Ephesians 1 P.R. Devo

God’s Mysterious Plan

Unity of all mankind under Jesus

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:9-10

Faith in Jesus (1-3) leads to Life and Living as Jesus (4-6)

Faith in Jesus (1-3) leads to Life and Living as Jesus (4-6)

In chapter 1 we have;

The opening Poem of verses 3-14

The Thanksgiving and Prayer verses 15-23

Let’s look at the Poem

Ephesians 1:3–14 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, 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 predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 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 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Blessed—praised and worthy of commendation is God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We owe Him a debt of gratitude.

Why? Because, God , who in Jesus Christ originated the solution to our dilemma of sin, it was His decision, will, and purpose before time began when the world was founded.

So, how does that play out for us?

He chose us—for what reason? to be holy (pure, dedicated, consecrated and set apart) and blameless (without defect, unblemished, and faultless, unaccusable).

He predestined us (decided beforehand)—for what reason? For adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ to be apart of His family. This was according to the purpose of His will, He wanted to do it.

To the praise of His glorious grace? He didn’t have to do it, He wanted to and it came at a great cost to Him.

This is done in and by His beloved, Jesus Christ, but in order to adopt us into His family He had to first buy us out of our old one.

He redeemed us (deliverance, ransom, release mostly used in slave markets)—through His blood the forgiveness of our tresspasses, again the great cost, the life of His Son to purchase our freedom so we can be His.

Again this is a lavishing of Grace, unmerited undeserved favor.

Why you and why me? We won’t know this side of eternity, but we are a part of something big, the global body of Christ.

Is this “us” referring to you and me?

Is this referring to “us” individually or you corporately? This letter is written to a church, to a group of believers, not an individual, and yet we see throughout scripture God’s singling out individuals to experience His grace and be given a mission and a message.

He made known to us the mystery of His will-to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and earth. Most would argue that the “us” is the Jews who’ve trusted in Jesus because Paul will shift to the “you” in referring to the Gentiles who’ve trusted in Jesus.

Ephesians 1:11-

Ephesians 1:11–14 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, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 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, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

What’s Paul saying is the purpose of the letter, the mystery of God’s plan? The unity of all things in Christ in heaven and on earth. Unifying to people groups, Jew and Gentile as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to the praise of His glory.