Greeting

Paul,(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:(B)

To the faithful saints(C) in Christ Jesus[a] at Ephesus.[b](D)

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

God’s Rich Blessings

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.(E) For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.[c](F) He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace(G) that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.(H)

In him we have redemption(I) through his blood, the forgiveness(J) of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.[d] He made known to us the mystery of his will,(K) according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ(L) 10 as a plan for the right time[e]—to bring everything together in Christ,(M) both things in heaven and things on earth(N) in him.(O)

11 In him we have also received an inheritance,[f] because we were predestined(P) according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope(Q) in Christ might bring praise to his glory.(R)

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit(S) when you heard the word of truth,(T) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment(U) of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[g] would give you the Spirit[h](V) of wisdom and revelation(W) in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope(X) of his calling,(Y) what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power(Z) toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand(AA) in the heavens(AB) 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,[i](AC) not only in this age but also in the one to come.(AD) 22 And he subjected everything under his feet[j](AE) and appointed him[k] as head(AF) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(AG) the fullness(AH) of the one who fills all things(AI) in every way.

Footnotes

  1. 1:1 Or to the saints, the believers in Christ Jesus
  2. 1:1 Other mss omit at Ephesus
  3. 1:4 Or in his sight. In love
  4. 1:8 Or on us. With all wisdom and understanding
  5. 1:10 Or the fulfillment of times
  6. 1:11 Or In him we are also an inheritance,
  7. 1:17 Or the Father of glory
  8. 1:17 Or a spirit
  9. 1:21 Lit every name named
  10. 1:22 Ps 8:6
  11. 1:22 Lit gave him

Salutation

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful[a] in Christ Jesus:

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

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

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,[b](A) just as he chose us in Christ[c] before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.(B) He destined us[d] for adoption as his children[e] through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,(C) to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace(D) that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,(E) 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.(F) 11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance,[f] having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,(G) 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;(H) 14 this[g] is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.(I)

Paul’s Prayer

15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[h] toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers,(J) 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him,(K) 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God[i] put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,[j](L) 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.(M) 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,(N) 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.(O)

Footnotes

  1. 1.1 Other ancient authorities lack in Ephesus, reading saints who are also faithful
  2. 1.3 Gk heavenlies
  3. 1.4 Gk in him
  4. 1.5 Or before him; he destined us in love
  5. 1.5 Or sonship
  6. 1.11 Or been made a heritage
  7. 1.14 Other ancient authorities read who
  8. 1.15 Other ancient authorities lack and your love
  9. 1.20 Gk He
  10. 1.20 Gk heavenlies