete form of the verb marks a state rather than an action. The Circumcision looked for signs and did not expect Messiah until after the great affliction. Those under Paul's ministry were expecting Him at any time. Hence they were in a state of prior expectancy. To such as these this letter was written. To the Thessalonians Paul had first revealed this blessed expectation (1Th_4:13).
13 The subject of these paragraphs is the evangel of the nations : its seal 13, its recognition 17, its prospect 18, its allotment 14, 18, and its power 19. This subject is kept in mind throughout. The argument is as follows: Paul and his associates of the Circumcision received the celestial, spiritual blessings which have been detailed. The earnest of their allotment in Christ was the holy Spirit which was a pledge of its deliverance. As the believers among the nations received the same spirit when they believed, it is a seal to them that they too (13) will enjoy the celestial, spiritual favors which are lavished upon those of the Circumcision who believe in Christ Jesus during His rejection by the nation of Israel.
14 The "spirit of promise" is not what was promised, but a spirit which promises, a promissory spirit. Note carefully the pronouns us 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and we 7, 12 and our 14, and the contrastive you 13, 15, 16, 18 and your 13.
15 "The faith which relates to you" refers to the new truth set forth in this epistle. This letter was probably sent to Ephesus where Paul had taught for two years (Act_19:10) and where he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God (Act_20:27). His prayer for "a spirit of revelation" makes it evident that this epistle deals with a secret (Eph_3:9) of God's purpose (Eph_3:11) quite distinct from His counsels which had been revealed before.
THE BODY-IN CHRIST
THE MEMBERS
23 The sovereignty over the earth is given to the nation of Israel, according to the prophets. The sovereignty over the celestials is the portion of the ecclesia which is His body. Between the two the entire universe is brought under the administration of Christ. Thus His body is the pleroma, or complement, which fills up the lack which earth's deliverance would still leave in the celestial realms. Its function is to fulfill God's purpose for the entire universe, only part of which He is able to accomplish through His people Israel.