In our first study, we observed the blessings from God the Father. He chose us in Christ and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Him. By Christ, the Father has adopted us as sons to Himself.
Blessings from the Son (1:7–12)
Ephesians 1:7–8 NIV84 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
He has redeemed us (v. 7a)
Redemption gives account of the work of Christ that frees us from the bondage, power, and guilt of sin and delivers us into a new life of liberty and freedom in Christ. By giving His life on the cross, Christ purchased us from the slavery of sin.
Redemption means to “buy back or ransom.” We have redemption by the blood of Jesus. We were slaves to sin, but His blood provides the ransom price that nothing else can provide. His blood supplies the release from the guilt and judgment of sin. Sin made all of us captives and subjects of sin and death. The fountain of God’s rich grace and great mercy chose us in Christ and has redeemed us to Himself. We have a present redemption in that He has delivered us from the penalty and power of sin into newness of life. We shall have a future redemption (v. 14) that will be realized when Christ delivers us from the presence of sin at His return and brings us into our eternal inheritance.
He has forgiven us (v. 7b)
“The forgiveness of sins is in accordance with the riches of God’s grace,” (v. 7).
One of the rich blessings of His redemption is the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness and redemption are not the same thing. Christ had to fully satisfy the debt for our sins before we could be forgiven. The word “forgive” literally means “to send away, to release, to let go.” It is translated remission, forgiveness, deliverance and liberty. We are able to see the broad work of forgiveness when by His great mercy, He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, (Psalms 103:12). The word for “sin” means transgression, trespass, a falling by the way, or deviating from the way. All men stand guilty of having broken the law of God, and the penalty for breaking the law is death. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus Christ brings forgiveness to those who put their trust in Him. The terrible burden of sin is sent away when a sinner turns to Christ by faith. Christ carried the burden on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24 NIV84 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
You can take that personally. Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we may go free.
1 Peter 1:18–19 NIV84 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Any person who really believes that Jesus Christ died for them is forgiven of their sins.God sees the believer as being in Jesus Christ, in the death of Jesus Christ.
The mystery of God’s will to us (vv. 8-10)
Ephesians 1:7c–8 NIV84 In accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
God lavished grace upon us when He chose us, predestined, redeemed and adopted us. His actions demonstrate the depth of God’s wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:9-10 NIV84 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
This “mystery” is a divine truth known only by God’s people through revelation.
With all wisdom and understanding the mystery of God’s will has been made known to us. In Christ, we have been made a part of God’s eternal purpose to gather together “all things in Christ.” This “mystery” has been made known to us. We have been made partakers of something that was not available in ages past. Through the redemption that Christ has purchased with His blood, we who believe in Him have been made partakers of God’s grand eternal program and plan.
Romans 11:33 NIV84 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
The profound wisdom and knowledge of God is revealed in this mystery, that God has included us in the inheritance with His Son. The very concept of what God has done should cause every believer to break out in praise.
1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV84 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
1 Corinthians 2:9–10 NIV84 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
When the Apostle Paul had this mystery unveiled to him, he wanted every believer to see this.
Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV84 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
What is this mystery of God?
God will gather together and unify all things, both visible and invisible in Christ.
All things are to be brought to a peaceful and eternal state under the authority and glorification of Jesus Christ. The very atmosphere of heaven is absorbed into this fact. Heaven shows forth the glory of God. All things in heaven are influenced by what Christ our Redeemer has done. What an amazing difference it would make in every believer if their eyes were enlightened to know the depth of what Christ has accomplished for us.
God is moving history toward a climactic consummation.
One day God will usher in a new creation, with all things united in Christ. There will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. This is abundant and amazing grace that has included everyone who believes in Christ Jesus in God’s great plan. This is the hope into which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. God’s grand purpose and plan is made know that He will gather all things in Christ, and that includes us.
Philippians 2:9–11 NIV84 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Ephesians 1:22–23 NIV84 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
He has made us an inheritance (vv. 11–12).
In Christ, we have obtained an eternal inheritance.
Ephesians 1:11–12 NIV84 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Watch this closely. The sovereign and almighty God is working out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. That purpose is to give us an inheritance in Christ (1 Peter 1:3–4), and to make us an inheritance for Christ.
1 Peter 1:3–4 NIV84 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,
Think about the riches of His glory that is revealed by the mercy that He has shown us in this great salvation. What Christ has accomplished in His death, burial and resurrection from the dead has brought us into this inheritance. The church is His body, temple, and bride; and we shall someday share His glory. Consider the fact that what God has done is two fold. He has given us an inheritance in Christ and has made us His inheritance.
Deuteronomy 32:9 NIV84 For the Lord’s portion is his people… his allotted inheritance.
Malachi 3:17 NIV84 “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.”
The Lord Almighty says, “You will be mine…”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV84 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Blessings from the Spirit (1:13–14)
Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV84 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
God has taken some dramatic steps in securing those who are called, chosen, and saved.
He has sealed us (v. 13).
This important verse outlines the way of salvation. The sinner hears the Word of Truth, trusts in Christ, receives the Holy Spirit, and is sealed. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer to provide perfect assurance of their salvation and a sign of God’s ownership. By the Holy Spirit who lives within us, we know we are redeemed and that we are God’s cherished possession. The instant the sinner trusts Christ, the Holy Spirit enters the heart. This sealing means God owns us and will keep us. Nobody can break God’s seal!
Romans 8:16 NIV84 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV84 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Galatians 4:6 NIV84 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
The Holy Spirit is the deposit (v. 14)
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV84 …having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:14 NASB95 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
The word “deposit or pledge” means guarantee, a down payment. The Holy Spirit is the initial payment and guarantee of all that we shall receive in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our eternal salvation. Christ has purchased our future for us, but we have not yet entered into all of the blessings. God has given us His Spirit as the “down payment” to assure us that we will experience total redemption and receive God’s promised blessings in glory. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee that all of God’s promises will be fulfilled. By the Holy Spirit we know that glory awaits us.
At the end of each of these three sections, Paul tells why the Father, the Son, and the Spirit have given us these blessings: “To the praise of His glory” (vv. 6, 12, 14b). Salvation is by God’s grace and for God’s glory! God does not have to save anybody, but when He does save the sinner, He does so for His own glory.
