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| Parallel Chapters and Verses, Greek and Hebrew Lexicon, Commentaries, Strong's Bible Dictionary, Concordances and Cross References for Ephesians 1 Ephesians: Ephesians 1:1 New American Standard Bible: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: God's Word Translation: From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will. To God's holy and faithful people who are united with Christ in the city of Ephesus. King James Version: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Bible in Basic English: Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the purpose of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and those who have faith in Christ Jesus: Weymouth New Testament: Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God: To God's people who are in Ephesus--believers in Christ Jesus. World English Bible: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Alphabetical: an and apostle are at by Christ Ephesus faithful God in Jesus of Paul saints the To who will GSB: 1:1 Paul, {1} an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the {a} faithful in Christ Jesus: (1) The inscription and salutation, of which we have spoken in the former epistles. (a) This is the definition of the saints, showing what they are. PNT: 1:1 The Foreordination of the Church SUMMARY OF EPHESIANS 1: The Salutation. Our Election and Adoption by Grace. This the Source of Salvation. The Mystery Made Known. The Inheritance. Prayer That Wisdom and Knowledge Be Given to the Saints. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ. It was always the custom anciently to place the name of the writer at the beginning rather than at the end as with us. By the will of God. Emphasis is placed in most of Paul's epistles upon the fact that he was not an apostle by the appointment of man, but by the will of God. To the saints which are at Ephesus. All Christians were called saints in the early church. See the salutations of other Epistles. And to the faithful in Christ Jesus. The same as the saints. There is no article in the Greek before faithful. A literal translation is To the saints dwelling in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus. WES: 1:1 By the will of God - Not by any merit of my own. To the saints who are at Ephesus - And in all the adjacent places. For this epistle is not directed to the Ephesians only, but likewise to all the other churches of Asia. MHC: 1:1,2. All Christians must be saints; if they come not under that character on earth, they will never be saints in glory. Those are not saints, who are not faithful, believing in Christ, and true to the profession they make of relation to their Lord. By grace, understand the free and undeserved love and favour of God, and those graces of the Spirit which come from it; by peace, all other blessings, spiritual and temporal, the fruits of the former. No peace without grace. No peace, nor grace, but from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ; and the best saints need fresh supplies of the graces of the Spirit, and desire to grow. Ephesians 1:2 New American Standard Bible: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God's Word Translation: Good will and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours! King James Version: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Bible in Basic English: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Weymouth New Testament: May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. World English Bible: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Alphabetical: and Christ Father from God Grace Jesus Lord our peace the to you PNT: 1:2 Grace [be] to you, and peace. See PNT Ro 1:7. MHC: Ephesians 1:3 New American Standard Bible: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, God's Word Translation: Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer. King James Version: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Bible in Basic English: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us every blessing of the Spirit in the heavens in Christ: Weymouth New Testament: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has crowned us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ; World English Bible: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; Alphabetical: and be blessed blessing Christ every Father God has heavenly in Jesus Lord of our places Praise realms spiritual the to us who with GSB: 1:3 {2} Blessed [be] the God {3} and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {4} who hath blessed us with {b} all spiritual blessings in {c} heavenly [places] in {5} Christ: (2) The first part of the epistle, in which he handles all the parts of our salvation, setting forth the example of the Ephesians. And he uses various exhortations, and begins after his manner with thanksgiving. (3) The efficient cause of our salvation is God, not considered generally, but as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (4) The next final cause, and in respect of us, is our salvation, all things being bestowed upon us which are necessary to our salvation, which type of blessings is heavenly and proper to the elect. (b) With every type of gracious and bountiful goodness which is heavenly indeed, and from God alone. (c) Which God our Father gave us from his high throne from above: or because the saints have those gifts bestowed on them, which belong properly to the citizens of heaven. (5) The matter of our salvation is Christ, in whom alone we are endued with spiritual blessing and that to salvation. PNT: 1:3 Blessed [be] the God. The word eulogetos rendered blessed is one from which our word eulogize is derived. It means, therefore, primarily, to praise. Praised be the God, etc. gives the idea. Who hath blessed us. The blessed is here from the same root. The word means, as above, to praise, or to speak good things of one; then to speak good things to, or bestow blessings, as a secondary meaning. This is the meaning here. With all spiritual blessings. All came from God, and he has withheld none from those in Christ. In heavenly [places]. In the kingdom of heaven. WES: 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us - God's blessing us is his bestowing all spiritual and heavenly blessings upon us. Our blessing God is the paying him our solemn and grateful acknowledgments, both on account of his own essential blessedness, and of the blessings which he bestows upon us. He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, as man and Mediator: he is his Father, primarily, with respect to his divine nature, as his only begotten Son; and, secondarily, with respect to his human nature, as that is personally united to the divine. With all spiritual blessings in heavenly things - With all manner of spiritual blessings, which are heavenly in their nature, original, and tendency, and shall be completed in heaven: far different from the external privileges of the Jews, and the earthly blessings they expected from the Messiah. MHC: 1:3-8 Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are chosen to holiness as the means. In love they were predestinated, or fore-ordained, to be adopted as children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and to be openly admitted to the privileges of that high relation to himself. The reconciled and adopted believer, the pardoned sinner, gives all the praise of his salvation to his gracious Father. His love appointed this method of redemption, spared not his own Son, and brought believers to hear and embrace this salvation. It was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own Son, and freely to deliver him up. This method of grace gives no encouragement to evil, but shows sin in all its hatefulness, and how it deserves vengeance. The believer's actions, as well as his words, declare the praises of Divine mercy. Ephesians 1:4 New American Standard Bible: just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love God's Word Translation: Before the creation of the world, he chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in his presence. King James Version: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Bible in Basic English: Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love: Weymouth New Testament: even as, in His love, He chose us as His own in Christ before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish in His presence. World English Bible: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; Alphabetical: and as be before blameless chose creation For foundation he him his holy in just love of sight that the to us we world would GSB: 1:4 {6} According as he hath chosen us in {d} him before the foundation of the world, {7} that we {e} should {f} be holy and without blame {g} before him in love: (6) He declares the efficient cause, or by what means God the Father saves us in his Son: because, he says, he chose us from everlasting in his Son. (d) To be adopted in him. (7) He expounds the next final cause which is twofold, that is, sanctification and justification, of which he will speak later. And by this also two things are to be noted, that is, that holiness of life cannot be separated from the grace of election: and again, whatever pureness is in us, is the gift of God who has freely of his mercy chosen us. (e) God then, did not choose us because we were, or otherwise would have been holy, but to the end we should be holy. (f) Being clothed with Christ's righteousness. (g) Truly and sincerely. PNT: 1:4 According as. Even as, in the Revised Version. Chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. This does not affirm that God chose some individuals and rejected others, but that before the world was, before there was Jew or Gentile, God chose to have a people for himself, the whole church of Christ, a covenant people confined to no one earthly race. That we should be holy. God chose them that they might be holy. Holiness is the proof that a church is a chosen church. WES: 1:4 As he hath chosen us - Both Jews and gentiles, whom he foreknew as believing in Christ, 1Pet 1:2. MHC: Ephesians 1:5 New American Standard Bible: He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, God's Word Translation: Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this King James Version: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Bible in Basic English: As we were designed before by him for the position of sons to himself, through Jesus Christ, in the good pleasure of his purpose, Weymouth New Testament: For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ--such being His gracious will and pleasure-- World English Bible: having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, Alphabetical: accordance according adopted adoption and as be Christ he Himself his in intention Jesus kind of pleasure predestined sons the through to us will with GSB: 1:5 {8} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ {h} to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (8) Another plainer exposition of the efficient cause, and also of eternal election, by which God is said to have chosen us in Christ, that is, because it pleased him to appoint us when we were not yet born, whom he would make to be his children by Jesus Christ. So that there is no reason for our election to be looked for here, except in the free mercy of God. And neither is faith which God foresaw the cause of our predestination, but the effect. (h) God respects nothing, either anything that is present, or anything that is to come, but himself only. PNT: 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children. Foreordained that we, the church of Jesus Christ, should be adopted as his children. The whole line of argument is general instead of particular. God foreordained a church which should be composed of those adopted as his children. According to the pleasure of his will. The act of predestination was due simply to God's sovereign will. His will was the cause. WES: 1:5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of sons - Having foreordained that all who afterwards believed should enjoy the dignity of being sons of God, and joint - heirs with Christ. According to the good pleasure of his will - According to his free, fixed, unalterable purpose to confer this blessing on all those who should believe in Christ, and those only. MHC: Ephesians 1:6 New American Standard Bible: to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. God's Word Translation: so that the kindness he had given us in his dear Son would be praised and given glory. King James Version: To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Bible in Basic English: To the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely gave to us in the Loved One: Weymouth New Testament: to the praise of the splendour of His grace with which He has enriched us in the beloved One. World English Bible: to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved, Alphabetical: Beloved bestowed freely given glorious glory grace has he his in loves of on One praise the to us which GSB: 1:6 {9} To the {i} praise of the glory of his grace, {10} wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (9) The uttermost and chiefest final cause is the glory of God the Father, who saves us freely in his Son. (i) That as his bountiful goodness deserves all praise, so also it should be set forth and proclaimed. (10) Another final cause more near is our justification, in that he freely accounted us as being righteous in his Son. PNT: 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace. To the end that his grace in adopting us as children may redound to his praise and glory. In the beloved. In Christ. See Mt 3:17 Col 1:13. WES: 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace - His glorious, free love without any desert on our part. MHC: Ephesians 1:7 New American Standard Bible: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace God's Word Translation: Through the blood of his Son, we are set free from our sins. God forgives our failures because of his overflowing kindness. King James Version: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Bible in Basic English: In whom we have salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, through the wealth of his grace, Weymouth New Testament: It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace, World English Bible: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Alphabetical: accordance according blood forgiveness God's grace have him his In of our redemption riches sins the through to trespasses we with GSB: 1:7 {11} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (11) An expounding of the material cause, how we are made acceptable to God in Christ, for it is he alone whose sacrifice by the mercy of God is imputed to us, for the forgiveness of sins. PNT: 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood. (1) We are in bondage to sin; (2) Christ redeems us; (3) the price paid is his blood. Compare Mt 20:28 26:28:00 Ac 20:28 Ga 3:13 Heb 9:22 1Pe 1:19. The forgiveness of sins. Those redeemed are forgiven. WES: 1:7 By whom we - Who believe. Have - From the moment we believe. Redemption - From the guilt and power of sin. Through his blood - Through what he hath done and suffered for us. According to the riches of his grace - According to the abundant overflowings of his free mercy and favour. MHC: Ephesians 1:8 New American Standard Bible: which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight God's Word Translation: He poured out his kindness by giving us every kind of wisdom and insight King James Version: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Bible in Basic English: Which he gave us in full measure in all wisdom and care; Weymouth New Testament: the grace which He, the possessor of all wisdom and understanding, lavished upon us, World English Bible: which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Alphabetical: all and he In insight lavished on that understanding us which wisdom with GSB: 1:8 {12} {k} Wherein he hath abounded toward us in {l} all wisdom and prudence; (12) Now he comes at length to the formal cause, that is to say, to vocation or preaching of the Gospel, by which God executes that eternal counsel of our free reconciliation and salvation in Christ. And putting in place of the Gospel all wisdom and understanding, he shows how excellent it is. (k) By which gracious goodness and bountifulness. (l) In perfect and sound wisdom. PNT: 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us. The grace of God. See Eph 1:7. In all wisdom and prudence. These attributes, ascribed to God, are fully shown in his grace and mercy. WES: 1:8 In all wisdom - Manifested by God in the whole scheme of our salvation. And prudence - Which be hath wrought in us, that we may know and do all his acceptable and perfect will. MHC: Ephesians 1:9 New American Standard Bible: He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him God's Word Translation: when he revealed the mystery of his plan to us. He had decided to do this through Christ. King James Version: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Bible in Basic English: Having made clear to us the secret of his purpose, in agreement with the design which he had in mind, to put into his hands Weymouth New Testament: when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose World English Bible: making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him Alphabetical: according And Christ good he Him his in intention kind known made mystery of pleasure purposed the to us which will GSB: 1:9 Having made known unto us the {m} mystery of his will, {13} according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (m) For unless the Lord had opened to us that mystery, we could never have so much as dreamed of it ourselves. (13) Not only the election, but also the calling proceeds from grace alone. PNT: 1:9 Having made known unto us. To all who receive the adoption of Christ. The mystery of his will. The word mystery is used in the sense of something beyond human comprehension until revealed. This mystery of his will is revealed and is declared in Eph 1:10. According to his good pleasure. See PNT Eph 1:5. WES: 1:9 Having made known to us - By his word and by his Spirit. The mystery of his will - The gracious scheme of salvation by faith, which depends on his own sovereign will alone. This was but darkly discovered under the law; is now totally hid from unbelievers; and has heights and depths which surpass all the knowledge even of true believers. MHC: 1:9-14 Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit, those graces of faith and love, whereby we are made one with God, and among ourselves. He dispenses all his blessings, according to his good pleasure. His Divine teaching led whom he pleased to see the glory of those truths, which others were left to blaspheme. What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:10 New American Standard Bible: with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him God's Word Translation: He planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth. King James Version: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Bible in Basic English: The ordering of the times when they are complete, so that all things might come to a head in Christ, the things in heaven and the things on the earth; in him, I say, Weymouth New Testament: for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him. World English Bible: to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; Alphabetical: a administration all an and be bring Christ earth effect even fulfillment fullness have head heaven heavens Him in into is of on one put reached suitable summing that the their things times to together under up view when will with GSB: 1:10 {14} That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might {n} gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: (14) The Father exhibited and gave Christ, who is the head of all the elect to the world, at that time which was convenient according as he most wisely disposed all times from everlasting. And Christ is he in whom all the elect from the beginning of the world (otherwise wandering and separated from God) are gathered together. And some of these elect were in heaven, when he came into the earth, that is, those who by faith in him to come, were gathered together. And others being found upon the earth were gathered together by him, and the rest are daily gathered together. (n) The faithful are said to be gathered together in Christ, because they are joined together with him through faith, and become as it were one man. PNT: 1:10 That. He now states the mystery which God had revealed. In the dispensation of the fulness of times. In the last dispensation which came in the fullness of time; when the times were full, or ripe. Fullness of time is often applied to the period of Christ's coming. See Ga 4:4 Heb 1:2 9:10 1Pe 1:20. He might gather together in one all things in Christ. That the scattered families and tribes of men, both Jews and Gentiles, should all be gathered and united under one head, Christ. Nay, not only men, but angels, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, all should be united under Christ as head, so that he should be all and in all (Col 3:11). See Re 5:13. Compare Mt 28:18 and many other passages which are parallel in thought. WES: 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times - In this last administration of God's fullest grace, which took place when the time appointed was fully come. He might gather together into one in Christ - Might recapitulate, re - unite, and place in order again under Christ, their common Head. All things which are in heaven, and on earth - All angels and men, whether living or dead, in the Lord. MHC: Ephesians 1:11 New American Standard Bible: also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, God's Word Translation: God also decided ahead of time to choose us through Christ according to his plan, which makes everything work the way he intends. King James Version: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Bible in Basic English: In whom we have a heritage, being marked out from the first in his purpose who does all things in agreement with his designs; Weymouth New Testament: In Him we Jews have been made heirs, having been chosen beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might carries out in everything the design of His own will, World English Bible: in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; Alphabetical: according after all also an been chosen conformity counsel everything have having him his In inheritance obtained of out plan predestined purpose the things to we were who will with works GSB: 1:11 {15} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh {o} all things after the counsel of his own will: (15) He applies respectively the benefit of calling to the believing Jews, going back to the very source, so that they also may not attribute their salvation either to themselves, nor to their stock, nor any other thing, but only to the grace and mercy of God, both because they were called, and also because they were first called. (o) All things are attributed to the grace of God without exception, and yet for all that we are not statues, for he gives us grace both to want, and to be able to do those things that are good; Php 2:13. PNT: 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance. In whom also we were a heritage (Revised Version). We are in Christ made the heritage of God, or God's part. Being predestinated. According to his will he predestinated us, the church, to the adoption of sons, and to be his heritage. WES: 1:11 Through whom we - Jews. Also have obtained an inheritance - The glorious inheritance of the heavenly Canaan, to which, when believers, we were predestinated according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the counsel of his own will - The unalterable decree, He that believeth shall be delivered; which will is not an arbitrary will, but flowing from the rectitude of his nature, else, what security would there be that it would be his will to keep his word even with the elect? MHC: Ephesians 1:12 New American Standard Bible: to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. God's Word Translation: He planned all of this so that we who had already focused our hope on Christ would praise him and give him glory. King James Version: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Bible in Basic English: So that his glory might have praise through us who first had hope in Christ: Weymouth New Testament: so that we should be devoted to the extolling of His glorious attributes--we who were the first to fix our hopes on Christ. World English Bible: to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: Alphabetical: be Christ end first for glory his hope in might of order praise that the to we were who would GSB: 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who {p} first trusted in Christ. (p) He speaks concerning the Jews. PNT: 1:12 We should be to the praise of his glory. This is the final result of our predestination and adoption. Who first trusted in Christ. We who had before hoped in Christ (Revised Version). Jewish believers like Paul who had the Christian hope before the Gentiles. WES: 1:12 That we - Jews. Who first believed - Before the gentiles. So did some of them in every place. Here is another branch of the true gospel predestination: he that believes is not only elected to salvation, (if he endures to the end,) but is fore - appointed of God to walk in holiness, to the praise of his glory. MHC: Ephesians 1:13 New American Standard Bible: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, God's Word Translation: You heard and believed the message of truth, the Good News that he has saved you. In him you were sealed with the Holy Spirit whom he promised. King James Version: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Bible in Basic English: In whom you, having been given the true word, the good news of your salvation, and through your faith in him, were given the sign of the Holy Spirit of hope, Weymouth New Testament: And in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation--having believed in Him--were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit; World English Bible: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,-in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Alphabetical: a after also And believed Christ gospel Having heard him Holy in included listening marked message of promise promised salvation salvation-having seal sealed Spirit the to truth were when with word you your GSB: 1:13 {16} In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the {q} word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were {r} sealed with that holy {s} Spirit of promise, (16) Now he makes the Ephesians (or rather all the Gentiles) equal to the Jews, because even though they came last, being called by the same Gospel, they embraced faith, and were sealed up with the same Spirit, who is the pledge of election, until the inheritance itself is seen. And this is so that in them also the glory of God might shine forth and be manifested. (q) That word which is truth indeed, because it comes from God. (r) This is a metaphor taken of a seal, which being put on anything, distinguishes between those things which are authentic, and those things which are not. (s) With the Spirit, who does not bring the Law, but the promise of free adoption. PNT: 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted]. The we of Eph 1:12 refers to Jewish believers; the ye, to Gentile believers, like most of the Ephesians, who also trusted, after that they heard the word of truth. They not only hoped, but believed. That is, they became believers, by trusting obedience; then they were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. After they were converted, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon them. It was a promise (Ac 1:4). The seal was attached to a letter or legal document to authenticate it to the world. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, was God's authentication to the world that the converts to Christ were accepted as his children. The presence of the new Spirit was shown by a new life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit (Ga 5:22). WES: 1:13 In whom ye - Gentiles. Likewise believed, after ye had heard the gospel - Which God made the means of your salvation; in whom after ye had believed - Probably some time after their first believing. Ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise - Holy both in his nature and in his operations, and promised to all the children of God. The sealing seems to imply, A full impression of the image of God on their souls. A full assurance of receiving all the promises, whether relating to time or eternity. MHC: Ephesians 1:14 New American Standard Bible: who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. God's Word Translation: This Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we will receive our inheritance. We have this guarantee until we are set free to belong to him. God receives praise and glory for this. King James Version: Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Bible in Basic English: Which is the first-fruit of our heritage, till God gets back that which is his, to the praise of his glory. Weymouth New Testament: that Spirit being a pledge and foretaste of our inheritance, in anticipation of its full redemption--the inheritance which He has purchased to be specially His for the extolling of His glory. World English Bible: who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. Alphabetical: a are as deposit given glory God's guaranteeing his inheritance is of our own pledge possession praise redemption the those to until view who with GSB: 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the {t} redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (t) Full and perfect. PNT: 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance. The earnest money was a small part of the purchase money given in hand to bind the bargain. Paul says that the Holy Spirit given to God's children is such earnest of the inheritance that he will bestow, a small part given now as a proof to his adopted children. Until the redemption. Rather, Unto. This earnest given is looking unto the final and complete redemption from the grave of the purchased possession, the children of God bought with Christ's blood. WES: 1:14 Who, thus sealing us, is an earnest - Both a pledge and a foretaste of our inheritance. Till the redemption of the purchased possession - Till the church, which he has purchased with his own blood, shall be fully delivered from all sin and sorrow, and advanced to everlasting glory. To the praise of his glory - Of his glorious wisdom, power, and mercy. MHC: Ephesians 1:15 New American Standard Bible: For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, God's Word Translation: I, too, have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people. For this reason King James Version: Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Bible in Basic English: For this cause I, having had news of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and which you make clear to all the saints, Weymouth New Testament: For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and of your love for all God's people, World English Bible: For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, Alphabetical: about all among and ever exists faith For having heard I in Jesus Lord love of reason saints since the this too which you your GSB: 1:15 {17} Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (17) He returns to the former account of the good received from God, concluding two things together about those things that went before: the first is that all good things come to us from God the Father in Christ, and by Christ, so that for them he may be praised by us. The second is, that all those things (which he brings to two heads, that is, faith and charity) are increased in us by certain degrees, so that we must desire an increase of his grace, from whom we have the beginning, and from whom we hope for the end. PNT: 1:15 After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus. This verse has been thought to show that Paul was not personally acquainted with those to whom he wrote, and hence that this letter could not be addressed to the Ephesians; but he used similar language of Philemon, one of his own converts. See Phm 1:5. The language is natural if Paul left Ephesus in the spring of A.D. 57, and wrote this letter about the close of A.D. 62 (Conybeare and Howson), more than five years after. During this period he could only know of the faith and love of the Ephesians by what he heard. WES: 1:15 Since I heard of your faith and love - That is, of their perseverance and increase therein. MHC: 1:15-23 God has laid up spiritual blessings for us in his Son the Lord Jesus; but requires us to draw them out and fetch them in by prayer. Even the best Christians need to be prayed for: and while we hear of the welfare of Christian friends, we should pray for them. Even true believers greatly want heavenly wisdom. Are not the best of us unwilling to come under God's yoke, though there is no other way to find rest for the soul? Do we not for a little pleasure often part with our peace? And if we dispute less, and prayed more with and for each other, we should daily see more and more what is the hope of our calling, and the riches of the Divine glory in this inheritance. It is desirable to feel the mighty power of Divine grace, beginning and carrying on the work of faith in our souls. But it is difficult to bring a soul to believe fully in Christ, and to venture its all, and the hope of eternal life, upon his righteousness. Nothing less than Almighty power will work this in us. Here is signified that it is Christ the Saviour, who supplies all the necessities of those who trust in him, and gives them all blessings in the richest abundance. And by being partakers of Christ himself, we come to be filled with the fulness of grace and glory in him. How then do those forget themselves who seek for righteousness out of him! This teaches us to come to Christ. And did we know what we are called to, and what we might find in him, surely we should come and be suitors to him. When feeling our weakness and the power of our enemies, we most perceive the greatness of that mighty power which effects the conversion of the believer, and is engaged to perfect his salvation. Surely this will constrain us by love to live to our Redeemer's glory. Ephesians 1:16 New American Standard Bible: do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; God's Word Translation: I never stop thanking God for you. I always remember you in my prayers. King James Version: Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; Bible in Basic English: Give praise without end for you, keeping you in mind in my prayers; Weymouth New Testament: offer never ceasing thanks on your behalf while I make mention of you in my prayers. World English Bible: don't cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, Alphabetical: cease do for giving have I in making mention my not of prayers remembering stopped thanks while you PNT: 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you. Because he heard so favorable a report. WES: 1:16 I cease not - In all my solemn addresses to God. To give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers - So he did of all the churches, Col 1:9. MHC: Ephesians 1:17 New American Standard Bible: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. God's Word Translation: I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. King James Version: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Bible in Basic English: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; Weymouth New Testament: For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father most glorious--to give you a spirit of wisdom and penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him, World English Bible: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; Alphabetical: a and asking better Christ Father give glorious glory God him I in Jesus keep know knowledge Lord may of our revelation so Spirit that the to wisdom you GSB: 1:17 {18} That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of {u} glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the {x} knowledge of him: (18) The causes of faith are God the Father enlightening our minds with his Holy Spirit, so that we may embrace Christ revealed to us in the Gospel, to the obtaining of everlasting life, and the setting forth of God's glory. (u) Full of majesty. (x) For it is not enough for us to have known God once, but we must know him every day more and more. PNT: 1:17 That. This introduces the things for which he prayed God in their behalf. The Father of glory. The source of all spiritual glory. Give unto you the Spirit of wisdom. A gift of the Spirit. See PNT 1Co 12:8. Divine wisdom works wisdom in believers. And revelation in the knowledge of him. The Spirit that reveals a knowledge of God and spiritual mysteries. This Spirit would enable them to better comprehend the mystery of God, the divine plans for human redemption in a better knowledge of him. WES: 1:17 That the Father of that infinite glory which shines in the face of Christ, from whom also we receive the glorious inheritance, Eph 1:18, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation - The same who is the Spirit of promise is also, in the progress of the faithful, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; making them wise unto salvation, and revealing to them the deep things of God. He is here speaking of that wisdom and revelation which are common to all real Christians. MHC: Ephesians 1:18 New American Standard Bible: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, God's Word Translation: Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that he calls you to have and the glorious wealth that God's people will inherit. King James Version: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Bible in Basic English: And that having the eyes of your heart full of light, you may have knowledge of what is the hope of his purpose, what is the wealth of the glory of his heritage in the saints, Weymouth New Testament: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened so that you may know what is the hope which His call to you inspires, what the wealth of the glory of His inheritance in God's people, World English Bible: having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Alphabetical: also are be called calling enlightened eyes glorious glory has he heart his hope I in inheritance is know may of order pray riches saints so that the to what which will you your GSB: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the {y} hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (y) What blessings they are which he calls you to hope for, whom he calls to Christ. PNT: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened. Heart, in the Revised Version. The moving of the Spirit gives light. See Ge 1:2. This would follow if they were given the Spirit of wisdom, etc. That ye may know. Have a fuller comprehension. The hope of his calling. The hope of eternal life to which God had called them. The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. See Col 1:27. The heavenly inheritance given in the saints, rich beyond our conception. See Ac 20:32 26:18. WES: 1:18 The eyes of your understanding - It is with these alone that we discern the things of God. Being first opened, and then enlightened - - By his Spirit. That ye may know what is the hope of his calling - That ye may experimentally and delightfully know what are the blessings which God has called you to hope for by his word and his Spirit. And what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints - What an immense treasure of blessedness he hath provided as an inheritance for holy souls. MHC: Ephesians 1:19 New American Standard Bible: and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might God's Word Translation: You will also know the unlimited greatness of his power as it works with might and strength for us, the believers. King James Version: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Bible in Basic English: And how unlimited is his power to us who have faith, as is seen in the working of the strength of his power, Weymouth New Testament: and what the transcendent greatness of His power in us believers as seen in the working of His infinite might World English Bible: and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might Alphabetical: accordance and are believe for great greatness his in incomparably is like might mighty of power strength surpassing That the These toward us what who with working GSB: 1:19 {19} And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (19) The excellency of faith is declared by the effects, because the mighty power of God is set forth and shown in them. PNT: 1:19 The exceeding greatness of his power. He prays that they may have greater knowledge of three things: (1) Of eternal life (the hope); (2) of the glorious inheritance, and (3) of God's mighty power towards believers. This mighty power works to raise them from sin, as it worked to raise Christ from the dead. However the power works, it is the same power that raised Jesus. WES: 1:19 And what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe - Both in quickening our dead souls, and preserving them in spiritual life. According to the power which he exerted in Christ, raising him from the dead - By the very same almighty power whereby he raised Christ; for no less would suffice. MHC: Ephesians 1:20 New American Standard Bible: which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, God's Word Translation: He worked with that same power in Christ when he brought him back to life and gave him the highest position in heaven. King James Version: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Bible in Basic English: By which he made Christ come back from the dead, and gave him a place at his right hand in heaven, Weymouth New Testament: when He displayed it in Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms, World English Bible: which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, Alphabetical: about and at brought Christ dead exerted from hand he heavenly him his in places raised realms right seated the when which GSB: 1:20 {20} Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own {z} right hand in the heavenly [places], (20) The apostle wishes us to behold in our most glorious Christ (with the eyes of faith) that most excellent power and glory of God, of which all the faithful are partakers, even though it is as yet very dim in us, by reason of the shame of the cross, and the weakness of the flesh. (z) To be set on God's right hand is to be a partaker of the sovereignty which he has over all creatures. PNT: 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ. God's power wrought in Christ in the tomb so that he came forth living. At his own right hand. The Scriptures represent Christ at God's right hand. See Mr 16:19 Heb 8:1 10:12 12:02 Col 3:1. His seat there indicates his glory, and also that the work of redemption. WES: 1:20 And he hath seated him at his own right hand - That is, he hath exalted him in his human nature, as a recompence for his sufferings, to a quiet, everlasting possession of all possible blessedness, majesty, and glory. MHC: Ephesians 1:21 New American Standard Bible: far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. God's Word Translation: He is far above all rulers, authorities, powers, lords, and all other names that can be named, not only in this present world but also in the world to come. King James Version: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Bible in Basic English: Far over all rule and authority and power and every name which is named, not only in the present order, but in that which is to come: Weymouth New Testament: high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come. World English Bible: far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. Alphabetical: above age all also and authority be but can come dominion every far given in is name named not one only power present rule that the this title to GSB: 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every {a} name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (a) Everything, whatever it may be, or above all things, even if they are of ever so much power or excellency. PNT: 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion. Above all the angelic hierarchy. See Ro 8:38 1Pe 3:22 Eph 3:10. The same terms are applied to evil spirits in Eph 6:12. Christ is above all angels, good or evil. And every name. Every person, office and dignity, whether in this present state, or in that to come. WES: 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion - That is, God hath invested him with uncontrollable authority over all demons in hell, all angels in heaven, and all the princes and potentates on earth. And every name that is named - We know the king is above all, though we cannot name all the officers of his court. So we know that Christ is above all, though we are not able to name all his subjects. Not only in this world, but also in that which is to come - The world to come is so styled, not because it does not yet exist, but because it is not yet visible. Principalities and powers are named now; but those also who are not even named in this world, but shall be revealed in the world to come, are all subject to Christ. MHC: Ephesians 1:22 New American Standard Bible: And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, God's Word Translation: God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. King James Version: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Bible in Basic English: And he has put all things under his feet, and has made him to be head over all things to the church, Weymouth New Testament: God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body, World English Bible: He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, Alphabetical: all And appointed as be church everything feet for gave God He head him his in over placed put subjection the things to under GSB: 1:22 {21} And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the {b} head over all [things] to the church, (21) So that we should not think that the excellent glory of Christ is a thing with which we have nothing to do, he witnesses that Christ was appointed by God the Father as head over all the Church, and therefore the body must be joined to this head, which otherwise would be a maimed thing, without the members. However, this is not because of necessity (seeing that it is rather the Church which is made alive and sustained by the holy power of Christ, so it is far from being true that he needs the fulness of it), but because of the infinite goodwill and pleasure of God, who condescends to join us to his Son. (b) Insomuch that there is nothing that is not subject to him. PNT: 1:22 And hath put all [things] under his feet. All power was given into his hands when he was raised from the dead (Mt 28:18). He is the rightful ruler of all. And gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church. He was, when raised from the dead (Eph 1:20), exalted to be the ruler of all things (Ac 2:33 5:31 Php 2:9) and made the Head of the church (Eph 5:23 Col 1:18); not merely its ruler, but the Head of the Body, which derives its life from the Head. Compare 1Co 10:17 12:27 Note that this exaltation is after the cross and the resurrection, definitely showing that Christ's church was not organized until after our Lord's suffering. WES: 1:22 And he hath given him to be head over all things to the church - An head both of guidance and government, and likewise of life and influence, to the whole and every member of it. All these stand in the nearest union with him, and have as continual and effectual a communication of activity, growth, and strength from him, as the natural body from its head. MHC: Ephesians 1:23 New American Standard Bible: which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. God's Word Translation: The church is Christ's body and completes him as he fills everything in every way. King James Version: Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Bible in Basic English: Which is his body, the full measure of him in whom all things are made complete. Weymouth New Testament: the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself. World English Bible: which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Alphabetical: all body every everything fills fullness him his in is of the way which who GSB: 1:23 Which is his body, the {c} fulness of him that filleth all in all. (c) For the love of Christ is so great towards the Church, that even though he fully satisfies all with all things, yet he considers himself but a maimed and unperfect head, unless he has the Church joined to him as his body. PNT: 1:23 Which is his body. His spiritual body, living by union with the Head, pervaded by the life of Christ. The fulness of him. The church is a manifestation of the fullness of Christ, the body filled by his life, who filleth all in all. Filleth all things with his majesty and power. The object of the last four verses is to describe Christ's glories. These are: (1) His resurrection; (2) His Exaltation to God's Right Hand; (3) His Supreme Dominion; (4) His Headship to the Church, his Body, filled with His Fullness. These glories all follow his stooping unto the death of the cross. He abased himself that he might be exalted. See Heb 12:2. WES: 1:23 The fulness of him that filleth all in all - It is hard to say in what sense this can be spoken of the church; but the sense is easy and natural, if we refer it to Christ, who is the fulness of the Father. MHC: NASB, GWT, KJV, NIV, GWT, NLT, ASV, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Chapter and Verse Old and New Testament Christian Bible Study, Concordance, Chain Links, Cross Reference for pastors, teachers and students |