Ephesians

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Destination

Ephesus was a leading center in the Roman Empire. Paul had spent a short time in Ephesus on his way back to Antioch from his second missionary journey (Acts 18:19–22). On his third missionary journey he stayed in Ephesus three years (Acts 20:31). Several remarkable things happened in Ephesus. Paul baptized a dozen of John the Baptist’s followers (Acts 19:1–7). He had discussions in the hall of Tyrannus (19:8–10). Unusual miracles occurred (19:11–12), strange events took place (19:13–16), sorcerers were converted (19:17–20), and the city rioted over silversmith Demetrius’ loss of business because of people who turned to Christ from worshiping the great Ephesian goddess Artemis (19:23–41). On Paul’s return to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey he gave a moving farewell address to the Ephesian elders at the coastal town of Miletus (20:13–35). That was his last time to see them (20:36–38), unless Paul visited Ephesus after he was in Rome (cf. 1 Tim. 1:3 with 3:14).

Key Scriptures:

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

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,

Blessed Us: to bless (favor) v. — to invoke (or enact) divine favor, often implying a positive disposition or kind actions toward the recipient.

In Christ - The Blessing can only be obtained in Christ

“Every Spiritual Blessing”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:3

The manner or sphere of this enrichment is in Christ. The place of these “blessings” is in the heavenly realms, as opposed to the earthly realm of the Ephesian goddess Artemis. Thus these blessings are spiritual not material, heavenly not earthly, eternal not temporal (2 Cor. 4:18; Col. 3:1–4). Five times Paul used the phrase “in the heavenly realms”: in Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12.

Paul continued his discussion of believers’ spiritual blessings by showing that they are based on the work of the three Persons of the Trinity: the selection of the Father (vv. 4–6), the sacrifice of the Son (vv. 7–12), and the seal of the Spirit (vv. 13–14).

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

He (God) Chose us

to choose v. — to select for one’s own reasons or purposes from a number of alternatives.

To be Holy

Holy (pure) adj. — having the characteristics of moral or ritual purity; context often emphasizes one over the other.

To be blameless

Blameless: unblemished adj. — free from physical or moral defects.

Ephesians 1:5 ESV

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

“In love he predestined us”

Predestined: to predetermine v. — to determine something ahead of time or before its occurrence.

“For adoption to himself as sons”

adoption n. — a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; with the adopted child being entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child (including the right to inherit).

Ephesians 1:6 ESV

to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Being chosen / predestine is to the praise of his glorious grace

Beloved: to be loved (state) v. — to be or become held in great affection or care.

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

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

Redemption:

- A release or deliverance from a state of slavery

- to rescue by ransom

“Through his blood”

Leviticus 17:11 ESV

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

A “sacrifice” is defined as the offering up of something precious for a cause or a reason. Making atonement is satisfying someone or something for an offense committed. The Leviticus verse can be read more clearly now: God said, “I have given it to you (the creature’s life, which is in its blood) to make atonement for yourselves (covering the offense you have committed against Me).” In other words, those who are covered by the blood sacrifice are set free from the consequences of sin.

Therefore, the last clause of Leviticus 17:11 could be read either “the blood ‘makes atonement’ at the cost of the life” (i.e., the animal’s life) or “makes atonement in the place of the life” (i.e., the sinner’s life, with Jesus Christ being the One giving life through His shed blood).

Acts 20:28 ESV

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:8–9 ESV

which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Lavished: to shower v. — to provide abundantly with.

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

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

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

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,

Ephesians 1:12 ESV

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

Ephesians 1:13 ESV

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,

Ephesians 1:14 ESV

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