ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ephesians 1

Eph. 1:1–14 Introduction. Paul greets the believers in Ephesus (vv. 1–2) and offers praise to God (vv. 3–14). He expresses the letter’s two main themes: Christ has reconciled all of creation and has united the church in himself.

Eph. 1:1 apostle. See note on Rom. 1:1. Paul expresses his authority simply but powerfully: he is an apostle of Christ Jesus. In Ephesians, Paul uses the term saints (“holy ones”; “consecrated people”) for all members of the church (Eph. 1:15; 18; 2:19; 3:8; 4:12; 6:18). They are called to be holy (1:4; 5:3). in Ephesus. These words are missing in several early manuscripts, but they are probably original to the letter. Some scholars believe Ephesians was intended to be shared with churches in the area; they suggest that the words “in Ephesus” were deleted in the copies that were sent outside of Ephesus. Ephesus was an important port city and was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. It was home to the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Eph. 1:3–14 In the original Greek, this section is one long, elegant sentence. Paul shows that the triune God began and completed reconciliation and redemption of the world for the praise of his glory.

Eph. 1:3 in Christ. All God’s blessings are ours “in Christ” (vv. 3, 9), “in the Beloved” (v. 6), and “in him” (vv. 4, 7, 11, 13). every spiritual blessing. The saving gifts of God are given by the Holy Spirit. heavenly places. The Christian’s future home (1 Cor. 15:40, 44–50).

Eph. 1:4 he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. God’s decision to redeem believers from sin and death was planned all along “in Christ.” holy and blameless before him. Holiness here describes moral purity while blamelessness expresses the idea of freedom from guilt (v. 7; 2:1; 5).

Eph. 1:5 predestined. Previously ordained or appointed. adoption to himself as sons. See v. 11; Rom. 8:29–30. All Christians, male and female, are “sons” of God. They are all adopted heirs who will inherit blessings from their Father in heaven. according to the purpose of his will. God’s will is to pour out his grace and goodness on believers in Christ Jesus (see also Eph. 1:9, 11).

Eph. 1:6 God’s ultimate purpose is the praise of his glorious name through redemption (see vv. 12, 14).

Eph. 1:7 Redemption means ransoming from captivity or slavery. The supreme OT example was the exodus, where God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt (see Deut. 7:8; 2 Sam. 7:23). forgiveness of our trespasses. Christians are freed from slavery to sin and guilt by Christ’s blood. His death was an atoning sacrifice (see also Eph. 2:13; Heb. 9:15).

Eph. 1:9 In Scripture, mystery refers to the revealing of something previously hidden (see note on Col. 1:26–27). The mystery of God’s will, now revealed in Christ, is “to unite all things in him” (Eph. 1:10; see also 3:3–11).

Eph. 1:10 fullness of time. The time for the fulfillment of God’s plan. unite. God has reconciled all creation in Christ.

Eph. 1:11 Have obtained an inheritance means being assured of eternal life. predestined. God is firmly in control of history. This is in sharp contrast with the pagan gods of the time, who were often viewed as inconsistent or unable to act. who works all things according to the counsel of his will. Everything that occurs is in some sense predestined by God. As for tragedies and evil, the writers of Scripture never blame God for them (see Rom. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:14; also Job 1:21–22). They are confident that evil will eventually be defeated. They believe God’s good plans will be fulfilled. How God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together is, nonetheless, a mystery no one fully understands.

Eph. 1:12 praise. See note on v. 6.

Eph. 1:13 Sealed may mean that the Holy Spirit protects and preserves Christians until they receive their inheritance (see 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22; Rev. 7:2–3). It could also mean the Spirit “certifies” them as genuine believers; they bear the “royal seal” (see John 3:33; Acts 10:44, 47).

Eph. 1:15–23 Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving. This section, like vv. 3–14, is a single sentence in the original Greek. Paul prays that the church will gain deep insight into the Lord’s powerful working and rich gifts in Christ.

Eph. 1:15 because I have heard. Paul had spent some time in Ephesus a few years before the writing of this letter, but he would not have known the newer believers in the area.

Eph. 1:16 do not cease . . . in my prayers. See note on 6:18.

Eph. 1:17 To name the Father of glory as the God of our Lord Jesus Christ is not to deny Christ’s deity. Rather, it affirms Christ’s true humanity. Spirit of wisdom refers to the Holy Spirit giving Christians insights into God’s Word and saving knowledge of him (see 1 Cor. 2:6–12).

Eph. 1:18–19 Paul prays that believers will understand the blessings that are theirs in Christ: (1) their future hope; (2) God’s inheritance in the saints; and (3) their “power” in Christ. The “inheritance” here is not the Christian’s inheritance; it is his (God’s). God looks forward to enjoying forever the people he has saved. immeasurable greatness of his power. Power over supernatural forces through magic and the occult was a great concern in ancient times (Acts 19:19). The power of the living God in Christ defeats all competing authorities (Acts 19:20).

Eph. 1:22 put all things. Paul quotes Ps. 8:6 as being fulfilled by Christ’s authority over all creation and as head over the church. head. See note on 1 Cor. 11:3.

Eph. 1:23 Christ has so identified himself with his church that it is called his body—in much the same way that husband and wife are “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24; see note on Eph. 5:28–30).