Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed

(ευλογητος). Verbal of ευλογεω, common in the LXX for Hebrew baruk (Vulgate benedictus) and applied usually to God, sometimes to men (Genesis 24:31), but in N.T. always to God (Luke 1:68), while ευλογημενος (perfect passive participle) is applied to men (Luke 1:42). "While ευλογημενος points to an isolated act or acts, ευλογητος describes the intrinsic character" (Lightfoot). Instead of the usual ευχαριστουμεν (Colossians 1:3) Paul here uses ευλογητος, elsewhere only in 2 Corinthians 1:3 in opening, though in a doxology in Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 11:31. The copula here is probably εστιν (is), though either εστω (imperative) or ειη (optative as wish) will make sense.The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

(ο θεος κα πατηρ του Κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου). Κα is genuine here, though not in Colossians 1:3. The one article (ο) with θεος κα πατηρ links them together as in 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Galatians 1:4. See also the one article in 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:11. In Ephesians 1:17 we have ο θεος του Κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου, and the words of Jesus in John 20:17.Who hath blessed us

(ο ευλογησας υμας). First aorist active participle of ευλογεω, the same word, antecedent action to the doxology (ευλογητος).With

(εν). So-called instrumental use of εν thoughin

is clear.Every spiritual blessing

(παση ευλογια πνευματικη). Third use of the root ευλογ (verbal, verb, substantive). Paul lovingly plays with the idea. The believer is a citizen of heaven and the spiritual blessings count for most to him.In the heavenly places in Christ

(εν τοις επουρανιοις εν Χριστω). In four other places in Eph. (Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12). This precise phrase (with εν) occurs nowhere else in the N.T. and has a clearly local meaning in Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10, doubtful in Ephesians 6:12, but probably so here. In Ephesians 2:6 the believer is conceived as already seated with Christ. Heaven is the real abode of the citizen of Christ's kingdom (Philippians 3:20) who is a stranger on earth (Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 2:19). The word επουρανιος (heavenly) occurs in various passages in the N.T. in contrast with τα επιγεια (the earthly) as in John 3:12; 1 Corinthians 15:40; 1 Corinthians 15:48; 1 Corinthians 15:49; Philippians 2:10, with πατρις (country) in Hebrews 11:16, with κλησις (calling) in Hebrews 3:1, with δωρεα (gift) in Hebrews 6:4, with βασιλεια (kingdom) in 2 Timothy 4:18.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Ephesians 1:3

Old Testament

New Testament