- Mar 22, 2021
- 435
- 163
- 33
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Private
Sources: Bible Overview, www.hendricksonrose.com
(Just a heads up there are somethings being noted that aren't fully understood with some side notes) - You can take them for what they are worth this is still a verse by verse, study of Ephesians, everyone is growing and learning every day, and so may God give you the increase and may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, love of God and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with you!
It will always be about your faith, love for God, and love for Others. Keep growing!
Purpose:
The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Ephesus to encourage and help them realize and lay hold of the riches of God's grace in Christ (1:3-23). The language of the letter makes it clear that Paul is enraptured by the overflowing goodness of God. His words of praise stream out like a gushing river. Paul explains to his readers the incredible gift believers have been given in Christ. In Ephesus, a city with powerful and influential pagan cult- the worship off Diana of Ephesus - The apostles emphasizes the universal and supreme nature of Christ power and authority.
The Apostle wrote to encourage believers to live a life worthy of God's calling in a spirit of gratitude (2:8-10; 4:1), Paul had been accuse of preaching a gospel that made good deeds irrelevant. However the apostle shows that good deeds are a thankful response to what God has done for the world through Jesus. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which god prepared in advance for us to Do" (2:10)
Background
Author: The author of Ephesians is the apostle Paul (1:1)
Date The letter was written sometimes in Ad 60-62, while he was under house arrest in Rome.
Audience : The audience was the church at Ephesus. But since Ephesus was a cosmopolitan city and probably included believers from Greek, Roman, Jewish backgrounds, the letter was likely circulated to other churches in the area and so would have had an additional audience as well.
Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey) was an important cultural center of the ancient world, only behind Rome, and Alexandria. The amazing temple to Diana, of Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, dominated the social life of the city. Diana, among many other things, was the goddess of new life and birth.
It's traditionally thought that Ephesus was the home of the apostle John in the latter part of the first century.
The book of Ephesians Chapter 1 : Verses 1 - 6
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is being sent to the saints who are in Ephesus, faithful in Christ Jesus, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
Verse 3: Paul says: 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.
2127 /eulogéō ("confer what is beneficial") is used of God blessing people (Lk 1:28; Eph 1:3; Heb 6:14, etc.) – and His people blessing Him (Lk 1:64, 2:28, 24:53; 1 Cor 14:16; Js 3:9).
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
According to the riches of God's grace they have been bought back (we too) through the death, of Christ, also the forgiveness of Sins.
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
(Just a heads up there are somethings being noted that aren't fully understood with some side notes) - You can take them for what they are worth this is still a verse by verse, study of Ephesians, everyone is growing and learning every day, and so may God give you the increase and may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, love of God and the fellowship of the holy spirit be with you!
It will always be about your faith, love for God, and love for Others. Keep growing!
Purpose:
The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Ephesus to encourage and help them realize and lay hold of the riches of God's grace in Christ (1:3-23). The language of the letter makes it clear that Paul is enraptured by the overflowing goodness of God. His words of praise stream out like a gushing river. Paul explains to his readers the incredible gift believers have been given in Christ. In Ephesus, a city with powerful and influential pagan cult- the worship off Diana of Ephesus - The apostles emphasizes the universal and supreme nature of Christ power and authority.
The Apostle wrote to encourage believers to live a life worthy of God's calling in a spirit of gratitude (2:8-10; 4:1), Paul had been accuse of preaching a gospel that made good deeds irrelevant. However the apostle shows that good deeds are a thankful response to what God has done for the world through Jesus. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which god prepared in advance for us to Do" (2:10)
Background
Author: The author of Ephesians is the apostle Paul (1:1)
Date The letter was written sometimes in Ad 60-62, while he was under house arrest in Rome.
Audience : The audience was the church at Ephesus. But since Ephesus was a cosmopolitan city and probably included believers from Greek, Roman, Jewish backgrounds, the letter was likely circulated to other churches in the area and so would have had an additional audience as well.
Ephesus (in modern-day Turkey) was an important cultural center of the ancient world, only behind Rome, and Alexandria. The amazing temple to Diana, of Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, dominated the social life of the city. Diana, among many other things, was the goddess of new life and birth.
It's traditionally thought that Ephesus was the home of the apostle John in the latter part of the first century.
The book of Ephesians Chapter 1 : Verses 1 - 6
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 1-2: In the first two verses you can see who what is being said: From Paul, and apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.
This is being sent to the saints who are in Ephesus, faithful in Christ Jesus, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
Verse 3: Paul says: 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.
Paul is saying that it is a great blessing, to be Blessed by the God, and Father
Of our Lord Jesus Christ who
Has blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places in Christ
Has blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places in Christ
The apostles have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, as well as those who are also chosen by God, have been blessed with every spiritual blessing.
blessed:
2127 eulogéō (from 2095 /eú, "well, good" and 3056 /lógos, "word, reason") – properly, to speak (reason) which confers benefit; hence, bless.2127 /eulogéō ("confer what is beneficial") is used of God blessing people (Lk 1:28; Eph 1:3; Heb 6:14, etc.) – and His people blessing Him (Lk 1:64, 2:28, 24:53; 1 Cor 14:16; Js 3:9).
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
verse 4: Paul goes on to say just as the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Paul seems to be writing to a people who have been chosen, along with the apostles here, in this letter before the foundation of the world.
(1st Church?) This would be hard to replicate in todays society.
That they should be holy, and without blame before God in love.
2602 /katabolḗ ("foundation-plan") typically relates to Christ's incarnation, i.e. coming to earth in the flesh to be our Redeemer. This divine plan was set and sealed (guaranteed) before creation (Heb 9:26; 1 Pet 1:20; Rev 13:8). In general, 2602 (katabolḗ) refers to the basis God has established, upon which all people can know Him. This was laid down before the first ray of sunshine or drop of water touched the earth.
Holy:
40 hágios – properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, 40 (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."
The fundamental (core) meaning of 40 (hágios) is "different" – thus a temple in the 1st century was hagios ("holy") because different from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). In the NT, 40 /hágios ("holy") has the "technical" meaning "different from the world" because "like the Lord."
[40 (hágios) implies something "set apart" and therefore "different (distinguished/distinct)" – i.e. "other," because special to the Lord.]
Blameless: 299 ámōmos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 3470 /mṓmos, "blemish") – properly, unblemished, without spot or blot (blight); (figuratively) morally, spiritually blameless, unblemished from the marring effects of sin.
World:
2889 kósmos (literally, "something ordered") – properly, an "ordered system" (like the universe, creation); the world.
[The English term "cosmetic" is derived from 2889 /kósmos, i.e. the order
("ensemble") used of treating the face as a whole.]
(1st Church?) This would be hard to replicate in todays society.
That they should be holy, and without blame before God in love.
Love: 26 agápē – properly, love which centers in moral preference. So too in secular ancient Greek, 26 (agápē) focuses on preference; likewise the verb form (25 /agapáō) in antiquity meant "to prefer" (TDNT, 7). In the NT, 26 (agápē) typically refers to divine love (= what God prefers).
Usage: love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.
Foundation:
Usage: love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.
Foundation:
2602 katabolḗ (from 2596 /katá, "exactly according to," down from the most general to the most specific detail, "following all the way along," and 906 /bállō, "to cast") – properly, a foundation, cast according to a blueprint (original design); the substructure which determines the entire direction (destination) of all that follows; the foundation-plan, upon which the entire super-structure is built; (figuratively) the beginning (founding) that purposefully designs all that follows.2602 /katabolḗ ("foundation-plan") typically relates to Christ's incarnation, i.e. coming to earth in the flesh to be our Redeemer. This divine plan was set and sealed (guaranteed) before creation (Heb 9:26; 1 Pet 1:20; Rev 13:8). In general, 2602 (katabolḗ) refers to the basis God has established, upon which all people can know Him. This was laid down before the first ray of sunshine or drop of water touched the earth.
Holy:
40 hágios – properly, different (unlike), other ("otherness"), holy; for the believer, 40 (hágios) means "likeness of nature with the Lord" because "different from the world."
The fundamental (core) meaning of 40 (hágios) is "different" – thus a temple in the 1st century was hagios ("holy") because different from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). In the NT, 40 /hágios ("holy") has the "technical" meaning "different from the world" because "like the Lord."
[40 (hágios) implies something "set apart" and therefore "different (distinguished/distinct)" – i.e. "other," because special to the Lord.]
Blameless: 299 ámōmos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 3470 /mṓmos, "blemish") – properly, unblemished, without spot or blot (blight); (figuratively) morally, spiritually blameless, unblemished from the marring effects of sin.
World:
2889 kósmos (literally, "something ordered") – properly, an "ordered system" (like the universe, creation); the world.
[The English term "cosmetic" is derived from 2889 /kósmos, i.e. the order
("ensemble") used of treating the face as a whole.]
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Verse 5: Paul goes on to say that the God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Predestined:
4309 proorízō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 3724 /horízō, "establish boundaries, limits") – properly, pre-horizon, pre-determine limits (boundaries) predestine.
[4309 (proorízō) occurs six times in the NT (eight in the writings of Paul). Since the root (3724 /horízō) already means "establish boundaries," the added prefix (pro, "before") makes 4309 (proorízō) "to pre-establish boundaries," i.e. before creation.]
Divine adoption as sons: 5206 hyiothesía (from 5207 /hyiós, "son" and 5087 /títhēmi, "to place") – properly, sonship (legally made a son); adoption.
Predestined:
4309 proorízō (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 3724 /horízō, "establish boundaries, limits") – properly, pre-horizon, pre-determine limits (boundaries) predestine.
[4309 (proorízō) occurs six times in the NT (eight in the writings of Paul). Since the root (3724 /horízō) already means "establish boundaries," the added prefix (pro, "before") makes 4309 (proorízō) "to pre-establish boundaries," i.e. before creation.]
Divine adoption as sons: 5206 hyiothesía (from 5207 /hyiós, "son" and 5087 /títhēmi, "to place") – properly, sonship (legally made a son); adoption.
Side note: Now this is a letter being written to the Ephesians and other surrounding audiences: would like to say this is for us today, however these things are being written to a group of people who have been predestined to become partakers in the inheritance of what God has to offer them.
This is still available not for just a select group of people anymore but on a world wide scale -> God is now calling all people to come and partake- though this is something to remind yourself when it comes to context.
This letter is being written to a select group of people in a time period of 60 to 62 ad, to keep themselves holy and blameless before God in love. That they have been predestined to continue in this faith, and to hold on to God, and the Lord jesus Christ which was in accordance to the good pleasure of His will.
This is still available not for just a select group of people anymore but on a world wide scale -> God is now calling all people to come and partake- though this is something to remind yourself when it comes to context.
This letter is being written to a select group of people in a time period of 60 to 62 ad, to keep themselves holy and blameless before God in love. That they have been predestined to continue in this faith, and to hold on to God, and the Lord jesus Christ which was in accordance to the good pleasure of His will.
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
verse 6: Paul say, to the praise and glory of God's grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved - Christ Jesus.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
verse 7: In Christ Jesus we have redemption (been bought-back) through His blood (death), the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
According to the riches of God's grace they have been bought back (we too) through the death, of Christ, also the forgiveness of Sins.
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
verse 8: Which God made to abound (Gods grace) in all wisdom and understanding.
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
Verse 9: Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purpose in Himself.
So Paul is saying God has made know the mystery of God's will by sending the Messiah to come, die, be buried and resurrect, for saving all of mankind by and through his bloodshed on the Cross, in which we receive redemption being bought back through Christ, and the forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with God, according to his good pleasure which He purpose in Himself to do.
So Paul is saying God has made know the mystery of God's will by sending the Messiah to come, die, be buried and resurrect, for saving all of mankind by and through his bloodshed on the Cross, in which we receive redemption being bought back through Christ, and the forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with God, according to his good pleasure which He purpose in Himself to do.
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
Verse 10: that in the stewardship (management) of the fulness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven, and which are on earth - Him.
3622 oikonomía (from 3621 /oikonoméō, "a steward, managing a household") – properly, a stewardship, management (administration), i.e. where a person looks after another's affairs (resources).
[A "dispensation" can also refer to a special period of time (management). But this is a secondary (not primary) meaning of 3622 (oikonomía).]
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,Side note: This seems to be talking about the Reconciliation of Mankind unto himself - things in heaven, and things on earth. (Not 100% sure but it seems so)
So God in Christ is head over all things - > The only authority? (stewardship- management of the fulness of the times?)
Though in my belief as it is said in the truth of the Gospel - > No one comes to the Father except through me which requires -> belief -> change of mind ; a willingness to accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ
Dispensation:So God in Christ is head over all things - > The only authority? (stewardship- management of the fulness of the times?)
Though in my belief as it is said in the truth of the Gospel - > No one comes to the Father except through me which requires -> belief -> change of mind ; a willingness to accept the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ
3622 oikonomía (from 3621 /oikonoméō, "a steward, managing a household") – properly, a stewardship, management (administration), i.e. where a person looks after another's affairs (resources).
[A "dispensation" can also refer to a special period of time (management). But this is a secondary (not primary) meaning of 3622 (oikonomía).]
verse 11: Paul goes on to explain in Christ - We also have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
verse 12: That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
(1st Church of believers)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Verse 13: In Christ you trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: In whom also having, believed, you were sealed with the holy spirit of promise.
(For us today too! what a great promise!)
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Christ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory,
(1st Church - Bride - Possession?)
Side Note: We too today as believers in Christ Jesus also are part of the inheritance / through our God given faith through believing and trust in God and His Son - > We too still will have the promises of God which is the holy spirit, rewards in heaven, and resurrection from the dead, God will never leave us or forsake us, we are delivered from Darkness into the Kingdom of the Son, we are children of God, Son or Daughter of God when we walk by the spirit.
Last edited:
