Thematic Bible
Ephesians 1:1 (show verse)
[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, according to God's will, [and is being sent] to the saints [i.e., God's holy people] at Ephesus [Note: This was a major city in the western province of Asia Minor, and now a part of Turkey. The words "at Ephesus" are omitted in some manuscripts, suggesting it was a circular letter], and the faithful ones in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus [everywhere else ?].
Ephesians 1:2 (show verse)
May you have unearned favor and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
No Themes for this verse.
Ephesians 1:3 (show verse)
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in [fellowship with] Christ. [Note: The term "heavenly realms" is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth].
Ephesians 1:4 (show verse)
Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love
Ephesians 1:5 (show verse)
God predetermined that we should be [considered] His adopted children through [fellowship with] Christ. This is what pleased God and is what He wanted,
Ephesians 1:6 (show verse)
so that we would praise His glorious, unearned favor, which was freely given to us through the One whom God loved [i.e., Christ].
Ephesians 1:7 (show verse)
In [fellowship with] Christ we have redemption [i.e., we have been bought back from Satan] through His blood, and have forgiveness of sins according to the abundance of God's unearned favor,
Ephesians 1:8 (show verse)
which He lavished on us. [He used] wisdom and understanding,
Ephesians 1:9 (show verse)
in doing what He intended through Christ, to make known to us His secret plan, according to what pleased Him.
Ephesians 1:10 (show verse)
[He did this] to fulfill His plan at the proper time, by bringing together everything [in the universe] under Christ's headship --- things both in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 1:11 (show verse)
It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God's] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants.
Ephesians 1:12 (show verse)
The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God's splendor.
Ephesians 1:13 (show verse)
You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"].
Ephesians 1:14 (show verse)
He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.
Ephesians 1:15 (show verse)
For this reason also, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of the saints [i.e., God's holy people],
Ephesians 1:16 (show verse)
I do not stop thanking [God] for you. I keep asking, in my prayers,
Ephesians 1:17 (show verse)
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you a spirit [i.e., a disposition] of wisdom and revelation [or, "give you the spiritual gifts of wisdom and revelation"], so you can have full knowledge of God.
Ephesians 1:18 (show verse)
I pray that your minds will be enlightened so that you will know what the hope is, to which God has called you, and what the glorious abundance is, of God's inheritance in the saints [Note: Paul wanted them to appreciate the value God placed on them],
Ephesians 1:19 (show verse)
and what God's tremendous power [working] in us believers is. [This power is] the same as that utilized by God's mighty strength,
Ephesians 1:20 (show verse)
which He exerted when raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right side in the heavenly realms [i.e., heaven itself].
Ephesians 1:21 (show verse)
[There He is exalted] high above all rulers and authorities and powers and dominion and every name [i.e., title of honor] that can be given, not only in this present age but [also] in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:22 (show verse)
And God placed everything in subjection under His [i.e., Christ's] feet, and appointed Him to be head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 (show verse)
which is His [spiritual] body. The church is completely filled by Christ [or, "Christ is completely filled by God"], who completely fills everything in every way.