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Greeting

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

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and (C)are faithful[a] in Christ Jesus:

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

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

(E)Blessed be (F)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing (G)in the heavenly places, (H)even as he (I)chose us in him (J)before the foundation of the world, that we should be (K)holy and blameless before him. In love (L)he predestined us[b] for (M)adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, (N)according to the purpose of his will, (O)to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in (P)the Beloved. (Q)In him we have (R)redemption (S)through his blood, (T)the forgiveness of our trespasses, (U)according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight (V)making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, (W)according to his purpose, which he (X)set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for (Y)the fullness of time, (Z)to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained (AA)an inheritance, (AB)having been predestined (AC)according to the purpose of him who works all things according to (AD)the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be (AE)to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard (AF)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, (AG)were sealed with the (AH)promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is (AI)the guarantee[d] of our (AJ)inheritance until (AK)we acquire (AL)possession of it,[e] (AM)to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, (AN)because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints, 16 I (AO)do not cease to give thanks for you, (AP)remembering you in my prayers, 17 that (AQ)the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, (AR)may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 (AS)having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is (AT)the hope to which he has called you, what are (AU)the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, (AV)according to the working of (AW)his great might 20 that he worked in Christ (AX)when he raised him from the dead and (AY)seated him at his right hand (AZ)in the heavenly places, 21 (BA)far above (BB)all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above (BC)every name that is named, not only in (BD)this age but also in the one to come. 22 And (BE)he put all things under his feet and gave him as (BF)head over all things to the church, 23 (BG)which is his body, (BH)the fullness of him (BI)who fills (BJ)all in all.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some manuscripts saints who are also faithful (omitting in Ephesus)
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Or before him in love, 5having predestined us
  3. Ephesians 1:9 Or he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known…
  4. Ephesians 1:14 Or down payment
  5. Ephesians 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession
  6. Ephesians 1:15 Some manuscripts omit your love

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.

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

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)

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

Greeting

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

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

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

God’s Rich Blessings

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.(E) For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[b](F) In love[c] He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace(G) that He favored us with in the Beloved.(H)

We have redemption in Him(I) through His blood, the forgiveness(J) of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. He made known to us the mystery of His will,(K) according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him(L) 10 for the administration[d] of the days of fulfillment[e]—to bring everything together in the Messiah,(M) both things in heaven and things on earth(N) in Him.(O)

11 We have also received an inheritance[f] in Him, predestined(P) according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope(Q) in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory.(R)

13 When you heard the message of truth,(S) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.(T) 14 He is the down payment(U) of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[g] 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,[h] would give you a spirit[i](V) of wisdom and revelation(W) in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the perception of your mind[j] may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope(X) of His calling,(Y) what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power(Z) to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

God’s Power in Christ

20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah 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,[k](AC) not only in this age but also in the one to come.(AD) 22 And He put everything under His feet(AE)[l] and appointed Him 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. Ephesians 1:1 Other mss omit at Ephesus
  2. Ephesians 1:4 Vv. 3-14 are 1 sentence in Gk.
  3. Ephesians 1:4 Or In His sight in love
  4. Ephesians 1:10 Or dispensation; lit house law (Gk oikonomia)
  5. Ephesians 1:10 Lit the fulfillment of times
  6. Ephesians 1:11 Or we also were chosen as an inheritance, or we were also made an inheritance
  7. Ephesians 1:14 The possession could be either man’s or God’s
  8. Ephesians 1:17 Or the Father of glory
  9. Ephesians 1:17 Or you the Spirit
  10. Ephesians 1:18 Lit the eyes of your heart
  11. Ephesians 1:21 Lit every name named
  12. Ephesians 1:22 Ps 8:6

(A) From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.

To God's people who live in Ephesus and[a] are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!

Christ Brings Spiritual Blessings

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the spiritual blessings that Christ has brought us from heaven! Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind[b] and decided that Christ would choose us to be God's own adopted children. God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God.

7-8 (B) Christ sacrificed his life's blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God's gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding, and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways. 10 Then when the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.

11 God always does what he plans, and this is why he appointed Christ to choose us. 12 He did this so we Jews would bring honor to him and be the first ones to have hope because of him. 13 Christ also brought you the truth, which is the good news about how you can be saved. You put your faith in Christ and were given the promised Holy Spirit to show you belong to God. 14 The Spirit also makes us sure we will be given what God has stored up for his people. Then we will be set free, and God will be honored and praised.

Paul's Prayer

15 I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people. 16 So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and you will understand the hope given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all God's people.

19 I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used 20 (C) when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side[c] in heaven. 21 There Christ rules over all forces, authorities, powers, and rulers. He rules over all beings in this world and will rule in the future world as well. 22 (D)(E) God has put all things under the power of Christ, and for the good of the church he has made him the head of everything. 23 The church is the body of Christ and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything.[d]

Footnotes

  1. 1.1 live in Ephesus and: Some manuscripts do not have these words.
  2. 1.4,5 holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind: Or “holy and innocent people. God was loving and kind.”
  3. 1.20 right side: The place of power and honor.
  4. 1.23 and is filled with Christ who completely fills everything: Or “which completely fills Christ and fully completes his work.”