Believe in the Efficacy of the Blood!
Faith in the Blood of Jesus!
Redeemed by the Blood
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
you were sealed In the ancient world, a seal indicated ownership and protection (compare Dan 6:17 and note; 2 Cor 1:22). The notion of sealing in this context is related to the Day of Judgment: Sealed believers will be kept for their ultimate inheritance—redemption at the end of the age (Eph 1:14)—by the gift of the promised Spirit (Ezek 36:26–27; Joel 2:28–30), which is given to Jews and Gentiles alike.
1:14 down payment The gift of the Holy Spirit not only empowers believers to live holy lives (Eph 3:16), but also serves as a guarantee and reminder that God will one day fully complete His work in believers.
inheritance Refers to the complete experience of the salvation that God promises to His people but which they have yet to receive in full. This experience culminates in their redemption upon Jesus’ return.
1:15–23 After elaborately praising God for His blessings (vv. 3–14), Paul expresses thankfulness for the believers. The prayer in vv. 15–23 is the first of two prayers in the letter (compare 3:14–21) that, together, enclose Paul’s discussions on God’s work of reconciliation (2:1–22) and his own role within God’s plan (3:1–13).
The first prayer has three parts: a thanksgiving to God for the Ephesians’ maturity in the faith (vv. 15–16); an intercessory prayer on behalf of the Ephesians, asking God to give them wisdom and knowledge to comprehend the riches of His blessings (vv. 17–19); and a digression on the “power of God” that guided God’s plan of salvation, raised Jesus from the dead, and seated Him at God’s right hand to rule over all powers (vv. 20–23).
1:15 Because of this Connects Paul’s prayer to the preceding blessing section. Paul’s thanksgiving for God’s plan of salvation in Christ in vv. 3–14 overflows into prayer in vv. 15–23.
your love Although Paul uses similar phrases in his other writings (e.g., Col 1:4; Phlm 5; compare Rom 1:8, where only “faith” is mentioned), these words are missing in some of the earliest Greek manuscripts.
1:16 in my prayers Paul does not delight in his own personal fame or achievements; he delights in the faith and love of other believers. The Ephesians’ faith and love is the reason for Paul’s ceaseless prayer of thanksgiving. Their new way of living is evidence that his work is worthwhile (Phil 2:16; 1 Thess 3:5).
Prayers in Paul’s Letters Table
1:17 a spirit of wisdom and revelation The Greek text here may refer to an attitude or disposition that the Holy Spirit brings to a person’s life: one willing to receive and communicate the things of God. Alternatively, the text may refer to the Holy Spirit and attributes that characterize the Spirit.
Wisdom and Related Terms
1:18 hope The Greek word used here, elpis, refers in this context to the fullness of salvation that believers will experience at Christ’s return (see Eph 1:14 and note). Paul highlights three blessings the believers can expect: hope for the future, God’s claim on them as His inheritance, and the great power of God Himself at work on their behalf.
among the saints Throughout the Bible, God sets apart people for Himself (Exod 5:1; Hos 1:10; Heb 8:10). Here, Paul again adopts language commonly used for Israel and applies it to Gentiles (see note on Eph 1:1, 4).
1:20 raising him from the dead Jesus’ resurrection displayed God’s power over death and His approval of His Son (compare Isa 53:10 and note; Isa 53:12 and note).