Wiersbe Barclay
"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ
2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know
3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe
4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church
SUMMARY
Following a brief salutation (Eph 1:1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an
expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in
Christ (3). In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three
sections. The first section describes those blessings related to the
Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as
sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:4-6). The
second section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g.,
redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of
His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained,
as predestined according to God's will (Eph 1:7-12). The third section
describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with
the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit)
of our inheritance (Eph 1:13-14). The key phrase throughout this section is
"in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual
blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in"
Him (cf. Eph 1:1,3).
The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that
are in this epistle. The prayer in this chapter is for their
"enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase.
Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is
the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward
those who believe (Eph 1:15-19). Regarding this "power", it is the same
power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right
hand. The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority
over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body,
the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Eph 1:20-23)
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (Eph 1:1-3)
A. THE AUTHOR (Eph 1:1)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. By the will of God
B. THE RECIPIENTS (Eph 1:1)
1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
2. The faithful in Christ Jesus
C. THE SALUTATION (Eph 1:2)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (Eph 1:3)
1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed
(praised)
2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ
II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (Eph 1:3-14)
A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (Eph 1:4-6)
1. We are chosen by God (Eph 1:4)
a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
2. We are predestined by God (Eph 1:5-6)
a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
-- To the praise of His glorious grace
3. We are accepted by God (Eph 1:6)
a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)
B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (Eph 1:7-12)
1. God has redeemed us (Eph 1:7)
a. Redeemed in Christ
b. Redeemed through His blood
2. God has forgiven us (Eph 1:7-8)
a. Forgiven us of our sins
b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
1) Which God has made to abound toward us
2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
3. God has revealed His will to us (Eph 1:9-10)
a. Revealed the mystery of His will
1) According to His good pleasure
2) Which He purposed in Himself
b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in
Christ
1) Things in heaven
2) Things on earth
4. God has given us an inheritance (Eph 1:11-12)
a. An inheritance predestined by God
1) According to His purpose
2) Who works all things according to His will
b. An inheritance...
1) For those who first trusted in Christ
2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory
C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph 1:13-14)
1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (Eph 1:13)
a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth,
the gospel of salvation
b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise
2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (Eph 1:14)
a. The guarantee of our inheritance
b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased
possession
-- To the praise of God's glory
III. PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER: FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (Eph 1:15-23)
A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (Eph 1:15-16)
1. Having heard of their:
a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
b. Love for all their saints
2. Resulting in his:
a. Unceasing thanks for them
b. Making mention of them in his prayers
B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (Eph 1:17-23)
1. To whom addressed (Eph 1:17)
a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
b. The Father of glory
2. That God would...
a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17)
b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (Eph 1:18)
3. That they might know...
a. The knowledge of God (Eph 1:17)
b. The hope of His calling (Eph 1:18)
c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:18)
d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe
(19a)
4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ (Eph 1:19-20)
b. The same mighty power which...
1) Raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:20)
2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
(20c-21)
a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion,
and every name
b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to
come
3) Put all things under His feet (Eph 1:22)
4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22-23)
a) Which is His body
b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (Eph 1:1-3)
- Our spiritual possessions in Christ (Eph 1:3-14)
- Paul's first prayer: for their enlightenment (Eph 1:15-23)
2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (Eph 1:3)
- Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ
3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Father? (Eph 1:4-6)
- He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
- He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
- He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)
4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son? (Eph 1:7-12)
- God has redeemed us through His Son's blood
- God has forgiven us of our sins
- God has revealed His will to us
- God has given us an inheritance
5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy Spirit? (Eph 1:13-14)
- We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
- We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance
6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf? (Eph 1:15-16)
- Of their faith in the Lord Jesus
- Of their love for all the saints
7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be enlightened? (Eph 1:17-19)
- The knowledge of God
- The hope of His calling
- The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
- The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe
8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (Eph 1:20)
- The mighty power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the
dead and seating Him at His right hand
9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (Eph 1:21)
- Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
that is named, both now and in the age to come
10) What has been placed under His feet? Over what is He the head? (Eph 1:23)
- All things
- The church
11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (Eph 1:23)
- His body
- The fullness of Him who fills all in all
Chapter I The Foreordination of the Church
Summary--The Salutation. Our Election and Adoption by Grace. This the Source of Salvation. The Mystery Made Known. The Inheritance. Prayer that Wisdom and Knowledge Be Given to the Saints.
1, 2. Paul, an apostle. It was always the custom anciently to place the name of the writer at the beginning rather than at the end as with us. By the will of God. Emphasis is placed in most of Paul's epistles upon the fact that he was not an apostle by the appointment of man, but by the will of God. To the saints at Ephesus. All Christians were called saints in the early church. See the salutations of other Epistles. And to the faithful. The same as the saints. There is no article in the Greek before “faithful.” A literal translation is “To the saints dwelling in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus.”
2. Grace. For note on the salutation, see Rom 1:7.
3-6. Blessed be the God. The word rendered “blessed” is one from which our word eulogize is derived. It means, therefore, primarily, to praise. “Praised be the God,” etc., gives the idea. Who hath blessed us. The blessed is here from the same root. The word means, as above, “to praise,” or to “speak” good things of one; then to “speak” good things to, or bestow blessings, as a secondary meaning. This is the meaning here. With all spiritual blessings. All came from God, and he has withheld none from those in Christ. In the heavenly. In the kingdom of heaven.
4. According as. “Even as,” in Revision. Chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people confined to no one earthly race. Holy and without blame. God chose them that they might be holy. Holiness is the proof that a church is a chosen church.
5. Having predestinated us. Foreordained that we, the church of Jesus Christ, should be adopted as his children. The whole line of argument is general instead of particular. God foreordained a church which should be composed of those adopted as his children. According to the pleasure of his will. The act of predestination was due simply to God's sovereign will. His will was the cause.
6. To the praise of the glory of his grace. To the end that his grace in adopting us as children may redound to his praise and glory. In the beloved. In Christ. See Matt 3:17; Col 1:13.
7-12. In whom we have redemption through his blood. (1) We are in bondage to sin; (2) Christ redeems us; (3) the price paid is his blood. Compare Matt 20:28; Matt 26:28; Acts 20:28; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:19. Those redeemed are forgiven.
8. Which he made to abound. The grace of God (see Eph 1:7). It abounded in all wisdom and prudence. These attributes, ascribed to God, are fully shown in his grace and mercy.
9. Having made known unto us. To all who receive the adoption of Christ. The mystery of his will. The word “mystery” is used in the sense of something beyond human comprehension until revealed. This “mystery of his will” is revealed and is declared in the next verse. According to his good pleasure. See Eph 1:5.
10. He now states the mystery which God had revealed. In the dispensation of the fulness of times. In the last dispensation which came in the fulness of time; when the times were full, or ripe. Fulness of time is often applied to the period of Christ's coming. See Gal 4:4; Heb 1:2; Heb 9:10; 1 Peter 1:20. That he might gather together in one all things in Christ. That the scattered families and tribes of men, both Jews and Gentiles, should all be gathered and united under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels, all things in heaven and earth, all should be united under Christ as head, so that he should be “all and in all” See Rev 5:13. Compare Matt 28:18, and many other passages which are parallel in thought.
11. In whom we were made a heritage. See the Revision. We are in Christ made the heritage of God, or God's part. Having been predestinated. According to his will he predestinated us, the church, to the adoption of sons, and to be his heritage.
12. We should be to the praise of his glory. This is the final result of our predestination and adoption. We who first trusted in Christ. Jewish believers like Paul who had the Christian hope before (see Revision) the Gentiles.
13, 14. In whom ye also trusted. The “we” of Eph 1:12 refers to Jewish believers; the “ye,” to Gentile believers, like most of the Ephesians, who also trusted, after that they heard, etc. They not only hoped, but believed. That is, they became believers, by trusting obedience; then they were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. After they were converted, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon them. It was a “promise” (Acts 1:4). The seal was attached to a letter or legal document to authenticate it to the world. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, was God's authentication to the world that the converts to Christ were accepted as his children. The presence of the new Spirit was shown by a new life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance. The “earnest” money was a small part of the purchase money given in hand to bind the bargain. Paul says that the Holy Spirit given to God's children is such earnest of the inheritance that he will bestow, a small part given now as a proof to his adopted children. Until the redemption, etc. Rather, “Unto.” This “earnest” given is looking unto the final and complete redemption from the grave of the purchased possession, the children of God bought with Christ's blood.
15, 16. After I heard of your faith. This verse has been thought to show that Paul was not personally acquainted with those to whom he wrote, and hence that this letter could not be addressed to the Ephesians; but he used similar language of Philemon, one of his own converts. See Philemon 1:5. The language is natural if Paul left Ephesus in the spring of a.d. 57, and wrote this letter about the close of a.d. 62 (Conybeare and Howson), more than five years after. During this period he could only know of the faith and love of the Ephesians by what he heard.
16. Cease not to give thanks. Because he heard so favorable a report.
17-19. That. This introduces the things for which he prayed God in their behalf. The Father of glory. The source of all spiritual glory. Give unto you the Spirit of wisdom. A gift of the Spirit. See notes on 1 Cor 12:8. Divine wisdom works wisdom in believers. And revelation. The Spirit that reveals a knowledge of God and spiritual mysteries. This Spirit would enable them to better comprehend the “mystery” of God, the divine plans for human redemption in a better knowledge of him.
18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened. “Heart,” in the Revision. The moving of the Spirit gives light. See Gen 1:2. This would follow if they were given “the Spirit of wisdom,” etc. That ye may know. Have a fuller comprehension. The hope of his calling. The hope of eternal life to which God had called them. The riches, etc. See Col 1:27. The heavenly inheritance given in the saints, rich beyond our conception. See Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18.
19. The exceeding greatness of his power. He prays that they may have greater knowledge of three things: (1) Of eternal life (the hope); (2) of the glorious inheritance, and (3) of God's mighty power towards believers. This mighty power works to raise them from sin, as it worked to raise Christ from the dead. However the power works, it is the same power that raised Jesus.
20-23. Which he wrought in Christ. God's power wrought in Christ in the tomb so that he came forth living. At his own right hand. The Scriptures represent Christ at God's right hand. See Mark 16:19; Heb 8:1; Heb 10:12; Heb 12:2; Col 3:1. His seat there indicates his glory, and also that the work of redemption has been wrought.
21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion. Above all the angelic hierarchy. See Rom 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22; also Eph 3:10. The same terms are applied to evil spirits in Eph 6:12. Christ is above all angels, good or evil. Above every name. Every person, office and dignity, whether in this present state, or in that to come.
22. And hath put all things under his feet. All power was given into his hands when he was raised from the dead (Matt 28:18). He is the rightful ruler of all. And gave him to be the head, etc. He was, when raised from the dead (Eph 1:20), exalted to be the ruler of all things and made the Head of the church; not merely its ruler, but the Head of the Body, which derives its life from the Head. Compare 1 Cor 10:17; 1 Cor 12:27. Note that this exaltation is after the cross and the resurrection, definitely showing that Christ's church was not organized until after our Lord's suffering.
23. Which is his body. His spiritual body, living by union with the Head, pervaded by the life of Christ. The fulness of him. The church is a manifestation of the fulness of Christ, the body filled by his life, who filleth all in all. Filleth all things with his majesty and power. The object of the last four verses is to describe Christ's glories. These are: (1) His resurrection; (2) His Exaltation to God's Right Hand; (3) His Supreme Dominion; (4) His Headship to the Church, his Body, filled with His Fulness. These glories all follow his stooping unto the death of the cross. He abased himself that he might be exalted. “For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
"THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
1) To review the wonderful blessings God has provided in Christ
2) To understand what Paul desired the Ephesians that they know
3) To notice the greatness of God's power toward those who believe
4) To consider the exalted position of Christ and His church
SUMMARY
Following a brief salutation (Eph 1:1-2), Paul begins this epistle with an
expression of praise to God for the spiritual blessings that are in
Christ (3). In this doxology is a list of blessings divided into three
sections. The first section describes those blessings related to the
Father, how He has chosen us in Christ, predestined us to adoption as
sons to Himself, and made us accepted in the Beloved (Eph 1:4-6). The
second section focuses on those blessings in relation to the Son, e.g.,
redemption through His blood, forgiveness of sins, the revelation of
His will concerning Jesus Christ, and the inheritance we have obtained,
as predestined according to God's will (Eph 1:7-12). The third section
describes blessings related to the Holy Spirit, how we are sealed with
the Spirit of promise, and how He serves as a "guarantee" (or deposit)
of our inheritance (Eph 1:13-14). The key phrase throughout this section is
"in Him" (or "in Whom") which stresses the point that all spiritual
blessing come through Jesus Christ and enjoyed by those who are "in"
Him (cf. Eph 1:1,3).
The last half of the chapter contains Paul's first of two prayers that
are in this epistle. The prayer in this chapter is for their
"enlightenment", that their knowledge and understanding might increase.
Paul especially desires that they might know God more fully, what is
the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints, and what is the great power of God toward
those who believe (Eph 1:15-19). Regarding this "power", it is the same
power God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seat Him at His right
hand. The exalted position now enjoyed by Christ includes authority
over all things, especially the church which is described as "His body,
the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Eph 1:20-23)
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (Eph 1:1-3)
A. THE AUTHOR (Eph 1:1)
1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
2. By the will of God
B. THE RECIPIENTS (Eph 1:1)
1. The saints (who are in Ephesus)
2. The faithful in Christ Jesus
C. THE SALUTATION (Eph 1:2)
1. Grace and peace
2. From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
D. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE (Eph 1:3)
1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be blessed
(praised)
2. For He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ
II. OUR SPIRITUAL POSSESSIONS IN CHRIST (Eph 1:3-14)
A. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE FATHER (Eph 1:4-6)
1. We are chosen by God (Eph 1:4)
a. Chosen in Christ before the world began
b. Chosen to holy and without blame before Him in love
2. We are predestined by God (Eph 1:5-6)
a. Predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
b. Predestined according to the good pleasure of His Will
-- To the praise of His glorious grace
3. We are accepted by God (Eph 1:6)
a. Accepted by virtue of His glorious grace
b. Accepted in the Beloved (Christ)
B. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE SON (Eph 1:7-12)
1. God has redeemed us (Eph 1:7)
a. Redeemed in Christ
b. Redeemed through His blood
2. God has forgiven us (Eph 1:7-8)
a. Forgiven us of our sins
b. Forgiven us according to the riches of His grace
1) Which God has made to abound toward us
2) Abounding in all wisdom and prudence
3. God has revealed His will to us (Eph 1:9-10)
a. Revealed the mystery of His will
1) According to His good pleasure
2) Which He purposed in Himself
b. Revealed how He will gather together in one all things in
Christ
1) Things in heaven
2) Things on earth
4. God has given us an inheritance (Eph 1:11-12)
a. An inheritance predestined by God
1) According to His purpose
2) Who works all things according to His will
b. An inheritance...
1) For those who first trusted in Christ
2) So they can be to the praise of God's glory
C. BLESSINGS INVOLVING THE HOLY SPIRIT (Eph 1:13-14)
1. The Holy Spirit is our "seal" (Eph 1:13)
a. Having trusted in Christ after hearing the word of truth,
the gospel of salvation
b. Having believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of
promise
2. The Holy Spirit is our "guarantee" (Eph 1:14)
a. The guarantee of our inheritance
b. The guarantee until the redemption of the purchased
possession
-- To the praise of God's glory
III. PAUL'S FIRST PRAYER: FOR THEIR ENLIGHTENMENT (Eph 1:15-23)
A. THAT WHICH PRECIPITATED HIS PRAYER (Eph 1:15-16)
1. Having heard of their:
a. Faith in the Lord Jesus
b. Love for all their saints
2. Resulting in his:
a. Unceasing thanks for them
b. Making mention of them in his prayers
B. THE CONTENT OF HIS PRAYER (Eph 1:17-23)
1. To whom addressed (Eph 1:17)
a. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ
b. The Father of glory
2. That God would...
a. Give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17)
b. Enlighten the eyes of their understanding (Eph 1:18)
3. That they might know...
a. The knowledge of God (Eph 1:17)
b. The hope of His calling (Eph 1:18)
c. The riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints (Eph 1:18)
d. The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe
(19a)
4. Regarding this power toward us who believe...
a. It is according to working of God's mighty power in Christ (Eph 1:19-20)
b. The same mighty power which...
1) Raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:20)
2) Seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
(20c-21)
a) Far above all principality, power, might, dominion,
and every name
b) Not only in this age, but also in that which is to
come
3) Put all things under His feet (Eph 1:22)
4) Gave Him to be head over all things to the church (Eph 1:22-23)
a) Which is His body
b) Which is the fullness of Him who fills all in all
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (Eph 1:1-3)
- Our spiritual possessions in Christ (Eph 1:3-14)
- Paul's first prayer: for their enlightenment (Eph 1:15-23)
2) Why is God to be blessed (praised)? (Eph 1:3)
- Because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places in Christ
3) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Father? (Eph 1:4-6)
- He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
- He predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ
- He made us acceptable in the Beloved (Jesus)
4) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Son? (Eph 1:7-12)
- God has redeemed us through His Son's blood
- God has forgiven us of our sins
- God has revealed His will to us
- God has given us an inheritance
5) What blessings have we received that pertain especially to the Holy Spirit? (Eph 1:13-14)
- We have been "sealed" by the Holy Spirit
- We have received the Spirit as a "guarantee" of our inheritance
6) What had Paul heard, that prompted his prayers in their behalf? (Eph 1:15-16)
- Of their faith in the Lord Jesus
- Of their love for all the saints
7) Concerning what did Paul pray that his readers might know and be enlightened? (Eph 1:17-19)
- The knowledge of God
- The hope of His calling
- The riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
- The exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe
8) According to what is God's power toward those who believe? (Eph 1:20)
- The mighty power God worked in Christ, in raising Him from the
dead and seating Him at His right hand
9) What is Christ's exalted position at God's right hand? (Eph 1:21)
- Far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name
that is named, both now and in the age to come
10) What has been placed under His feet? Over what is He the head? (Eph 1:23)
- All things
- The church
11) What is the church in relation to Christ? (Eph 1:23)
- His body
- The fullness of Him who fills all in all
Chapter I The Foreordination of the Church
Summary--The Salutation. Our Election and Adoption by Grace. This the Source of Salvation. The Mystery Made Known. The Inheritance. Prayer that Wisdom and Knowledge Be Given to the Saints.
1, 2. Paul, an apostle. It was always the custom anciently to place the name of the writer at the beginning rather than at the end as with us. By the will of God. Emphasis is placed in most of Paul's epistles upon the fact that he was not an apostle by the appointment of man, but by the will of God. To the saints at Ephesus. All Christians were called saints in the early church. See the salutations of other Epistles. And to the faithful. The same as the saints. There is no article in the Greek before “faithful.” A literal translation is “To the saints dwelling in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus.”
2. Grace. For note on the salutation, see Rom 1:7.
3-6. Blessed be the God. The word rendered “blessed” is one from which our word eulogize is derived. It means, therefore, primarily, to praise. “Praised be the God,” etc., gives the idea. Who hath blessed us. The blessed is here from the same root. The word means, as above, “to praise,” or to “speak” good things of one; then to “speak” good things to, or bestow blessings, as a secondary meaning. This is the meaning here. With all spiritual blessings. All came from God, and he has withheld none from those in Christ. In the heavenly. In the kingdom of heaven.
4. According as. “Even as,” in Revision. Chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people confined to no one earthly race. Holy and without blame. God chose them that they might be holy. Holiness is the proof that a church is a chosen church.
5. Having predestinated us. Foreordained that we, the church of Jesus Christ, should be adopted as his children. The whole line of argument is general instead of particular. God foreordained a church which should be composed of those adopted as his children. According to the pleasure of his will. The act of predestination was due simply to God's sovereign will. His will was the cause.
6. To the praise of the glory of his grace. To the end that his grace in adopting us as children may redound to his praise and glory. In the beloved. In Christ. See Matt 3:17; Col 1:13.
7-12. In whom we have redemption through his blood. (1) We are in bondage to sin; (2) Christ redeems us; (3) the price paid is his blood. Compare Matt 20:28; Matt 26:28; Acts 20:28; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:22; 1 Pet 1:19. Those redeemed are forgiven.
8. Which he made to abound. The grace of God (see Eph 1:7). It abounded in all wisdom and prudence. These attributes, ascribed to God, are fully shown in his grace and mercy.
9. Having made known unto us. To all who receive the adoption of Christ. The mystery of his will. The word “mystery” is used in the sense of something beyond human comprehension until revealed. This “mystery of his will” is revealed and is declared in the next verse. According to his good pleasure. See Eph 1:5.
10. He now states the mystery which God had revealed. In the dispensation of the fulness of times. In the last dispensation which came in the fulness of time; when the times were full, or ripe. Fulness of time is often applied to the period of Christ's coming. See Gal 4:4; Heb 1:2; Heb 9:10; 1 Peter 1:20. That he might gather together in one all things in Christ. That the scattered families and tribes of men, both Jews and Gentiles, should all be gathered and united under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels, all things in heaven and earth, all should be united under Christ as head, so that he should be “all and in all” See Rev 5:13. Compare Matt 28:18, and many other passages which are parallel in thought.
11. In whom we were made a heritage. See the Revision. We are in Christ made the heritage of God, or God's part. Having been predestinated. According to his will he predestinated us, the church, to the adoption of sons, and to be his heritage.
12. We should be to the praise of his glory. This is the final result of our predestination and adoption. We who first trusted in Christ. Jewish believers like Paul who had the Christian hope before (see Revision) the Gentiles.
13, 14. In whom ye also trusted. The “we” of Eph 1:12 refers to Jewish believers; the “ye,” to Gentile believers, like most of the Ephesians, who also trusted, after that they heard, etc. They not only hoped, but believed. That is, they became believers, by trusting obedience; then they were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. After they were converted, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon them. It was a “promise” (Acts 1:4). The seal was attached to a letter or legal document to authenticate it to the world. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, was God's authentication to the world that the converts to Christ were accepted as his children. The presence of the new Spirit was shown by a new life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance. The “earnest” money was a small part of the purchase money given in hand to bind the bargain. Paul says that the Holy Spirit given to God's children is such earnest of the inheritance that he will bestow, a small part given now as a proof to his adopted children. Until the redemption, etc. Rather, “Unto.” This “earnest” given is looking unto the final and complete redemption from the grave of the purchased possession, the children of God bought with Christ's blood.
15, 16. After I heard of your faith. This verse has been thought to show that Paul was not personally acquainted with those to whom he wrote, and hence that this letter could not be addressed to the Ephesians; but he used similar language of Philemon, one of his own converts. See Philemon 1:5. The language is natural if Paul left Ephesus in the spring of a.d. 57, and wrote this letter about the close of a.d. 62 (Conybeare and Howson), more than five years after. During this period he could only know of the faith and love of the Ephesians by what he heard.
16. Cease not to give thanks. Because he heard so favorable a report.
17-19. That. This introduces the things for which he prayed God in their behalf. The Father of glory. The source of all spiritual glory. Give unto you the Spirit of wisdom. A gift of the Spirit. See notes on 1 Cor 12:8. Divine wisdom works wisdom in believers. And revelation. The Spirit that reveals a knowledge of God and spiritual mysteries. This Spirit would enable them to better comprehend the “mystery” of God, the divine plans for human redemption in a better knowledge of him.
18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened. “Heart,” in the Revision. The moving of the Spirit gives light. See Gen 1:2. This would follow if they were given “the Spirit of wisdom,” etc. That ye may know. Have a fuller comprehension. The hope of his calling. The hope of eternal life to which God had called them. The riches, etc. See Col 1:27. The heavenly inheritance given in the saints, rich beyond our conception. See Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18.
19. The exceeding greatness of his power. He prays that they may have greater knowledge of three things: (1) Of eternal life (the hope); (2) of the glorious inheritance, and (3) of God's mighty power towards believers. This mighty power works to raise them from sin, as it worked to raise Christ from the dead. However the power works, it is the same power that raised Jesus.
20-23. Which he wrought in Christ. God's power wrought in Christ in the tomb so that he came forth living. At his own right hand. The Scriptures represent Christ at God's right hand. See Mark 16:19; Heb 8:1; Heb 10:12; Heb 12:2; Col 3:1. His seat there indicates his glory, and also that the work of redemption has been wrought.
21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion. Above all the angelic hierarchy. See Rom 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22; also Eph 3:10. The same terms are applied to evil spirits in Eph 6:12. Christ is above all angels, good or evil. Above every name. Every person, office and dignity, whether in this present state, or in that to come.
22. And hath put all things under his feet. All power was given into his hands when he was raised from the dead (Matt 28:18). He is the rightful ruler of all. And gave him to be the head, etc. He was, when raised from the dead (Eph 1:20), exalted to be the ruler of all things and made the Head of the church; not merely its ruler, but the Head of the Body, which derives its life from the Head. Compare 1 Cor 10:17; 1 Cor 12:27. Note that this exaltation is after the cross and the resurrection, definitely showing that Christ's church was not organized until after our Lord's suffering.
23. Which is his body. His spiritual body, living by union with the Head, pervaded by the life of Christ. The fulness of him. The church is a manifestation of the fulness of Christ, the body filled by his life, who filleth all in all. Filleth all things with his majesty and power. The object of the last four verses is to describe Christ's glories. These are: (1) His resurrection; (2) His Exaltation to God's Right Hand; (3) His Supreme Dominion; (4) His Headship to the Church, his Body, filled with His Fulness. These glories all follow his stooping unto the death of the cross. He abased himself that he might be exalted. “For the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
