1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Paul

Date Penned: (60 AD)

Overview: Paul Proclaiming Unity in the Body (c 1-6)

Theme: Unity in Christ (c 1-3)

Message: Spiritual Blessings (v 1-23)

Ephesians 1 Commentary

(1:1-2) Greetings from Paul - Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus and the surrounding churches to give them in-depth teaching about how to nurture and maintain the unity of the church. He wanted to put this important information in written form because he was in prison for preaching the gospel and could not visit the churches himself. Paul apparently received reports that the Ephesian church held up well against false teachers. However, perhaps the love, care, and unity Paul had called for were lacking. Thus, this letter speaks much of love and unity and the outworkings of these in relationships in the home and in the church. Paul knew that such teaching was needed not only in Ephesus but in every church—again pointing to the probable circular nature of this letter. Indeed Paul’s words applied in Ephesus and in all the Asian churches—and they apply to our churches today.

(1:3-14) Spiritual Blessings - Here begins a lengthy passage that praises God for what he has done for us in Jesus Christ. Paul, writing in Greek, wrote one long sentence from 1:3 to 1:14 (which is not reflected in English). It forms the longest sentence ever found in ancient Greek. In this sentence, Paul introduced most of the themes he develops in this epistle. This complex sentence is very difficult to analyze. Paul heaped praise upon praise, one thought leading into another, which then would remind him of another. This section forms a blessing, in Hebrew called a berakah, frequently used in Jewish liturgy. It is a eulogy for God and for all the blessings he gives his people.

(1:15-23) Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom - As verses 3-14 are one long sentence in the Greek, so are verses 15-23. As verses 3-14 are and extended eulogy, verses 15-23 are an extended thanksgiving. Verses 15-16 are the thanksgiving proper: verses 17-19 are an intercessory prayer: verses 20-23 are confession of praise for God's Power.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we start in the book of Ephesians with Chapter 1 and in our text we see Paul encouraging this Church at Ephesus with a message of Unity for both the individual and the body. In this chapter we see that we are designed to be saved and part of the body of Christ. In making application we see that God's Design for us is to be Saved and Part of the Body of Christ. Today many reject the love of Christ and allow the enemy to keep them from being unified in the body of Christ. How about You? Do you see God's plan in your life. Let us learn from our text today and the words of Paul who reminds us of God's Design for our lives - to be saved and to be apart of the unified body of Christ that does His Will in these last days before Jesus comes again to receive His Bride.