Ephesians 1:1-6

The key thought in chapter one is the wealth of blessings we have as Christians – spiritual blessings that are ours because we are in Christ (1:3). Paul tells us that each Person of the Godhead has blessed us (vv. 3-14), and then he prays for us to have an understanding of these blessings, and the exceeding greatness of His power that can be in our lives (vv. 15-23)

Paul’s opening greeting (v. 1-2)

Eph 1:1-2 (NKJV) – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, an apostle [apostolos (a-po’-sto-los) - a sent messenger]. Given of Jesus Christ for the equipping of the saints (4:11-12; 1Cor.12:28). It was not man’s choosing or plan. Therefore he had God’s authority backing him. He was commissioned and sent by God.

This letter is addressed to the saints [hagios (ha’-jiy-os) holy, set apart by Yahweh God unto himself and apart from the world] the holy ones at Ephesus. God has made them holy (different) through His salvation.

The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is used 27 times in this letter! Keep in mind that “Christ” is a title (Messiah, the Anointed One and His anointing), not Jesus’ last name. If you are not in Christ, then you are not anointed, and not a saint.

Who is “in Christ?” A member of the body of Christ, vitally united with Him by baptism of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:12-13). Everything God has for the believer is in Christ. If you are born-again, God calls you a saint. (Please STOP calling yourself, “An old sinner, saved by grace!” That confession comes from hell! You are either and old sinner, or you are saved by grace.) Your position is either “in Adam” or “in Jesus.” This phrase, “in Christ Jesus” implies a vital union with the Son of God. Just as the life of a root is found in the soil, or a branch in the vine, or a fish in the sea, so the believer’s true life is found to be in Christ.

[2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you… [charis (cha’-ris) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.] and peace [eirene (ei-ree’-nee) one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.] God’s grace always comes before human peace, they are gifts that are received by faith. They can be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:2). Understanding more of God’s Word always increases our capacity to handle more of His blessings. When we understand His grace, and realize God has already done all the work, all we need to do is receive His gift of grace. All the pressure is off, and peace is the result.

In the Greek, verses 3-14 is one sentence. Even though some translations have a period after verse 12, there is no pause in the Greek.

Let’s look at how the God-head has blessed us;

We Have Been Blessed by God, The Father (1:3-6) We Are Blessed in God, The Son (1:7-12) We Are Blessed with God, The Holy Spirit (1:13-14)

I. We Have Been Blessed by God, The Father (1:3-6)

Eph 1:3-6 (NKJV) – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, [4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, [5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, [6] to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Blessed: [eulogy (eulogô) i.e. thanked, praised.] We bless God when we praise him for, and acknowledge him in, his excellent gifts or benefits.

Has blessed (past tense) us with all spiritual blessings. Spiritual [pneumatikos (pnev-ma-tiy-kos’) that which is motivated and controlled through the spirit.] 1Cor. 12:1 uses this same word for “spiritual” referring to the gifts of the Holy Spirit,