FREE PREVIEW: Ephesians 1:1-14: Spiritual Blessings
This is a condensed preview of this week's full Bible study lesson, available exclusively to paid subscribers.
Introduction
Having been introduced to Ephesians last week, we now plunge into its opening — and what an opening it is. In the original Greek, verses 3 through 14 form a single, breathless sentence, one long torrent of praise as Paul, overwhelmed by the riches of God’s grace, seems unable to stop for breath. The passage is a treasure chest of the believer’s spiritual blessings, and it is arranged around the three Persons of the Trinity: blessings planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and guaranteed by the Spirit. Three times the passage pauses to declare its purpose — “to the praise of his glory.”
I. SELECTED by the Father — Chosen Before the Foundation of the World (vv. 3–6)
“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love, having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4–5).
The believer’s blessings begin in eternity past, in the heart of the Father who chose us in Christ before the world was made. He set His love upon us, marked us out for adoption as His own children, and did it all for the praise of the glory of His grace. Our salvation rests on God’s eternal purpose, not our fragile performance.
II. SECURED in the Son — Redeemed by His Blood (vv. 7–12)
“In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
What the Father planned, the Son purchased. In Christ we have redemption — released from our bondage to sin at the price of His blood — and full forgiveness. And this is part of God’s grand plan to sum up all things in Christ, giving us both present forgiveness and a future inheritance secured in Him.
III. SEALED by the Spirit — Guaranteed unto the Inheritance (vv. 13–14)
“In whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession” (Ephesians 1:13–14).
What the Father planned and the Son purchased, the Spirit now guarantees. Those who hear and believe the gospel are sealed with the Holy Spirit, marked as God’s own possession. And the indwelling Spirit is God’s down payment — the guarantee that He will complete the inheritance He has promised.
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain.
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