Spiritual Blessings in Christ (1:3-14)

Introduction:

We began this wonderful study of Ephesians last week with the part of the letter called the introduction. We saw how the author, Paul, who once was a destroyer of the church, had met the risen Christ on the Damascus road, and now is called an apostle of Jesus Christ. We also were introduced to the recipients of this letter, the saints who are in Ephesus; called saints, or holy ones, because of all that the covenant of redemption had done in their lives, and were therefore faithful to live out its reality. We also saw that the ability to live as saints and be faithful was given through the grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

With that as the introduction, we now move into the body of the letter and are immediately presented with the indicatives or facts regarding our sainthood. These Spiritual Blessings in Christ (1:3-14) are carefully broken down into the involvement of each member of the godhead, each meticulously declaring the proactive nature of God’s decrees as that which began before time, but implemented in time, whereby, we say, history is His Story, and ending in eternity future. Thus, the anatomy of Christ’s glorious church will shine throughout eternity as the beacon of God masterpiece, never to be extinguished!

So let’s drink together from the refreshing water of God’s eternal word as we stand before him and read this one complete sentence of Ephesians 1:3-14.

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14

Ephesians 1:3–14 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Main Idea: Because the Spiritual Blessings we receive in Christ Jesus were decreed in the godhead from eternity past, we as his saints are assured that all will be realized in time and eternity future.

We’ve talked about this passage being one long run-on sentence in the Greek, however, this is not because Paul is insensitive to grammar and rambles on without thinking, it is because the entire passage has one theme, one purpose and each word and phrase is necessary to support the sentence. We’ve split it up to give small chunks to munch on but it is one large cohesive whole.

Again, please note the preposition “in”, the preposition of location is used 11x in this passage.

in Him - 6x

in Christ - 3x

in the beloved - 1x

in heavenly places - 1x

The point is that all that we have both now and for all eternity is located where Christ Jesus is. Where he is, we are. All that happens to us flows to and from our location with Christ.

The structure of this great one sentence treatise of Christ blessings begins each main point with the prepositional phrase, in him, and the prepositional phrase, to the praise of his grace, and, to the praise of his glory, ends each main point and shows the ultimate desired outcome of the work of the godhead.

I. Blessings Began with the Father (3-6)

Paul begins this whole section with a doxology by using the adjective blessed (where we get our word eulogy), which means worthy of praise. When we eulogize someone at a funeral, we remember their life and the good things to praise them for. Therefore, God the Father is worthy of our praise. Why? Because he...

A. Chose us for spiritual blessings before creation (3-4a)

(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - God the Father, the first person of the trinity, is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the second person of the trinity. Jesus is said to be eternally begotten of the Father, which is the term of distinction used of God the Son, who is in every other way the exact essence of the Father, and denotes relationship not origin. Remember, Jesus, as God, had no beginning like the Father but his distinction is seen in his relationship with the Father as one who was begotten in eternity past.

Hebrews 5:5 ESV

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;

who has blessed us in Christ - We see that he who is to be eulogized with praise, is actively invoking divine favor upon us who are positioned in his Son.

spiritual blessing in the heavenly places - These blessings are spiritual and transcendent. Nothing in this world can get at them or destroy them. They are inaccessible to anything or anybody but the Father and Son.

(4a) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,

he chose (eklegomai [aor, mid, ind]- to select for one’s own reasons or purpose from a number of alternatives) us in him - Paul rejoices that God chooses people for a relationship with Himself (Rom. 8:29–33; 9:6–26; 11:5, 7, 28; 16:13; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 1:1). Some suggest “in him” means God foresaw who would have faith in Christ and elected them. Not only does this add a thought that is not in the text, but elsewhere Paul teaches that the very state of being “in Christ” is something to which one is chosen (1 Cor. 1:26–31). Scripture no where advocates God choosing actions, but only people apart from actions. Paul says explicitly that the ground of God’s predestinating love is His own good pleasure (vv. 5, 10; cf. Deut. 7:7, 8), not anything we have done or will do (Rom. 9:11, 16). In him, means that God’s choice always had in view a fallen people in union with their Redeemer (2 Tim. 1:9). See also 1 Pet. 1:18–21; Rev. 13:8.

before (preposition of timing or priority) the foundation of the world - the choosing of his people was a necessary priority before the creation of the world, in that, the creation of the world would support and provide the backdrop of the redemption plan for God’s chosen ones.

B. Chose us for adoption to live holy to his glory (4b-6)

(4b) that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

holy and blameless - See 5:27; Col. 1:22. God intends to bring His elect all the way from spiritual death in sin (2:1–5) to the forgiveness of sins in Christ (1:7), and finally to the elimination of all sin from their experience (Rom. 8:29, 30).

In love - If “in love” belongs with the preceding phrase, it helps explain the nature of the holiness and blamelessness to which believers are called; this is consistent with the use of the phrase elsewhere in Ephesians (3:17; 4:2, 15, 16; 5:2). If it belongs with v. 5, the phrase explains predestination not simply as a matter of God’s decision, but as an act of His love (Hos. 11:1). This understanding is probably makes better contextual sense. It is consistent with 2:4, 5.

(5) he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

he predestined (proorizo [aor, act, par] - to decide beforehand or determine ahead of time ) us for adoption to himself as sons

In other words, it was predetermined ahead of time, that not only where we chosen for reasons known only to God, but that those chosen ones would become adopted sons (used positionally without regard to gender) to himself in a time and by a means that he alone would determine.

God’s chosen ones can rest in the reality that all that has happened in their lives, both good and bad, has been preordained by God our Father for the development of us his adopted sons.

Romans 8:14–17 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

through (preposition of means) Jesus Christ - by means of Jesus Christ. There was nothing in us that warranted adoption, but in Christ and through Christ, God the Father chose and adopted us as his very own.

Galatians 4:4–6 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

according (preposition of reference) to the purpose of his will, - the reference point or focus here is the purposed plan of God. God’s purposed plan will laid out the detail which all actions and activities would reference as the standard.

(6) to (preposition of purpose) the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

As we end this section, we are presented with the ultimate purpose of all this planning by God was for his praise and is focused on his work in eternity past.

But how was all of this planning by God brought to fruition? It was a result of the...

II. Blessings Implemented by The Son (7-12)

A. Redeemed us through his blood and by his grace (7)

(7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

In him we have redemption through his blood - only positioned in Christ do we have:

redemption - this redemption implies, 1) emancipation from the curse, by paying the debt, but also, 2) restoration to true liberty. This redemption didn’t just pay the debt we could not pay, but set us free from any future debt and curse.

through (preposition of means) his blood - it is only and exclusively the shedding of Christ’s blood that brought this emancipation and restoration.

the forgiveness of our trespasses - God the Father, the one we offended, truly has forgiven us without strings attached. Our trespasses (those forbidden areas we ventured off into), are forgotten in the sense that they will never be brought up again.

Romans 8:1 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

according (preposition of reference) to the riches of his grace - again the reference point of all of this is the manifold riches of God’s grace. God is not just giving of his riches, but giving according to his riches. Please note that there is nothing in the past, present, or future that hints of any contribution by God grace recipients.

Note that forgiveness and grace are in complete harmony!

B. Revealed to us the mystery of his will (8-9)

(8) which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

which he lavished (perisseuo [aor, act, ind] - overabundance) upon us - the relative pronoun, which, refers back to the riches of his grace given in overabundance

in all wisdom and insight - both wisdom (the application of knowledge) and insight (understanding), are given so as to settle our minds on God’s redemptive revelation in Christ. What did not make sense before now makes sense as God continues...

(9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ -

God had made it known to Paul (3:3), who, in turn, rejoices in being able to proclaim it to others. In addition, grace sanctifies this knowledge to the hearts of those destined to be saved. Paul says, “He made it known to us” (cf. “toward us” in verse 8), that is, to myself and to those whom I am addressing (verse 1)

He caused his grace to overflow … in that he made known to us the mystery of his will! He did not keep it to himself.

It was the Father’s will that the most sublime secret be broadcast far and wide, and that it penetrate deeply into the hearts of those who were his own. God’s plan of salvation, moreover, must be made known in order that it may be accepted by faith, for it is by faith that men are saved.

C. Planned all things by uniting heaven and earth (10)

(10) as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

as a plan (oikonomia - a method or tending to or managing the affairs of a group of people) - God’s plan for Jesus Christ to be the manager of all things will happen in...

the fullness (pleroma - full to capacity) of time - it is the completion of time, when the bottom half of God’s hourglass is full, very similar to Gal 4:4 “4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,”

to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth - we will amplify this in verse 20-22, but in the mean time, it should suffice to say that God’s perfect plan is to have Jesus, his Son, be manager over a unified heaven and earth, both physical and spiritual. This is not a new understanding but we see the same declaration in the great commission of Matthew 28,

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

and in two of his other prison epistles, Colossians, and Philippians:

Colossians 1:20 ESV

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As we look at the world today, we may be thinking that there is very little evidence of this. However, Dr Herman Bavinck wrote in 1955,

“Round about us we observe so many facts which seem to be unreasonable, so much undeserved suffering, so many unaccountable calamities, such an uneven and inexplicable distribution of destiny, and such an enormous contrast between the extremes of joy and sorrow, that anyone reflecting on these things is forced to choose between viewing this universe as if it were governed by the blind will of an unbenign deity, as is done by pessimism, or, upon the basis of Scripture and by faith, to rest in the absolute and sovereign, yet—however incomprehensible—wise and holy will of him who will one day cause the full light of heaven to dawn upon these mysteries of life”

D. Predetermined Inheritance according to his will (11-12)

(11) In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

In him we have obtained an inheritance - our position in Christ has afforded us an inheritance that Peter tells us this detail:

1 Peter 1:3–4 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things (A sweeping statement on the extent of God’s will) according to the counsel of his will - this also is part of the predetermined plan of God, referencing (according to) the standard, the counsel of his will.

(12) so that we who were the first to hope in Christ (Messiah) might be to the praise of his glory.

a praise given by those who in time (the messianic age) have received the promise of his inheritance.

But is there anything in place that guarantees that this will really happen?

III. Blessings Guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (13-14)

A. Sealed Promise (13)

(13) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation - note the gospel is associated with the word of truth. Also note it is the hearing of the gospel that brought about faith...

And believed in him - the result of hearing the gospel, very similar to Romans 10:17 “17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, - The Ephesians would understand the indelible impression made by a king’s signet ring which denoted full authority of the King with death to all who would break that seal. Here, in the same way, the giving of the Holy Spirit is an inward mark or signet ring of God’s ownership of His people, and nothing in heaven or earth can change that!

So it’s one thing to be owned by God, but what promise is there that all will come to fruition? We see next that the Holy Spirit is also the...

B. Guarantee Given (14)

(14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it - The Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and tabernacles with each chosen son of God, is the guarantee (or down payment) that our inheritance will happen and will stay with us until we take possession of it.

to the praise of his glory - a praise given at the final consummation in heaven of our inheritance.

So in summary, these blessings are no small thing, they began with the Father in eternity past, they were implemented by the Son in time, and are guaranteed to come to complete fruition by the Holy Spirit in time and eternaity!

So What?

Do we see that our redemption and subsequent blessings are a combined effort of all members of the godhead?

Do we understand the magnitude of our undeserved blessings in Christ Jesus?

How shall we then live in light of being sealed and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit as we wait to acquire our inheritance?

2 Peter 3:11–13 ESV

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.