Ephesians Introduction
The Apostle Paul introduced himself as the apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and then addressed the saints in Ephesus. The believers in Ephesus were the first to receive this letter before it was sent to all of the churches. The epistle addresses the Christian’s position in Christ.
The goal of the letter was to make known:
- The hope of God’s calling (1:18)
- The glorious riches of God’s inheritance in the saints (1:18)
- God’s great power toward those who believe (1:19)
In the first three chapters, Paul praises God for all of the spiritual blessings that are in Christ. The last three chapters focus on the “life” or “walk” that is expected of those who are so richly blessed, (4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15). Paul writes to remind the saints and the faithful of their spiritual blessings in Christ (1:3) and exhorts them to “walk worthy of their calling,” (4:1).
Ephesians 1
The key thought in this chapter is the wealth of spiritual blessings we have because we are in Christ (1:3). We are shown how each Person of the Godhead has blessed us (vv. 1–14), and then Paul prays that we might understand these blessings and the power they can be in our lives (vv. 15–23).
The Believer’s Blessings in Jesus Christ
- The Work of the Father: Election (Ephesians 1:3–6)
- The Work of the Son: Redemption (Ephesians 1:7–12)
- The Work of the Spirit: Protection (Ephesians 1:13, 14)
Blessings from the Father (1:1–6)
Ephesians 1:1–2 NIV84 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This message was prepared for the saints and the faithful in Christ Jesus. The word “saints” (hagios) means those who are consecrated to God. They have been made holy by the blood and work of Jesus Christ. They are holy because they belong to Christ. The word “faithful” helps describe these who have been made “holy.” They have put their faith and trust in the Lord. “Grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” are the heritage and blessing that comes to the faithful saints. “Grace” is God’s assistance and “peace” is rest in every circumstance. “Grace” (God’s aid) comes first and then “peace” comes as a result of God’s intervention. We who have believed have received grace and peace.
After telling us to whom this is addressed, the text starts telling us of all of the blessings that come to them.
Ephesians 1:3–4 NIV84 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (v. 3).
The depth of “every spiritual blessing in Christ” is so profound that it requires the work of the Holy Spirit for us to comprehend.
1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
What is the source of our blessings?
First we need to recognize the fact that God has blessed us. God’s blessings are both spiritual and heavenly. God the Father has made us rich in Jesus Christ! When you were born again into God’s family, you were born rich and blessed. Through Christ, you share in the riches of God’s grace (1:7; 2:7), glory (1:18; 3:16), mercy (2:4), and the unsearchable riches of Christ, (3:8).
What is the scope of our blessings?
We are blessed with “Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” This can be translated “all the blessings of Christ that the Holy Spirit makes known to us.” The Holy Spirit has been sent to reveal to us all things, yes, the deep things of God, (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Philippians 4:19 NIV84 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Since the Father has blessed us with EVERY blessing that is in Christ, we are personally blessed in Christ. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever,”(Romans 11:33-36). He loved us so much that He gave Himself for us.
Everything we need for our Christian life is provided in Christ and is at our disposal.
He has chosen us (v. 4).
Ephesians 1:4 NIV84 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
This is the wonderful doctrine of election.
John 15:16 NIV Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…”
In love, God sought the sinner and chose them. Salvation is totally of God. Before the creation of the universe, God chose us. God did not choose us in ourselves; He chose us in Christ, by grace.He has “chosen us” to live with Him, in Him and through Him. All of the sin of your past is dealt with in the blood and sacrifice of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NIV84 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 NIV84 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should consider the depth of the Father’s love, care, and power when He chose us to be saved.
John 6:37 NIV84 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
God has chosen us for Christ.
By choosing us, God has made it possible for us to be made “holy and without blame before Him in love,” (vs.4). This is deep. He has removed the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and has made us acceptable to Himself. “You are of God little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,” (1 John 4:4). By choosing you, the Father has made it possible for your sins to be forgiven and has claimed you as His own.
He has adopted us (v. 5).
Ephesians 1:5-6 NKJV having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
God has adopted us as children. It was the pleasure of God’s will to adopt us as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.
John 3:16 NIV84 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:13 NIV84 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
1 Timothy 2:3–4 NIV84 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV84 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Adoption
Ephesians 1:5 NKJV having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself…
“Adoption” is not the taking in of an outsider; it is placing a family member into the privileges and blessings of adulthood. This is God’s action that is taken to bring us into the destiny that He has planned. Those He has adopted He has made holy before Him, and has given honor and privileges. This means that even the least among us has everything that Christ has and is rich in grace.
Galatians 4:6 NKJV And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
Romans 8:29–35 NIV84 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Ephesians 3:11–12 NIV84 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Pay attention to God’s watchfulness over those who are the beloved in Christ.
We have been brought into God’s family. We are adopted. We have been made sons of God. We have the privileges and authority of sons. We have been made heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. God has lifted us from being slaves to sin and has made us partakers of His richness.
Ephesians 1:6 NKJV to the praise of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.
In ourselves, we are not acceptable to God, but in Christ, we are “made accepted.” Due to God’s Own glorious grace, we have been accepted in Christ. The Epistle to Philemon is a beautiful illustration of this truth. Paul wrote, “Receive your slave Onesimus as you would receive me” (Philemon 17). Though we have sinned, Christ says to the Father, “Receive this person as you would receive Me.”
Trace that wonderful phrase “in Christ” throughout Paul’s letters — you will be thrilled!
- Romans 3:24 — Redemption is in Christ Jesus
- Romans 6:11— Alive to God in Christ Jesus
- Romans 6:23 — Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
- Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus
- Romans 8:39 — The love of God is in Christ Jesus
- 1 Corinthians 15:22 — In Christ all will be made alive.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 — Anyone in Christ…is a new creation.
We should exalt the Lord and praise Him for the glory of His grace and for the wonders of what He has done by accepting us in Christ.
