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Paul opens Ephesians by reminding believers who they are: “saints” set apart for God, and “faithful” because they are in Christ (vv. 1–2). Then he launches into one long, worshipful sentence that praises God for His rescue plan. The Father chose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world—not because they were worthy, but because He is gracious—so that they would be holy and blameless before Him (vv. 3–6). In love, God predestined believers for adoption, making them His true heirs, and all of it is “to the praise of his glorious grace” (vv. 5–6).
That grace shows up most clearly in Jesus: in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of God’s grace (vv. 7–8). And God is not only saving individuals—He is revealing His “mystery,” His long-planned purpose to unite (or “sum up”) all things in Christ—things in heaven and things on earth—when the fullness of time arrives (vv. 9–10; cf. Colossians 1:20). In Christ we have obtained an inheritance, because God works all things according to the counsel of His will, and He will finish what He planned (vv. 11–12; cf. Romans 8:28–30). When the Ephesians heard the word of truth and believed, they were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit—God’s own mark of ownership and protection—and the Spirit is the down payment that guarantees the full redemption still to come (vv. 13–14; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22).
Paul then thanks God for their faith in Christ and love for the saints, and he prays they would not just know the truths of salvation but feel their weight in the “eyes of their hearts” (vv. 15–18). He asks God to give them spiritual wisdom to grasp their hope, God’s precious inheritance in His people, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward believers (vv. 17–19). That power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him above every rule and authority—far above every rival power in this age and the age to come (vv. 20–21; cf. Psalm 110:1). God has put all things under Christ’s feet and made Him head over all things for the church, which is His body—His living people who represent His reign in the world (vv. 22–23; cf. Psalm 8:6).
🌀 Reflection:
Ephesians 1 trains your heart to start with worship, not worry. If God chose you in Christ, adopted you, redeemed you, and sealed you with His Spirit, what fear or shame are you still carrying like it gets the final word (vv. 4–7, 13–14)?
💬 Mission Challenge:
Pray Paul’s prayer for someone in your church today: ask God to open the “eyes of their heart” to hope, inheritance, and power in Christ (vv. 17–19). Then tell them one specific gospel blessing from this chapter that is true of them “in Christ” (vv. 3, 7, 13).
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.4 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 
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