Tyndale Open Study NotesEphesians 1

Paul follows the typical style of ancient Greek letters. He starts with a brief introduction about himself, then offers greetings. However, Paul expands this basic pattern in a distinctly Christian way.

First, Paul refers to his divine calling as an apostle rather than just stating his name. This shows that his authority comes from God, not from himself.

Second, Paul describes the people he writes to as "God's holy people" and as "faithful followers of Christ." This reminds them of their special identity and relationship with God.

• The frequent focus on the will of God highlights God's control in fulfilling his plan (see 1:5, 9, 11; 5:17; 6:6). 

• God’s holy people: Literally the holy ones, who are devoted to God (see also 1:15, 18; 2:19; 3:8, 18; 4:12; 5:3; 6:18).

• The oldest manuscripts do not include in Ephesus, and there are no personal greetings in this letter. Many scholars think the letter was originally meant to be shared among several churches in the area, not just the church in Ephesus.

Paul often asks for God's grace and peace for his readers. Grace is a blessing from God's kindness that we do not earn. Peace is a feeling of well-being and contentment based on the good news about Jesus and brought by the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Romans 5:1–2).

Paul praises God for all the spiritual blessings given through Jesus Christ to both non-Jewish people (Gentiles) and Jews. This section is a single, complex sentence in Greek. It is one of the longest sentences in Paul’s letters. Long sentences are typical of Paul’s writing (also in 1:15–23; 2:1–7, 14–16; 3:1–12, 14–19; Colossians 1:3–29; 2:1–3, 8–15). These sentences are interwoven (connected and linked together like threads that are knitted or laced together). This reflects the interconnectedness of their ideas. Interwoven sentences show that different ideas are closely connected and depend on each other.

Ephesians has two parts:

1. Chapters 1–3 praise God for his amazing grace.

2. Chapters 4–6 teach believers how to live in grateful response.

Paul describes every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in 1:4–8, 13–14. Paul focuses not on physical blessings, but on what God has done through Christ to save people and bring them closer to him.

God's people are holy and without fault in his eyes because they trust in Christ's sacrifice to atone for their sins (see 1:7; 5:25–27; Colossians 1:22; Titus 3:5–7; Jude 1:24).

God decided in advance to adopt us into his family. By his sovereign choice, God welcomes and blesses those who trust in Christ as his children. They become heirs to all the promises God made to his people (see 1:11, 14; 2:19; Romans 8:15–17, 29–30; Galatians 4:5).

• Believers praise God, who has blessed them greatly with his forgiving grace.

• his dear Son: This literally means the beloved, a title for Jesus as the Messiah; see Matthew 3:17; 17:5; Colossians 1:13.

• In him we have redemption through the blood of his Son: Believers were once prisoners of sin. Now they are free from God's judgment and from the bondage to sin because of Christ's sacrificial death (see 1:14; 4:30; Romans 3:24; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Colossians 1:14; compare Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45; Hebrews 9:11–12, 26; 1 Peter 1:18–19).

Wisdom and understanding come from God revealing his mysterious plan about Christ. In Paul's writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often means a divine truth once hidden but now revealed in the good news (see 3:9). Here, it refers to how God will unite everything under Christ's authority, so he is universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Philippians 2:9–11; Colossians 1:16–20, 26–27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians specifically highlights the inclusion of both Gentiles and Jews in God's redeemed people (see Ephesians 3:3–6; 6:19; compare Romans 16:25–26).

• In Him we were also chosen as God’s own: Paul often describes salvation as an inheritance, a promise made to our spiritual ancestors and now received by us (see Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Colossians 1:12; 3:24).

• God is sovereign (he has supreme power and authority over everything). Because of this, God ensures everything works according to his plan (compare Romans 8:28–30).

We here likely refers to Jews, and you likely refers to non-Jews (Gentiles).

you were sealed: In ancient times, people used seals to mark items as their personal property. Just as a seal shows true ownership, the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life shows God’s ownership (4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22).

The Spirit serves as both God's promise of future blessings and a preview of eternal life and power. A believer's eternal inheritance includes everything God promised (see also 1:18; Romans 8:17; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Colossians 1:12; 3:24; Titus 3:7).

Paul prays that his readers gain the spiritual understanding to fully appreciate God's gifts (1:3–14).

Paul connects faith in Christ with love for God's people. Personal faith in Christ leads to salvation. Salvation is shown mainly through a life of love (see Galatians 5:6; Colossians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2:15; Titus 2:2).

• a spirit of wisdom: The word spirit can mean the Holy Spirit or the human spirit.

• Knowing God means having a personal and experiential relationship with him, not just intellectual knowledge (see John 17:3).

Believers confidently hope for Christ's return and the future blessings they will share. United with Christ, they become co-heirs of all God's promised blessings.

• God's power for those who believe in him is the power of his Spirit working in and through his people, because they are connected to the resurrected Christ (see Romans 6:4–14; Colossians 2:12). Paul wanted to experience the power of Christ's resurrection in his own life (Philippians 3:10).

• In biblical times, the place of honor was always at a person's right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 7:56).

far above: Jesus has power and authority that is greater than all other powers, whether human or spiritual beings. This includes powers in the present age and in the age to come (see 3:10; 6:12; John 12:31; Romans 8:38–39; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Colossians 1:13; 2:10, 15; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 12:7–9).

under His feet: In ancient Near Eastern art, victorious kings often placed their feet on the necks of their defeated enemies. Paul uses this imagery to show how Christ has defeated all his enemies and reigns as king over everything (see Psalm 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25–28).

the fullness of Him who fills all in all: This challenging phrase likely means that the church, as his body, fully expresses Christ in this world. His presence, which fills the entire universe, is reflected in and works through his body (4:10).