This epistle to the Ephesians, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus reveals to us some of the most wonderful and sublime truths in all the scriptures. It reveals the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, His work in salvation, the previously unknown truths of the "church which is His body", the walk in the new life, the unity of the church and it's Lord, and sundry christian instructions.

This epistle should remove all doubts about the christian's eternal future, his place in the heavenlies, but above all new revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ which should draw our hearts to Him in the most powerful way. That is by renouncing the domination of the flesh, and cleaving "to the Lord with purpose of heart" in the power of the Holy Spirit. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God", nor can flesh and blood walk the spiritual life.

This very special epistle opens the mind of God to us, therefore it is of utmost importance that, by the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have great reverence in our approach to it. In it we reach the pinnacle of God's dealings with the church. As Solomon was granted the position of building the temple of God in Jerusalem, so Paul was granted the great privilege of revealing the mind of God concerning the church to us.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ apostolos; one sent forth

by the will of God, to the thelma; that which is willed or determined

saints which are at Ephesus, and hagios; separated ones, 2Thes.1:10

to the faithful in Christ Jesus: pistos; believing, trusting

The apostle Paul initially was an enemy of all who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, but he met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He was saved and given a special commission to go to the Gentiles. This he obeyed, and the Holy Spirit moved him to write many of the epistles in the New Testament of which Ephesians is one.

It is of importance to note that he was not ordained an apostle by men, but he was an apostle at the direct will and determination of God Himself. In this capacity he now writes to the saints first of all in Ephesus, and to all the faithful in Christ Jesus. In this verse two words are of particular importance the first is saints and the second is faithful.

This word emphatically does not mean a special person who is supposedly more "holy" than others. Let us note Phil.4:21, "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus." We might note that in the introduction of this epistle it is addressed to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,". Again "when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired by all them that believe...in that day." 2Thes.1:10. "Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints," Jude 14. In Phil.4:21 the word is in the singular and "every" is used with it, and in the context in denotes believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2Thes.1:10, His saints are described as those who believe. "In the plural it is used of believers, it designates all such and is not applied merely to persons of exceptional holiness, or to those who, having died, were characterised by exceptional acts of holiness." W.E.Vine N.T dictionary. In fact those mentioned in the New Testament who were exceptional are never described as being saints particularly. It is another name for a believer.

This word is a verbal adjective and means a firm conviction based upon hearing the Word of God. It is always used of faith in God, or spiritual truths. The emphasis in this verse is the fact that the faithful ones are "in Christ" meaning that they were born again.

Having noted the two words above we come to the conclusion that the apostle is writing to all who are born again, but are faithful to the Word of God. This message is really for all christians for all times, and opens up for us the mind of God concerning His glorified Son, and "the church which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." Eph.1:21-22.

Grace be to you, and charis; pleasure, delight, favourable regard

peace from God our Father, eirene; harmonious relationships

The apostle's greetings to believers is that they would be recipients of God's pleasure, and that their relationship with Him would be a harmonious one. This is without doubt was the desire of the apostle, but to be in that position requires the believer to be walking in the Spirit, and not after the dictates of the flesh.

The apostle does not mean that, if he desired it for us, that it would be granted. This is definitely not the case. Paul wishes us to be in a position of obedience. It would give harmonious relations with the Father and the Son, and with it the pleasure and delight of unhindered "fellowship with the Father and with His Son", 1Jno.1:3. Not only fellowship with the Father and Son, but also "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another...." 1Jno.1:7. This is indeed a thing to be coveted.

We might also note that Paul's greeting, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, clearly shows that this blessing comes from the Father and the Son thus being a testimony to the Deity of Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of eulogio; cause to prosper, praise

blessed us with ALL spiritual en; with pas; all, every (writer’s emphasis)

Here, no doubt, is one of the most profound truths in all the scriptures concerning the saved in Christ. The Heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be praised. We may ask why? Simply for what He has done for the believer. What He has done is more than our finite minds can comprehend.

First He has blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings. Does this mean eternal life alone. We most emphatically have be given eternal life, but even more than that. Again we may ask; what, even more than that? Yes even more than that for we have been blessed with the power and characteristic of every spiritual blessing. Does that mean that as I live here below all my needs will be supplied? Surely they will be supplied according to Phil.4:19, "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." However that which is spoken of in this verse is far above all that. The believer is blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. It is this which is far above all our imaginings. These are eternal blessings in the eternal sphere where deity dwells, and these blessings are "in Him". That is to say all our future blessings are in association with Him. We have been brought into a special relationship with the Lord which is now about to be reveal to us.

According as He hath kathos; according as, even as

chosen us in Him before the eklego; pick out, select

Now these spiritual blessings in the heavenly places were decided by God according to foreknowledge and election. That is to say that God, being infinite in knowledge and all His other attributes, knew before time began just who would choose Christ as their Saviour. On that basis they are the elect or chosen. God's election precedes predestination. The person is chosen (proorizo; determined beforehand) and God determines that chosen person's future eternal place and condition. God foreknew, and having foreknown He predetermines the eternal future of that believer (predestination).

Now we see just what God predetermines. Please note with great care; God predetermines the state of the foreknown elect one which is to be wholly set apart, and in a condition where no blame can be leveled against him whatsoever. That placement is done because He loves the believer. Amazing as that may seem more will be said on just that matter in the next part of this chapter.

Having predestinated us unto the proorizo; determined beforehand

adoption of children by Jesus huiothesia; making someone a son who is not one not naturally

Now not only has the believer been placed in a perfect condition before God, but also his sins are forgiven, he has been raised with Him into the Heavenly places in a state which is expressed by these words, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is." 1Jno.3:1-2.

It is vital to notice that all this has occurred because it was the will of God which was made before the foundation of the world. It logically follows that the individual believer had no say in the matter whatsoever other than to accept Christ as his own personal Saviour. Every other event or transaction takes place wholly and solely because it is the will of God, and for His pleasure. You and I were known by God before the beginning of time. He knew that each believer would, of their own volition, accept Christ and become a purchased possession. He would then be adopted by God as His child, be baptised into the body of Christ, conformed to His likeness, and eternally be associated with Christ in the heavenlies.

grace, wherein He hath made us en hos; in which

accepted in the beloved. charitoo; cause to find favour

This is no doubt one of the most remarkable verses in the bible. Whatever God has done to or for us is something which demonstrates the infinite glory of His grace. Any who could possibly believe that we can be saved and then lost demonstrates a total lack of understanding as to what the purpose of God is with respect to His dealings with believers. All that He does is to demonstrate His infinite glorious grace.

We have noted that the believer has nothing to do with his eternal position or state, absolutely nothing, as it is the work of God Himself. It is all His plan and He has accomplished it.

Now it is this glorious grace which has placed us in the Beloved, and it is in this position that we find favour. The word for "made accepted" in the Greek has the force of "find grace and favour". The Father places us in the beloved, and it is in this position that we find His grace and favour, and we repeat it glorifies Him.

In whom we have redemption through apolutrosis; deliverance

It is by Christ we have redemption, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot:" 1Pet.1:18. We were the willing slaves of Satan without any power to escape. Not only so, but also headed for the same judgement; eternity in a lake of fire, Rev.20:10 now we are set free.

How rich is His grace? infinite! God sent His Son who, without sin, became sin for us. Each believer can say, "He died in my place, He loved me and gave Himself for me." The more we consider our salvation the more we see absolutely nothing but grace. God gave His beloved Son, His Son gave His life for us. Again not a thing have we done, but above all we are not worthy as there is nothing in us that is acceptable to God. All we ever did was to exercise non-meritorious faith. Salvation is not of works lest any man should boast. Eph.2:8-9.

Wherein He hath abounded toward perisseuo; to provide richly

us in all wisdom sophia; insight to see (theoretical)

and prudence phronesis; understanding (practical)

Here our God and Father's wisdom and prudence has richly provided for us infinite grace. In fact it is infinite wisdom which God has put into action for us. He has saved us and maintained his holiness, grace, and mercy which from the human point of view would be impossible. We will come to see that this infinite wisdom can and does have only one result, that God is glorified in all that He does. It is this infinite wisdom which accrues to our good in eternal salvation.

Having made known unto us the gnorizo; make known,

mystery of His will, according musterion; a thing known to a few

The plan that infinite wisdom devised before time began had not been revealed to man up to this time. The old testament saints had no real idea as to the future plans of God. The church was unknown to them. It was God's plan which He thought to be good, and which He Himself devised. What He had devised is listed in verses 10 to 12. Its climax is something which man could not know, which the unsaved could not understand, and is far above anything that could be imagined. This is revealed when He shows every believer's position before Him.

That in the dispensation of okonomia; management, administration

the fullness of times He might pleroma; kairos; end of an appointed time

gather together in one all anakephalaioo; to sum up, head up

This verse means, "that in the management of things at the end of an appointed time He will head up all things in Christ, not only in heaven, but also in earth." One must remember that, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body." Rom.8:22-23.

Here indeed is the "bosom secret of the Father" to gather all things together in Christ the glorified man in heaven. The only One who ever did His Father's will. Just what does this mean? It means that the whole creation for which the purchase price has been paid awaits redemption, and freedom from the slavery of sin and Satan. When redeemed it will be headed by the glorified Man Christ Jesus. In the meantime the believer has the Holy Spirit dwelling within.

In whom we have obtained an inheritance, kleroo; receive by lot or inheritance

being predestinated according to the purpose of Him proorizo; determined beforehand

In verse 9 we have been let into some of the hidden truths concerning the future acts of God. We noted that all things were planned by Him before time began. Now we have another one of these future acts made known to us. We HAVE received an inheritance in Christ. It is not a matter of might or will receive; the Greek tense of this verb clearly spells out the fact that we have already received this inheritance, and that we come into the good of it at the redemption of the body. This is the predetermined will of God. That is the end of the matter. Then if you are born again, and the Holy Spirit witnesses with your spirit that your are born of God that matter is settled eternally.

That we should be to the praise epainos; commendation, praise

of His glory, who first trusted Christ. proelipso; (pro) before elipso; trust, hope

This is a highlight of revelation for the christian. It is that the believer demonstrates, shows forth the glory of God. Is this because of our service, our devotion, our efforts, most certainly not!! That would simply be showing forth our glory, and nothing could be more evil. What we are showing forth is the glory of God, and that passively just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun,. It is His plan. It is His will. It is His work that glorifies Himself. We will see later in the chapter this aspect more fully revealed.

We note that the believer who, as a result of trusting in Christ, is a visible demonstration of the glory of God. There is nothing the believer has done, is doing, or ever will do that glorifies God. In fact all that he ever did was to trust Christ once, never to be repeated. It is what God has planned, and carried out that is glorious.

In whom ye also trusted, trusted is not in the original

that ye believed, ye were sealed spragizo; emblem of ownership, security, and destination

Here in this verse is another great truth, previously hidden, now revealed. We are a purchased possession. "what know ye not........ we are not our own? For ye were bought with a price." 1Cor.6:19-20: "Ye are bought with a price....", 1Cor.7:23. The purchase price for each one of us was the precious blood of Christ. No greater price could be paid as it is infinite in value. Now then, when we realise that we are in fact someone else's property there must be an owner. There is. We are the Lord Jesus Christ's property, and He has sent the Holy Spirit who is the actual seal to that transaction. Now a seal denotes first of all ownership, secondly security as a permanent possession, and thirdly, in this case, destination. All of these are permanent and eternal states, with the indwelling Holy Spirit being testimony to that fact. We emphasise that we are sealed WITH the Holy Spirit, and not by Him. The Holy Spirit Himself is the seal.

Which is the earnest of our arrabon; pledge,

inheritance until the redemption kleronomia; an inherited property

of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. peripoiesis; an acquisition

Now this seal is the pledge that we are going to receive the inheritance at the redemption of the body. It might be pointed out that the main reason that the inheritance is absolutely assured is because it glorifies God. All scripture, but particularly this book, commands that self in all its forms must be set aside. Human nature does not enter into the workings of God in any way or form whatsoever. God does things, not for our benefit as such, but that He should be glorified. We, as mentioned numerous time above, receive benefits far beyond our imagination for which we are not in the least worthy, that is from His infinite grace.

God, in order that He may be glorified, has brought the believer into infinite blessing.

1. He will gather together all things in heaven and in earth in Christ

2. The believer, because of his association with Him receives an inheritance

3. That we, only because of what God has done for us, are that which glorifies God only because we are in Christ.

4. We have been sealed WITH the Holy Spirit which is the absolute assurance that we will receive this inheritance

5. The Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer is the pledge or guarantee that we are His possession, and are eternally secure.

It seems that from verse 3 to 14 is a parenthesis in which the apostle praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in it we learn something of God's previously unrevealed truths concerning the Lord. In this verse he begins his prayer for the Ephesian christians in the assembly. There may well be two reasons for this, first he had written these sublime truths, with more to follow, and second that their testimony was such that they were in a spiritual condition to understand what he was writing to them. Their testimony must have been visibly evident, and their faith was centred in the Lord Jesus Christ, and they were obviously walking in the Spirit. Notwithstanding all this Paul felt that they needed special prayer to understand further revelation.

Because of the assembly's testimony the apostle could give thanks to God for them, and that no doubt with joy. He, however, had more to reveal to the believers at Ephesus. Things concerning the glorious Lord Jesus Christ risen and in the heavenly places.

the Father of glory, doxa; honour

may give unto you the spirit of didomi; give

wisdom and sophia; wisdom, insight to see

revelation in the apokalupsis; an uncovering

knowledge of Him. epignosis; observe, perceive, discern, ie. advanced knowledge

This prayer needs to be studied as it is quite revealing in that God is mentioned in two ways. First He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember that the Father and the Son are one, so distinction as to rank is not in any way meant. What it does mean is that there is a glorified man in heaven.

Second He is the Father of glory. In that heavenly place everything glorifies God. The observer, whether it be angel or risen believer, will have a sense of being overwhelmed by the great majesty of God. All is perfection, and above all, all is visible as we shall see later in this chapter. See also John 17:4 & 24.

This being so the apostle Paul is asking that the glorious God would grant the believer both wisdom, that is the ability of having the insight to see, and with it the ability to take in the glorious truths concerning God. This spirit is such that the believer may observe, perceive, and discern thus having a full knowledge of things concerning the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The eyes of your understanding dianoia; a thinking through with the mind

being enlightened; that ye may photizo; metaphor, spiritual enlightenment

know what is the oida; to see, perceive

hope of His elpis; a favourable and confident expectation

calling, and what the riches of klesis; calling, invitation

the glory of his inheritance in kleronomia; to receive for oneself

This verse has been translated as follows; "being enlightened in the eyes of your heart, so that ye should know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." J N Darby. The point about this verse is that it was the prayer of the apostle that God would open the eyes of believers to see at least two things, the hope of His calling, and above all the riches of the glory He receives from the saints as His possession.

The emphases is on the word "His". It is His calling, it is His inheritance. It is so terribly tragic and wrong when believers are taken up with their gift, their future with Christ, and their eternal welfare. Again this is self occupation which never is edifying. Our eyes should be on the Father and the Son, this is from whence all our blessings flow in any case, but it is their glory, their holiness, their wisdom and righteousness which should be the centre of our attention. This is certainly the purpose of this particular chapter.

And what is the exceeding huperballo; surpassing, excelling

greatness of His megathos; greatness

power to us-ward dunamis; power, might

who believe, according to pisteuo; trust

the working of His mighty power, energeia; power of God

First of all we are seeing the exceeding greatness of the power of God as it applies to the believer. We are contemplating the great power God puts forth on behalf of the believer whilst we note that the believer does absolutely nothing. In the spiritual realm the sole and only power comes from God, we have none of our own

which He wrought in Christ when energeo; work, operate

He raised Him from the dead, and egeiro; raise, lift up

set Him at His own right hand dexios; place of power & authority

in the heavenly places.

The infinite power extended to the believer is the same infinite power which God used to raise the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. What that power did was to raise the Lord from the grave in the power of an endless life, and placed him the position of infinite power and authority.

Once again we note the emphasis is on the power and workings of God. It is also on the mighty acts of God as they are directed toward His Son, the only man who ever glorified His Father. The reference to the believer is almost a by the way. The believer does not, and never will take centre stage. The Lord could pray "And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." John 17:5. Look where the Lord is now, at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places, the place He enjoyed from all eternity. We now have a man in heaven.

Far above all principality, and arche; government, rule

power, and exousia; absolute right to act

might, and dunamis; ability power, might

dominion, and every name that kuriotes; lordship

is named, not only in this onomazo; to name, mention

world, but also in that which aion; age

In the previous verse we noted He was "set down" appointed a position at the right hand of God in the heavenly places. Now what is revealed to us is the power and authority of that position. At the right hand of God is not a location, but it is an appointment of special authority.

It is the place of preeminent power, and of absolute authority. That place is far above all others. It is far above every government and rule. It is far above any who might have the absolute power to rule. It is far above everything that has power and ability. It is far above anyone or thing that has power to exercise lordship. In summary it is far above anything that can be mentioned or even exists, and that absolute supreme office is eternal for it is not only for this age, but also that which is to come. The man Christ Jesus has been raised to the absolute pinnacle of supreme power. It is the fulfillment of His prayer whilst on earth in John 17:5.

To use an extremely poor illustration the Lord Jesus Christ is like a son sent on a difficult and dangerous mission by his father the king to save the kingdom, and having accomplished it he returns with the trophies of that mission. He is honoured and feted on his return.

Indeed this is a poverty stricken illustration because the Lord Jesus Christ was God. We read of Him, "God was manifest in the flesh...believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1Tim.3:16. "The mighty God, The everlasting father" Isa.9:6 describes the Lord. Again, "The Word was God" John 1:1. "had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory." 1Cor.2:8.

The incarnation is part of the infinite wisdom of God. In order to speak to men He became a man. In order to pay the penalty for man's sin He became a sinless man. He paid man's penalty in full. As the perfect man He could say "for I do always those things that please Him." Jno.8:29. Because His work perfectly pleased the Father, and because He is the perfect man, He has been raised from the dead and He is a priest "who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." Heb.9:16. "wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb.7:25.

And hath put all things under hupertasso; rank under

His feet, and gave Him didomai; gave

to be head over all things kephale; chief, lord,

to the church, ekklesia; called out ones

He, the Lord Jesus Christ, has absolute supreme authority over all creation, and now throughout all eternity He has the same authority over the church. First the Father has ranked everything under Him. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made Him a little lower than the angels, and hath crowned Him with glory and honour. Thou madest Him to have dominion over all the works of Thy hand; thou hast put all things under His feet." Psa.8:4-6. In Hebrews we read, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Heb.2:9.

In the second part of this verse we see the relationship of the Lord to His church. Let us note this, "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body..." 1Cor.12:13. Not only are we baptised into one body, the Lord Jesus Christ, but also our relationship with Him is infinitely close. "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." Eph.5:30. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Eph.5:25.

Now notwithstanding this infinitely close relationship He, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the head over everything to the church. This is an eternal fact stated in the verse under discussion. Not only is it prophesied in Psalm 8, but also in the last book of the bible. If one just considers for a moment we must acknowledge that He has earned every right to be supreme Lord. He is the creator, governor, and preserver of this universe, and in addition He, as perfect man, has glorified deity in the heavens.

From the human point of view the unsaved still shout with the Jews at His crucifixion, "Away with Him we will not have this man to rule over us." There are still those who would perjure themselves to see Him crucified, and still more who would surround the cross abusing Him. The religious leaders were in the forefront of the attack against Him, and one supposes that time has not changed them. Should one take authority from them there are those who would fight to the death to maintain it. These people prefer Satan and sin, but whose final end is a lake of fire.

That indeed is bad enough, but it can be expected. What is many times worse is His own redeemed people rebelling against His authority as set out in His written Word. He is the Lord, He has redeemed us by shedding His own precious blood, and suffered for sin the just for us the unjust. All the waves and billows rolled over Him, and the pains of hell took hold of Him. We are His by creation, a new creature. We are His by blood, and certainly we are not our own we have been bought with a price.

How terribly ungrateful is it then when we either ignore wilfully His commands in His word, or we simply go our own way and do as we please. One should ask oneself, what right have I do anything else but His wishes. I have been redeemed, I owe an infinite debt of gratitude. I have a moral obligation to please the one who pleased not Himself. Self gratification deserves and demands the severest condemnation. How hurtful it is to the one who loved me and gave Himself for me.

What makes it even worse is that by disobedience we dishonour the Lord and mar His testimony. We indeed should be royal priests showing forth the glories of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our prayer should be, "Lord help me to be obedient to Thy Word so that I can at least give something in return, and I thank thee for what I have received at thy gracious hand."

which is His body, the soma; body both physical & metaphorical

fullness of Him that pleroma; fullness completeness

filleth all in all. pleroo; complete. fill, fulfil

This is indeed a remarkable statement for it assumes that the Lord Jesus Christ is lacking something otherwise how could the church complete the Lord in heaven.

Of course the Lord was, is, and always will be complete, but the man in heaven had planned for Him a complement. This complement completes the demonstration of what He is. We have already seen that He is above all for that is His rightful place. To complete the picture, of what it really is, we have the church. However before we see more of this meaning we will look at the beginning in the book of Genesis. As mentioned before He is above all in glory, but now what He really is will be eternally demonstrated in a way which will be seen by every created being. In that sense His glory is complete in union with the church.

In Genesis we read, "And the Lord God said, it is not good that man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him." Gen.2:18. Then, "and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs ,and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, "this is now bone of my bones...". Gen.2:21-23.

In Ephesians chapter 5 we read, "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;" verse 25. "That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. that He might present it to Himself...and without blemish." verses 26-27. Again, "for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." verse 30.

In Genesis we see in the history of man and woman a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and His church. Even though the picture is at best vague, in describing the relationship between the Lord and His church, it gives us some idea. In Ephesians direct words are used to tell of that relationship in more detail; an infinitely close relationship for all eternity.

It has been eternally in the mind of God over all blessed for ever that the man Christ Jesus, "... shall see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied..." Isa.53:11. We remember that He hung on the cross to redeem a lost people and bring them back to God. In doing so each believer is His. He has glorified the Father in demonstrating the Father's infinite holiness, grace, and mercy, and we, being joined to our Lord the Man in heaven, declare the glory of God visibly and eternally.

Summary Notes

The spiritual message of Ephesians chapter 1 is lost to all those who are self occupied. As one has said, this self occupation is our glorying in the gift and not in the Giver. That is indeed childish in the extreme. Let us note the use of personal pronouns in the first chapter.

I: used twice when Paul said he prayed for them

Me: not used

Mine: Not used

Our: Used 4 times; our Father, our Lord twice, our inheritance

He: 7 times; chose us, made us accepted, abounded toward us, purposed, will gather, wrought, raised.

His: 16 times always refers to the Lord or the Father

Him: 9 times refers to the Lord 7 times and God twice.

The emphasis of this chapter is on the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord Himself, their holiness, love, grace, and mercy. In a sense when we are mentioned it is almost exclusively what we are to God and only once do we rate a direct mention when we read that we have an inheritance. In the second chapter we rate a mention where we are described as disobedient, lustful, and dead in sins. To be occupied with ourselves is to be occupied with evil. Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus and adore Him.

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