Blessed be God!: Part 1

Introduction

Read Ephesians 1:1-14

This passage contains Paul’s greeting (vv. 1-2) and a section of praise (vv. 3-14) which also serve as a preview to many of the themes and topics Paul will expound on throughout the letter.

The Greeting (vv. 1-2)

Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians in his customary style and with his customary greeting.

First, Paul establishes his apostleship. This letter is not just a friendly letter, it is written by Paul as an apostle. As an apostle, the words Paul writes are not just his, they are the words of God. Paul is a messenger of King Jesus, and that by the very will of God. The message of Ephesians is a God-given message; a letter not just from Paul to a church he established, but a letter from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to the Church. It was a letter written to the Christians in Ephesus, and yet by the power and wisdom of God is a letter that is applicable to all Christian, in every place, for all time.

Paul describes the Ephesians in two important ways. First of all, they are “saints.” This is not a reference to the especially holy Christians in Ephesus. All of the recipients of Paul’s letter are addressed as saints. In the New Testament, all Christians are considered saints. The word translated as “saint” is the same word that is often translated as “holy.” Essentially, a saint is a “holy one.” They are a person separated from common use and dedicated to holy service to God. It is not just elders, preachers, or church leaders who are dedicated to holy service. All Christians are set apart for service to God when they obey the Gospel. Thus, if you’ve obeyed the gospel then you are a saint.

You have been set apart by God for holy living. Are you living a holy life?

Secondly the Ephesians are said to be “faithful.” This adjective is obviously related to “faith.” While many prefer to think of faith as mere mental assent, faith involves action. Thus, a person who has faith is a person who will be faithful. Saving faith in Jesus means we will be faithful to Jesus. Paul expects his readers are living the holy lives of saints and living faithfully to King Jesus.

Paul also addresses the contrast of the physical and spiritual realms. Currently and physically, his readers were saints “in Ephesus.” More importantly, however, they were faithful “in Christ Jesus.” While we are alive and until Jesus comes again, we have a physical existence in this physical world. We are citizens of earthly kingdoms, but that is not all we are. More importantly, we are citizens of Christ’s heavenly kingdom. We may be Americans, and Tennesseans, and there may even be a number of other identifying factors concerning us. Most importantly, however, is whether or not we are “in Christ Jesus.” As we will see in verses 3-14 and other parts of Ephesians, the importance of being in Christ is one of the central themes of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Verse 2 contains Paul’s typical greeting. Some form of wishing “grace and peace” is found in every one of Paul’s letters. “Grace and peace” was a common way of introducing a letter, and so in one sense Paul is following a common custom, but he does so while adding a spiritual significance. One might grant another “grace and peace” but Paul wishes grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Men can show one another favor, but there is no grace like that given by God. Men can (and should) strive for peace, but there is no peace so important as peace with God, which is offered only in and through Jesus Christ.

Praise God! (vv. 3-14)

In most of Paul’s letters to congregations, he includes a section of thanksgiving and prayer immediately after his opening greeting. These thanksgivings are often centered around the people he is writing to and the work God is accomplishing through them. There are three notable exceptions:

In Galatians, Paul transitions immediately from his greeting directly to a message of stern rebuke because they had begun to accept a new, false gospel.

In 2 Corinthians and Ephesians, Paul follows his greeting with an ascription of praise to God. In Second Corinthians this naturally transitions into a message of comfort and forgiveness. In Ephesians, Paul’s lengthy section of praise will actually serve as an introduction and outline of sorts to his letter. He will then follow-up this section of praise with his customary section of thanksgiving and prayer for the Ephesians.

Blessed be God… (v. 3)

This section begins with the words, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...” The word “blessed” is the Greek word eulegetos. This is the adjective form of the word eulogia, from which we get our word “eulogy.” We think of a eulogy specifically as something said in honor of one who has passed away. The Greek word, however, simply means to speak well of or praise. It is not just speaking well of one who is deceased. The particular adjective Paul uses in Ephesians 1:3 refers to one who is worthy to be praised. It is used 8 times in the New Testament, and always in reference to God.

Thus, this introductory section of Ephesians is a lengthy ascription of praise towards God. Paul exclaims that God is to be praised, and provides the briefest of outline as to why in verse three. He will then spend verses 4-14 explaining further why God is worthy to be praised. Many of these themes will also be fleshed out throughout the letter.

Paul explains that God is to be blessed, because God has blessed us! What an amazing thing that part of God’s glorious nature is that He has revealed His glory to us, and offered us the opportunity to share in and enjoy His glory for eternity. God is blessed (adjective: worthy of praise) because He has blessed (verb: acted kindly towards) us.

Giving God praise is a good thing to do, because He is worthy of praise! While we are comfortable offering God praise in songs, when else do we offer praise to God? How else can we even praise God? In our prayers and speech, it is appropriate to utter praise towards God. But how do we do this beyond simply saying, “praise God!”? One key way is to meditate on what God has done for us, and then praise Him for it. God has revealed His glory through His gracious plan for us. The revealing of God’s glory has actually offered us grace and mercy. Thus, when we think about what God has done for us, we have reason to thank God and also praise God. Because of this, giving true praise to God is also very beneficial for us, because it reminds of the gracious gifts God has given us. Remembering and meditating on these truths should give us great encouragement and hope. That is exactly what Ephesians 1:3-14 does.

Paul explains in very brief terms how God has blessed us with three prepositional phrases:

He has blessed us in Christ

This is the central theme of this passage and also the letter. Paul will use the phrase “in him” or something similar 10 more times in verses 4-14. Obviously, the fact that God blesses us “in Christ” is of primary importance in this passage, and a point Paul wants to make emphatically clear.

with every spiritual blessing

Paul also highlights the type of blessing we receive from God in Christ. Primarily we are spiritually blessed. God certainly blesses us and provides for us physically. It is even appropriate to pray for, request, and thank God for physical blessings such as food. The primary blessings we receive, however, are spiritual. Some people follow Christ in hopes to gain physical benefits (such as better health, longer life, more money, etc.) But the blessings we receive and should be most thankful for are spiritual blessings. But what are spiritual blessings? Physical things are easy to see, count, and enjoy. Spiritual blessings, on the other hand, are not tangible. Thus, we may not be aware of such blessings, and may forget to be thankful for such blessings. Paul will elaborate on how we have been spiritually blessed in verses 4-14 and throughout the rest of the letter.

in the heavenly places

In some ways this phrase reinforces the fact that our primary blessings are spiritual. It also answers the question, why are our primary blessings spiritual? While we are physical beings in a physical existence, we are also spiritual beings living a spiritual existence. Spiritual blessings help us and equip us for our spiritual existence. The spiritual realm is something Paul will address more throughout the letter. While we tend to focus on the physical, it is the spiritual that is eternal. We should be thankful that God has so richly blessed us spiritually so that we might have spiritual life.

We should not make the mistake, however, of thinking that spiritual existence and physical existence are completely separate and independent. On the contrary, they are very interconnected. Our spiritual strength and welfare will influence and be displayed in our physical life. Holiness is not just a matter of having spiritual thoughts. Holiness is when our physical existence is ruled by a properly ordered and godly spiritual life.

Verse 3 is an exclamation of praise and a short explanation of why God is to be praised. Verses 4-14 then expand on the reason why God is to be praised, and further the praise given to God.

Structure of the Passage

There is a structure to this passage, and seeing this structure may help us appreciate, understand, and interpret it.

Verse 3: The summary statement of praise

Verses 4-6: God chose and predestined us

Verses 7-10: Salvation

Verses 11-12: God chose and predestined us

Verses 13-14: Salvation

Obviously there is a structure of repetition. Verses 11-12 restate in similar terms what has been stated in verses 4-6. We should expect then, that verses 13-14 will restate in similar terms what is said in verses 7-10. The primary differences in the sections are various specifics, as well as timing. Verses 4-6 discuss past actions and plans of God. Then verses 4-6 explain present realities for Christians. Verses 11-12 then discuss present benefits because of past actions, and verses 13-14 discuss present reality and future hope. Thus, in one sense these 12 verses are a lengthy sentence of praise, but they are also amazingly succinct. In 12 verses Paul discusses God’s eternal plan from before time began until our eternal reward. Paul begins in eternity past and looks forward to eternity future!

Key Themes of Ephesians 1:3-14

These 12 verses are packed with central themes. Taking an overview look at this passage and its themes will help us piece the passage together verse by verse later on.

God’s Plan

One of the key concepts of this passage is God’s plan. The scheme of redemption never has been and never will be an accident. God has not been caught of guard by man’s sin, and God has not had to react in surprise to try and salvage the situation. God had a plan in place before time began, for mankind’s redemption. We can take great trust in knowing that God is in control and all things are working out and will work out in accordance to His plan and will. God has always desired and planned to offer salvation to mankind. We see this in several verses of this passage:

Verse 4 “He chose us in him before the foundation of the world...”

Even before the world began; even before man sinned and needed redemption, God chose to offer us salvation. God chose to make a way, and he chose what type of people would be saved.

Verse 5: “he predestined us for adoption...”

God predestined, that is, determined or decided beforehand, to adopt us as His children. Even before we rejected God and destroyed our relationship with Him, He predetermined He would adopt us as His children once again.

Verses 4 and 5 (and this whole passage) are key verses used by those that teach pre-destination. That doctrine teaches that God has chosen and predestined specific individuals to be saved. He has predetermined who will be His children and thus be redeemed. But is that what Paul is saying? The question is, did God choose specific individuals, or did God choose a class or type of people? The answer should become clearer as we study this passage in it’s entirety.

Verses 5, 7, 9, & 11: “according to...”

Paul repeatedly states that salvation is available because it is according to God’s will. Four times he uses a word that in this context can be translated as “according to” “because” or “on the basis of.” Again, salvation is not an accident or an afterthought. God has been working and is working so that salvation has been and is available to mankind. Three of these verses show that clearly:

“according to the purpose of His will...” (v. 5)

“according to his purpose...” (v. 9)

“according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will...” (v. 11)

Verses 5, 9: purpose, or “good pleasure.

Verses 5 and 9 speak of things being done according to God’s “purpose.” The Greek word is one that is sometimes translated as “good pleasure.” It means “goodwill” and a “fixed intention of benevolent behavior.” Thus, we see that salvation is not just God’s plan, but it is a plan He delights in. God did not plan for and work for our salvation because He had to. He planned and prepared for salvation because He wants to. He wants to bless us; wants to reveal His glory to us; wants us to have a relationship with Him and be with Him for all eternity. Even though the cost was great, it is God’s delight to offer salvation to us!

Verses 10 & 11: Plan and Purpose

Verse 10 shows that while God’s has worked throughout time, it has all been according to His plan. Verse 11 speaks again of purpose, but the word is different than that used in verses 5 and 9. The word translated as “purpose” in verse 11 refers to a plan and purpose. Again, salvation is not a happy-mistake. It is the thought out plan of God.

Verses 5, 9, & 11: His Will

God’s plan is in accordance to His will. His will is His intent; His purpose; His sovereign pleasure. According to this passage, our adoption is in accordance to His will; He has made known the mystery of His will; and we have received an inheritance in accordance to the counsel or wisdom of His will.

Knowing that God’s sovereign pleasure and purpose is to save us is an amazing thought. That God would go to such lengths to provide a way of redemption should encourage and motivate us.

It’s also a reminder that often, our view of “God’s will” is far too short-sighted. We wonder about God’s will for our spouse, our job, our home, our care, and so on. But God’s will for us is much bigger than that, and it concerns our spiritual welfare. God’s will is not that we have a certain job or certain home—His will is that we be saved from our sins!

In Christ

God’s plan is obviously a key theme of this passage. But equally important is the theme that God’s plan is performed and accomplished “in Christ.” In verses 3-14 this phrase (or something similar) is found 11 times!

We are blessed in Christ (v. 3) - that means that spiritual blessings cannot be had if we are not in Christ!

God chose us “in Him” (v. 4) - this shows us what the choosing refers to. God chose those who would be “in Christ.” He did not choose us individually for salvation, thus choosing others for damnation. He chose to save all those who were “in Christ.”

Predestined for adoption…through Jesus (v. 5)

Blessed us “in the Beloved” (v. 6) - again, blessings come only in Christ

Redeemed and forgiven “in Him” (v. 7) - For us to be adopted as God’s children, we must be forgiven of our sins that separate us from God. That forgiveness occurs “in Christ.”

The mystery of God’s will and purpose has been revealed in Christ (v. 9)

God will unite all things “in Him” (v. 10) - there is more at stake than just our sins. The created order is fallen and cursed because of sin. God will reconcile and unite all things in the end, and He will do so through Christ.

We obtain an inheritance “in him” (v. 11)

We hope “in Christ” (v. 12)

We believed “in him” (v. 13)

“In Him” we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (v. 13)

Obviously, Paul has gone to extraordinary measures to emphasize the central nature of Christ in God’s plan. To praise the plan of God is to praise Jesus whom God has worked His plan in and through! It should also make us want desperately to be “in Christ.” While much could be said of this topic, we will reference but one verse at this time:

Galatians 3:27 ESV

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Christian Blessings

God’s plan to save us in and through Christ has provided us with great blessings. That is, after all, what Paul says at the very beginning. “Blessed be God…who blessed us.” Thus, as this passage speaks of God’s plan and how that plan is enacted in Christ, it’s not surprising to see the blessings we receive become a central theme as well. The blessings listed in this passage include:

Confidence because we have been chosen and predestined as a people (vv. 4-5, 11)

We should be holy and blameless (v. 4): Sin makes us unholy and guilty before God, and thus worthy of eternal damnation. In Christ, however, we can stand before God as blameless and holy.

Adopted as sons (v. 5): The purpose of making us holy and blameless is so that we might once again be the children of God. In the first-century Roman world, and adopted child enjoyed all the privileges of a natural born child. While we lost the right to be the sons and daughters of God when we sinned, when we are made holy and blameless in Christ we are adopted as God’s children—restored to the relationship God desired with us from the very beginning!

Redemption and forgiveness (v. 7): the reason we can be blameless and holy and thus adopted as God’s children is we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. We have been purchased by that blood so that we could be delivered from sin’s bondage and death. We can be holy because we have been forgiven of our trespasses that made us unholy when we are in Christ.

Obtained an Inheritance (vv. 11, 14): As adopted children of God, we have an inheritance which is ours. That inheritance is eternal life and a home with our heavenly Father forever!

Sealed with the Spirit (v. 13): As God the Father and Jesus the Son have played key roles in planning and working out our salvation, so has the Holy Spirit. Paul says that the Spirit has sealed us and is our guarantee (or down payment) of our eternal inheritance. We will plan on discussing what this means in our next lesson when we look at these verses in more detail.

This is not an exhaustive list of the blessings we enjoy as Christ, but even if it was it should be more than enough to make us eternally grateful, and it should be enough to encourage us to burst out in praise to God! How marvelously He has blessed us in Christ. How sadly one is missing out if they are not in Christ!

God’s Praise and Glory

While it’s easy to focus on the spiritual blessings of this passage and think that is the main point, we must remember that God is the center of this praise passage, not us. Yes, we are blessed recipients of God’s mercy and grace, but it is God who is front and center, and all praise and honor belong to Him. Remember the whole section starts with Paul saying, “blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...” As Paul explains the reason for praise by revealing God’s plan in Christ and thus the blessings we received, he also reminds us of the purpose: God’s praise, glory, and honor. In fact, each of the four sections ends in some way with God’s glory.

Our holiness, blamelessness, and adoption in and through Christ is “to the praise of his glorious grace.” (v. 6) God’s grace in saving us just highlights His glorious nature

The redemption and forgiveness we enjoy serves to unite all things to God. (v. 10) He is the creator; Satan and man disrupted that creation through sin. God had a plan already in place though to overcome the chaos and darkness of sin, and unite all things to Himself once more. The creation proclaims the glory of God: The reconciled and united new creation will show forth God’s glory in all it’s splendor.

Our adoption and thus inheritance is a great blessing, but once again it is “to the praise of His glory” (v. 12)

Our future hope and inheritance will be a wonderful blessing, and yet that too is “to the praise of His glory” (v. 14)

Salvation is a wonderful gift, but perhaps sometimes we focus more on the blessing and benefit of our personal salvation more than we do on the glory and praise due to God. Yes our salvation has been and is God’s goal, but that is because of His glorious nature and His love for us. When we learn His will, obey it, and are forgiven of our sins, then we should dedicate our life to not just receiving an eternal reward, but we should dedicate our life to praising and glorifying God. How important is praising God to you? How important is God’s glory in your daily life?

Conclusion

This passage is a beautiful example of praise. What a wonderful way for Paul to start this letter! What a wonderful way it would be for us to start every day! This passage reminds us of the awesome power, holiness, grace, and love of God. It reminds us of the glorious benefits we experience and hope for as Christians who have been redeemed and forgiven. And how this passage should motivate us to live faithfully to God every day, for it is not just our words, but our lives that truly glorify God. Don’t live like a carnal, worldly person. Live like a redeemed saint—a sinner forgiven by Christ’s blood and adopted as a son or daughter of God! Live like the heavenly citizen you are, and give all praise and glory to God!

If you are not a Christian, just see what you’re missing out on. You are not God’s child. You are not blameless. You have not been forgiven and you have not been redeemed from sin, its bondage, or it’s curse. But you can be. If hearing the gospel you’ll believe and obey it, you can be redeemed and forgiven. All spiritual blessings can be yours in Christ. Won’t you choose to be in Christ today?