Ephesians 1 Footnotes

1:3 The phrase “in the heavens” occurs at 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; and 6:12. It appears to be the locale of believers in the first three instances but of malignant spiritual powers in the last two. Paul’s metaphor refers to the realm where Christ reigns with the church that he has raised with him (2:5-6). Yet, living in this age, the church wages war against its spiritual foes (6:12) in this same spiritual realm.

1:4 Debates over whether God has chosen specific individuals for salvation or whether they choose to believe in Christ may miss Paul’s point here. He affirmed the corporate election of the church “in him.” Individuals are elect because they are in Christ.

1:5 Paul affirmed predestination—a divine action that determines future realities. God predestined that those in Christ will be adopted as his children so that God will receive praise (vv. 5h6) and that they will live for the praise God’s glory (v. 12).

1:11 Paul did not claim humans have no self-determining freewill. As Rm 9 indicates, God is able to use even sinful human choices for his purposes. But the point here is that whatever God does for those in Christ, he does according to a carefully orchestrated plan for their benefit.

1:19-20 In Asia Minor many lived in dread of malignant spiritual beings and powers who dominated their lives. Paul prayed his readers would have an experiential knowledge—the realization and confidence that as believers in Christ they possessed divine power. Christians need not cower in fear of evil spiritual powers.

1:22-23 Paul asserted that Christ fills the church, his body, with his presence and power (see 3:19). No human institution has greater potential power to effect good than Christ’s church.