Ephesians 1 Study Notes

1:10 The right time: The goal of history is based on God’s divine purpose concerning the crucified redeemer, Jesus the Messiah—for whom, through whom, and in whom are all things. The goal is to establish a new world order of which Jesus Christ is the acknowledged head (v. 22). He is the head of a reunited universe. He now rules and reigns from God’s right hand; one day he will establish his kingdom and bring in the new heavens and the new earth, fulfilling and finalizing God’s redemptive purpose. This is what is involved in bringing together things in heaven and things on earth in him.

1:11 Christians have been predestined according to God’s plan. They come to faith in Christ not by chance, coercion, or unaided choice, but by the enabling of God’s Spirit.

1:12 Those who had already put our hope in Christ consist of Paul and all Jewish believers.

1:13-14 Sealed in him with the promised Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit was promised by the prophets and by Jesus (Jl 2:28-29; Jn 14:15-26; 16:5-16). The Spirit is described as both a seal showing ownership and a pledge pointing to future redemption. Though believers have not yet experienced redemption in full, God will bring about final redemption (life in his immediate presence) for all who have received the Spirit (Eph 1:14). On the sealing of the Holy Spirit, see 4:30; 2Co 1:21-22.

1:15 Since I heard about your faith: Most likely Paul wrote and sent the letters to the Ephesians, the Colossians, and Philemon at the same time. Philemon 5 indicates that Paul recently had received word about the faith of the believers in the region of Asia Minor.

1:16 Never stop giving thanks: Paul particularly was thankful for his readers’ faith and love. Faith finds its focus in Christ and expresses itself in love to others. Such love is the evidence of genuine faith (Gl 5:6).

1:17 Wisdom and revelation: Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to understand what great spiritual resources were theirs in Christ. “Revelation” refers to the insight and the discernment the Spirit brings to the mysteries of divine truth. Paul wanted his readers to have a spirit of wisdom so that they might get to know God more completely. God has given believers wisdom (vv. 8-9), but Paul prayed for the church not only to understand but to experience these blessings.

1:18 The hope of his calling refers to the assurance of eternal life guaranteed by the possession of the Holy Spirit. His glorious inheritance: Believers will inherit all of God’s blessings (vv. 3,11,14; Rm 8:32). The phrase could mean either God’s inheritance or ours, that is, either the inheritance God receives or the inheritance he bestows. The OT consistently taught that God’s people were his inheritance. Likewise, Paul’s words reflect such an understanding, pointing to what God will receive by being glorified in his saints.

1:19 The immeasurable greatness of his power: God’s power alone can bring believers safely to the riches of the final glory that will be made available in heaven. The extraordinary divine power by which Christ was raised from the dead is the same power at work in and through believers.

1:20-23 Christ’s resurrection was the driving force in Paul’s life. In raising Jesus from the dead, God did not merely reverse the natural process of decay, but transcended it. He raised Jesus to a completely new life, giving him a resurrection body. Not only was Jesus raised, but he was also seated at God’s right hand, the place of authority from which Christ now reigns. Christ is above all, indicating that he is infinitely superior. The ascension and exaltation completed the resurrection event, providing hope for believers as Jesus Christ became the firstfruits for his people (1Co 15:20).

Paul claimed the church exists and functions only by reason of its vital relationship to its head, Christ Jesus. As the resurrected and exalted Christ, he is without need and is independent of anything. Yet as head, he is incomplete without the body, which is the church that fills up Christ. So the body and the head are one in the truest sense.