The Blessings of Redemption

Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus [a](C)by the will of God,

To the [b](D)saints who are [c]at (E)Ephesus and (F)are faithful in (G)Christ Jesus: (H)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(I)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in (J)the heavenly places in Christ, just as (K)He chose us in Him before (L)the foundation of the world, that we would be (M)holy and blameless before [d]Him. (N)In love [e]He (O)predestined us to (P)adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, (Q)according to the good pleasure of His will, (R)to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in (S)the Beloved. (T)In [f]Him we have (U)redemption (V)through His blood, the (W)forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to (X)the riches of His grace which He [g]lavished on [h]us. In all wisdom and insight He [i](Y)made known to us the mystery of His will, (Z)according to His good pleasure which He (AA)set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of (AB)the fullness of the times, (AC)to bring all things together in Christ, things [j]in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 [k]In Him we also (AD)have obtained an inheritance, having been (AE)predestined (AF)according to the purpose of Him who works all things (AG)in accordance with the plan of His will, 12 to the end that [l]we who were the first to hope in the [m]Christ would be (AH)to the praise of His glory. 13 In [n]Him, [o]you also, after listening to (AI)the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also [p]believed, you were (AJ)sealed in [q]Him with (AK)the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a (AL)first installment of (AM)our inheritance, in regard to the (AN)redemption of (AO)God’s own possession, (AP)to the praise of His glory.

15 For this reason I too, (AQ)having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and [r]your love for (AR)all the [s]saints, 16 (AS)do not cease giving thanks for you, (AT)while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the (AU)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AV)the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of (AW)wisdom and of (AX)revelation in the [t]knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that (AY)the eyes of your heart [u]may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the (AZ)hope of His (BA)calling, what are (BB)the riches of the glory of (BC)His inheritance in (BD)the [v]saints, 19 and what is the [w]boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. (BE)These are in accordance with the working of the (BF)strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He (BG)raised Him from the dead and (BH)seated Him at His right hand in (BI)the heavenly places, 21 far above (BJ)all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every (BK)name that is named, not only in (BL)this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He (BM)put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him (BN)head over all things to the church, 23 which is His (BO)body, the (BP)fullness of Him who (BQ)fills (BR)all in all.

Made Alive in Christ

And [x]you [y]were (BS)dead [z]in your offenses and sins, in which you (BT)previously walked according to the [aa]course of (BU)this world, according to (BV)the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in (BW)the [ab]sons of disobedience. Among them [ac]we too all (BX)previously lived in (BY)the lusts of our flesh, [ad]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the [ae]mind, and were (BZ)by nature (CA)children of wrath, (CB)just as the rest. But God, being (CC)rich in mercy, because of (CD)His great love with which He loved us, even when we were (CE)dead [af]in our wrongdoings, made us alive together [ag]with Christ ((CF)by grace you have been saved), and (CG)raised us up with Him, and (CH)seated us with Him in (CI)the heavenly places in (CJ)Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the [ah]boundless (CK)riches of His grace in (CL)kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For (CM)by grace you have been saved (CN)through faith; and [ai]this is not of yourselves, it is (CO)the gift of God; (CP)not a result of works, so that (CQ)no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, (CR)created in (CS)Christ Jesus for (CT)good works, which God (CU)prepared beforehand so that we would (CV)walk in them.

11 Therefore remember that (CW)previously (CX)you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “(CY)Uncircumcision” by the so-called “(CZ)Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, [aj](DA)excluded from [ak]the people of Israel, and strangers to (DB)the covenants of the promise, having (DC)no hope and (DD)without God in the world. 13 But now in (DE)Christ Jesus you who (DF)previously were (DG)far away [al]have (DH)been brought near [am](DI)by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is (DJ)our peace, (DK)who made both groups into one and broke down the [an]barrier of the dividing wall, 15 [ao]by (DL)abolishing [ap]in His flesh the hostility, which is (DM)the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might [aq](DN)make the two (DO)one new person, in this way establishing (DP)peace; 16 and that He might (DQ)reconcile them both in (DR)one body to God through the cross, [ar]by it having (DS)put to death the hostility. 17 And (DT)He came and preached (DU)peace to you who were (DV)far away, and peace to those who were (DW)near; 18 for through Him we both have (DX)our access in (DY)one Spirit to (DZ)the Father. 19 So then you are no longer (EA)strangers and foreigners, but you are (EB)fellow citizens with the [as]saints, and are of (EC)God’s household, 20 having been (ED)built on (EE)the foundation of (EF)the apostles and prophets, (EG)Christ Jesus Himself being the (EH)cornerstone, 21 (EI)in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into (EJ)a holy [at]temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being (EK)built together into a (EL)dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Lit through
  2. Ephesians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  3. Ephesians 1:1 Three early mss do not contain at Ephesus
  4. Ephesians 1:4 Or Him, in love. He
  5. Ephesians 1:5 Lit having predestined
  6. Ephesians 1:7 Lit whom
  7. Ephesians 1:8 Lit made abundant toward
  8. Ephesians 1:8 Or us in all wisdom and insight. He
  9. Ephesians 1:9 Lit making known
  10. Ephesians 1:10 Lit upon
  11. Ephesians 1:11 Lit In whom also
  12. Ephesians 1:12 I.e., Jewish believers
  13. Ephesians 1:12 I.e., Messiah
  14. Ephesians 1:13 Lit whom
  15. Ephesians 1:13 I.e., Gentile believers
  16. Ephesians 1:13 Or believed in Him, you were sealed
  17. Ephesians 1:13 Lit whom
  18. Ephesians 1:15 Three early mss do not contain your love
  19. Ephesians 1:15 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  20. Ephesians 1:17 Or true knowledge
  21. Ephesians 1:18 Lit having been
  22. Ephesians 1:18 See note 2 v 15
  23. Ephesians 1:19 Lit surpassing
  24. Ephesians 2:1 Lit being
  25. Ephesians 2:1 I.e., Gentile believers
  26. Ephesians 2:1 Or by reason of
  27. Ephesians 2:2 Lit age
  28. Ephesians 2:2 I.e., people opposed to God
  29. Ephesians 2:3 I.e., Jewish believers
  30. Ephesians 2:3 Lit doing
  31. Ephesians 2:3 Lit thoughts
  32. Ephesians 2:5 Or by reason of
  33. Ephesians 2:5 Two early mss in Christ
  34. Ephesians 2:7 Lit surpassing
  35. Ephesians 2:8 I.e., this salvation
  36. Ephesians 2:12 Or alienated
  37. Ephesians 2:12 Or citizenship in Israel
  38. Ephesians 2:13 Lit became; or were made
  39. Ephesians 2:13 Or in
  40. Ephesians 2:14 Lit the dividing wall of the barrier
  41. Ephesians 2:15 Or the hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the Law
  42. Ephesians 2:15 I.e., by His death
  43. Ephesians 2:15 Lit create
  44. Ephesians 2:16 Or in Himself
  45. Ephesians 2:19 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  46. Ephesians 2:21 Or sanctuary

Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B)

To God’s holy people(C) in Ephesus,[a](D) the faithful(E) in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us(I) in him before the creation of the world(J) to be holy and blameless(K) in his sight. In love(L) he[b] predestined(M) us for adoption to sonship[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(O) and will— to the praise of his glorious grace,(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Q) In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he[d] made known to us the mystery(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(V) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.(X)

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(Z) of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.(AA) 13 And you also were included in Christ(AB) when you heard the message of truth,(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,(AE) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(AF) until the redemption(AG) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(AH)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(AI) and your love for all God’s people,(AJ) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(AK) remembering you in my prayers.(AL) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(AM) may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(AP) you, the riches(AQ) of his glorious inheritance(AR) in his holy people,(AS) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(AT) is the same as the mighty strength(AU) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(AV) and seated him at his right hand(AW) in the heavenly realms,(AX) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(AY) and every name(AZ) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(BA) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(BB) and appointed him to be head(BC) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(BD) the fullness of him(BE) who fills everything in every way.(BF)

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,(BG) in which you used to live(BH) when you followed the ways of this world(BI) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,(BJ) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.(BK) All of us also lived among them at one time,(BL) gratifying the cravings of our flesh[g](BM) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us,(BN) God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(BO)—it is by grace you have been saved.(BP) And God raised us up with Christ(BQ) and seated us with him(BR) in the heavenly realms(BS) in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(BT) expressed in his kindness(BU) to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace(BV) you have been saved,(BW) through faith(BX)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works,(BY) so that no one can boast.(BZ) 10 For we are God’s handiwork,(CA) created(CB) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(CC) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly(CD) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(CE) 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(CF) to the covenants of the promise,(CG) without hope(CH) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(CI) were far away have been brought near(CJ) by the blood of Christ.(CK)

14 For he himself is our peace,(CL) who has made the two groups one(CM) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(CN) the law with its commands and regulations.(CO) His purpose was to create in himself one(CP) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(CQ) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(CR) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(CS) 18 For through him we both have access(CT) to the Father(CU) by one Spirit.(CV)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(CW) but fellow citizens(CX) with God’s people and also members of his household,(CY) 20 built(CZ) on the foundation(DA) of the apostles and prophets,(DB) with Christ Jesus himself(DC) as the chief cornerstone.(DD) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(DE) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(DF)

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. He
  3. Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  4. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. And he
  5. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
  6. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
  7. Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.