Steven Long Ephesians 1:3-10

Last updated: 10/03/2009

Εὐλογητὸς| ὁ| θεὸς| Blessed| be| the| God|

and| Father| of| our| Lord|
καὶ| πατὴρ| τοῦ| Jesus| Christ, Ac
3a
κυρίου| ἡμῶν| Ἰησοῦ|
Χριστοῦ,

ὁ| εὐλογήσας| ἡμᾶς| who| has| blessed| us| in| L

Christ| with| every|
ἐν| πάσῃ| εὐλογίᾳ| spiritual| blessing| in| the|
πνευματικῇ| ἐν| τοῖς|heavenly| places, Mn
3b
ἐπουρανίοις| ἐν|
Χριστῷ,

Ac L
καθὼς| ἐξελέξατο| even| as| he| chose| us| in|
him| before| the|
ἡμᾶς| ἐν| αὐτῷ| πρὸ| foundation| of| the| world,
4a
καταβολῆς| κόσμου,

εἶναι| ἡμᾶς| ἁγίους| that| we| should| be| holy|

and| blameless| before|
Pur
4b καὶ| ἀμώμους| him.
κατενώπιον| αὐτοῦ

4c- ἐν| ἀγάπῃ,| In| love| he| predestined| Mn

5a us
προορίσας| ἡμᾶς A

εἰς| υἱοθεσίαν| διὰ| for| adoption| as| sons|

5b through| Jesus| Christ, Ac
Ἰησοῦ| Χριστοῦ

εἰς| αὐτόν,| κατὰ| according| to| the|

Id
purpose| of| his| will, Ga
5c τὴν| εὐδοκίαν| τοῦ|
θελήματος| αὐτοῦ,

εἰς| ἔπαινον| δόξης| to| the| praise| of| his|

6a glorious| grace, Gb
τῆς| χάριτος| αὐτοῦ
Mn
ἧς| ἐχαρίτωσεν| with| which| he| has|
blessed| us| in| the| Exp L
6b ἡμᾶς| ἐν| τῷ| Beloved.
ἠγαπημένῳ,

ἐν| ᾧ| ἔχομεν| τὴν| In| him| we| have| Id L

redemption| through| his| Ac
ἀπολύτρωσιν| διὰ| blood,
7a
τοῦ| αἵματος| αὐτοῦ,

τὴν| ἄφεσιν| τῶν| the| forgiveness| of| our| Exp

7b trespasses,
παραπτωμάτων,

κατὰ| τὸ| πλοῦτος| according| to| the| riches| G

7c of| his| grace,
τῆς| χάριτος| αὐτοῦ,
ἧς| ἐπερίσσευσεν| which| he| lavished| upon|
us,| in| all| wisdom| and| Res
εἰς| ἡμᾶς| ἐν| πάσῃ| insight
8
σοφίᾳ| καὶ| φρονήσει
 γνωρίσας| ἡμῖν| τὸ| making| known| to| us| the|
mystery| of| his| will,
9a μυστήριον| τοῦ|
θελήματος| αὐτοῦ,

κατὰ| τὴν| εὐδοκίαν| according| to| his|

purpose,| which| he| set|
αὐτοῦ| ἣν| προέθετο| forth| in| Christ| as| a| plan|
ἐν| αὐτῷ| εἰς| for| the| fullness| of| time,
9b-
10a οἰκονομίαν| τοῦ|
πληρώματος| τῶν|
καιρῶν,

L
ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαιto| unite| all| things| in| Id
him,
10b τὰ| πάντα| ἐν| τῷ|
Χριστῷ,
τὰ| ἐπὶ| τοῖς| things| in| heaven| and|
things| on| earth.
οὐρανοῖς| καὶ| τὰ|
10c
ἐπὶ| τῆς| γῆς·| ἐν| Exp
αὐτῷ,

Notes

. . .To His Glorious Praise (Re-worked)

My original arc only went to verse 9 but upon further reading I discovered that I had cut it out in the
middle of a clause. This new arc included verse 10.

The Locative phrase In Him is the central idea of this passage. It is in Christ to which the following
blessings for the believer have been sanctioned:

 Every spiritual blessing in the heaveanlies (v.3)

 Chosen for salvation (v.4a)
 Holy and blameless (v.4b)
 Predestined for adoption as sons (v.5a)
 Redemption and forgiveness of sins (v.7a,b)
 Recievers of the mystery, the gospel (v.9a)

The Blessings
Every spiritual blessing - Although Paul does not precicsely state what the spiritual blessings are two
things can be rightly deduced from this section: (1) They are spiritual (of the Holy Spirit) and thererfore
cannot be obtained by those outside of Christ, especially considering that the theme "In Christ" is central
to understanding these blessings. (2) The blessings come from the Heavenly places. The word
ἐπουρανίοις contains two Greek words. The first is epi, a preposition meaning on, upon, at, in, by ect.
The second word is the usual word translated as heaven, ouranos. It seems that the 'every' encompasses
the entire realm and Paul will begin to name some of these blessings in the next few verses. Paul's point
is the graciousness of the Giver of these blessings and this is apparrent by the doxology at the outset of
the chapter. They are in the heavenly places because they belong to God and God alone. He has
graciously chosen to give benevolently to the believer and reveal His character as kind and good. On this
point, it is important to note that although God is gracious and kind it would be unfair to demand that He
give these blessings to all. He gives them to whomever He wishes (Joh 5:21).

Chosen for salvation - This is perhaps the crux of all the spiritual blessings. Without life we could have
none of the others. For this reason it is the first of the blessings that Paul mentions. Chosen in Christ is
certainly the most gracious of all gifts considering that all mankind is under condemnation (Ro 5:18; Jas
2:10). Lest any of us consider that we may be worthy of this choosing or that some form of goodness has
caused God to choose us we should note three things:

1.
1.
1. The choosing took place before the foundation of the world. Before God had done any creative
act; before He said, "Let there be light"; while the earth was yet without form and void, God had already
decreed the act of redemption (1Pe 1:20). The election of His people was accomplished and "marked out
in advanced" as the word προορίζω (predestined) suggests
2. It is "He" that chooses "us." This, and other passages, especially Romans 8:29 have been twisted to
mean that God chooses us based upon His knowledge of our foreseen faith in Christ. But this grossly
violates the text in that (1) Paul states specifically that the choosing is done by the Father. (2) The
choosing is Him of us, not of us choosing Him. (3) The choosing is in Christ, i.e, unto life. This must be
the case as there is no life outside of Christ (Joh 10:10). Therefore, to be in Christ is to be in Life. (4) If
foreseen faith is the cause of God's choosing then it is really not God's election of us but our election of
Him (to be Lord over us). This is simply another way to re-word point 2, but the truth remains
nevertheless. The problem arises when man's responsibility to respond to the gospel call is done away
with, and this is by no means Paul's implications as we can certainly read the rest of this book or other of
his writings and conclude that he is in no way implicating this postiion. Paul's point is one of praise and
adoration for God because of the blessings He has conveyed in spite of ourselves. His praise is because
God has chosen us, has predestined us, has forgiven us.
3. "Just as" indicates the purpose of the choosing. The word kathos links the two clauses of verse 4
and gives a causal of the choosing (to be holy and blameless). It is also a continuing thought of verse 3
describing the manner in which the Father blesses His elect, namely the choosing of them in eternity
past. It is no wonder then why Paul chose to focus upon this blessing at the outset of all other blessings.

That we should be holy and blameless. This blessing builds upon election but is no less a blessing than
election is. God has not saved us and raised us from the dead in order to continue to live as we have
always lived, or even as we desire. But that we should be set apart from the world and to God. This
setting apart is further elaborated upon in chapter 2 as Paul describes the reason that the Son of God has
delivered us from our sin. We are to "walk in [good works] that God has prepared beforehand" (Eph 2:10).
We are not to remain in the fruits of darkness but we are to exhibit a life worthy of the calling to which He
has called us.

Also included in this blessing is "blameless." The word 'blameless' simply means to be without fault. Is it
possible that God could actually look upon us and see no fault or guilt with us? NO! We are all guilty and
that is precicisely the miraculous nature of our being chosen "to be holy and blameless before Him." The
One who is blameless is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. It is He and His righteousness that has
caused the Father to look upon us with graciousness and the kindness of a benevolent God for God
made Him to be sin, who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Note
very keenly that passage. We have been made the righteousness of Christ. It is not that we ourselves
have become righteous for how can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? We are
powerless to be righteous until we have first been made righteous through Christ. Then, and only then,
may we rejoice that we are holy and blameless before Him.

Predestined for adoption as sons - If any statement flies in the face of those who oppose or re-interpret
predestination then this statement must be it. What does adoption as sons mean except that of eternal
life? Can one really interpret this passage another way? Only if he is not honest with the text, can he.
Paul, no doubt has in mind to excite his readers by the use of this phrase. In the ancient world, adoption
Paul, no doubt has in mind to excite his readers by the use of this phrase. In the ancient world, adoption
meant that the individual had the full benefits of sonship, including being an heir of the father's estate. In
the same way, Paul is describing this most marvelous blessings to his audience. They understood the
concept of adoption; and not any ordinary adoption but the adoption as a son or a daughter of the God of
the universe; the One to whom all things rightly belong. Because this adoption is through Jesus Christ
(we have become righteous through Him), and because Christ is the inheritor of all things, we too shall be
inheritors with Him (Ro 8:17).

Redemption and forgiveness of sins - Because we are adopted as His sons and daughters, and because
of HIs great love, He has pardoned the very thing which has caused us to be separated from the Father.
But again, notice the Locative In Him. The word 'Him' is not the personal pronoun as one would expect
but rather is the demonstrative pronoun hos which indicates a specific thing. The passage could literally
be read In this One we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. This brings out two factors:

1. The forgiveness is limited to a single individual. It is not found in another hos but this hos (Acts 4:12).
The exlcusivity of the apostle should cause us to stop and think about the implications of what is being
said. The deomonstrative is specific to Christ for it is Christ in which all Heavenly blessing are found. Just
as Scripture has said, In Him all the fullnes of God was pleased to dwell. Now, if God is pleased to reveal
Himself in Christ and cause Him to purchase His people with the blood of His own veins we must not
think that forgiveness could be imparted to us any other way. Even Christ Himself has stated this truth
(Joh 14:6).
2. The forgiveness is through His blood and towards us.The preposition dia (through) gives us the cause
and the agent through which redemption occurs. The entire phrase here is found in the Genetive which is
normally used to indicate possession but in its preostional form indicates the cause or the means by
which something occurs, hence the way or the cause of our redemption. In the OT redemption always
came with a price. A certain expense was required to redeem an individual, an animal, or property. The
price of redemption depended upon the situation and the redeemer would have to meet the obligations of
debt or other conditions before redemption could be sealed (Ex 21:30; Le 25:25; Num 18:16, ect.). And
what was the price of our redemption? It was nothin less than the blood of the Son of God! That is why
redemption only comes dia haimatos autou (through His blood).

Making the gospel known to us - The blessings close with a summary statement of all the blessings, the
revealing of the gospel message. Many try to make this mystery more than it really is. It is important to
keep in mind that that this mystery, when referred to in the epistles, is usually the gospel itself. It is simply
something being revealed in the present which had been hidden in the past. Christ is now revealed and
the mystery uncovered. See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called
children of God; and so we are. This mystery revealed is the unfathomable love of our Father. And it is
not a precocious thing He has done for we are told in the very next clause that all these things, the
blessings that is, are according to the riches of His grace. And if they are His riches they are certainly not
ours; and if it is because of His grace then He is the only who may dictate those who lay claim to it. Not
that the Father is stingy or greedy for He has proclaimed, Let the one who hears say, "Come." and let the
one who is thirsty come; let the one who is thirsty take the water of life without price (Re 22:17). God is
most loving and gracious. Oh, how He loves us! He never will withold this fee gift from all that come to
HIm. He will save to the utmost those who come through Christ Jesus. Can anything so great be wanted
by any individual as to know and be completely known and satisfied with the love of our Great God?

Conclusion
There are two phrases which tie this entire passage together: According to His purpose (vv. 5, 9) and To
the praise of His glorious grace (v.6). These two phrases explain the action and the manner (or reason)
why all of these things have taken place.

First, these things are foremost according to His will. And just what does the apostle mean by this? None
can be certain exactly what God's will is except that which He has already revealed to us. Neither does
Paul make any attempt to explain any more than what he has just explained. God's plan and His ways for
His people are now and will be a mystery until eternity comes. Despite this, there is a clue to this
purpose. One key word that appears in both of these passages is the word eudokia. It is translated as
'good pleasure' in most other places and appears in both verse 5 and verse 9. The fact that it is His will
and His pleasure reveals something to us: It reveals that God was pleased to have sons and daughters.
God is not lonely and we should never make the assumption that He needed us. Rather, it was His
benevolence that caused Him to cause us to be born again (Joh 1:12-13). He is a gracious and giving
God and loves to bestow His benevolence on all that cry out to Him, Abba, Father! It was Jesus Himself
that stated the good pleasure of the Fahther towards His children: If you then, who are evil, know how to
that stated the good pleasure of the Fahther towards His children: If you then, who are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to
those who ask Him? (Mt 7:11). Should those who are chosen and elect of God ever doubt His goodness
for them? More than that, we should share this wonderful news to those who do not yet know of the
Father's kindness and goodness towards us. We should be quick to tell them that, not only is God good
and kind and benevolent, but that it is His pleasure to have us as sons and daughters through faith in His
Son's Name.

Second, these blessings are according to His purpose. This purpose is that which has been set forth in
Christ. Again, this locative appears because the whole purpose and plan of God was to exalt Christ
above every other name. And this plan is to unit (or give) all things to Him. And the word protithimi
shows the purposeful action of God from the beginning to the end. It was a purposeful choosing of the
saints; a purposeful adoption of the chosen; a purposeful forgiveness of sins and redemption; and a
purposeful revealing of our salvation. For nothing God ever does is out of random thought or careless
percociousness but a thoughtful intent and will and desire to do all that He has already planned. That is
why the apostle declares "from the foundation of the world." But the purpose is not only for Christ, though
He is the one to whom all things are united. This purpose includes those of us who have received these
blessings according to the riches of His grace. And these riches truly are grace for we could never have
been able to recieve them unless Christ had first marked us out from eternity past (v.5) and then called us
at the proper time to recieve our adoption (Joh 6:37; Acts 13:48; Re 17:8). Oh, the depth of the riches and
wisdom of God! How unserachable are His judgments and how inscrutible His ways! (Ro 11:33). Need
we try to explain God's goodness to us with any other words? God is great and we are not; He is
benevolent and we are selfish; He is love and we are loved by Him. And no other thing but unrestrained
praise and glory and honor should we give to Him, our marvelous Savior.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

Amazing love now flowing down

From hands and feet that were nailed to the tree

As grace flows down and covers me