< Ephesians 1:1-2 | Ephesians 1:15-23 >
Note: This article is a study through this passage of scripture using the SIDL model. If you are unfamiliar with this, please read this summary, or this more in-depth walk through to understand what's being done here.
Ephesians 1:3-14 The Student
Like all of Paul's letters (other than Galatians), this one starts with a prayer. This is in keeping with the standard practice of the day to begin letters with a short prayer for the health and welfare of the recipients. But Paul took this convention and used it for his own purposes. His prayers are nearly always expressions of thanks and praise to God for what He is doing. In Ephesians Paul takes this to its highest place.
His opening prayer extends at least through 1:23 and in some respects might continue on into the third chapter. The Greek sentence structure is unclear--in fact, all of 1:3-14 is one long sentence. This extended prayer of praise is overflowing with Paul's intent for the letter--to express the amazing thing God has done in saving His people and to illuminate the life-changing nature of living "in Christ." So is this an introductory prayer or a statement of theology?
The NIV Commentary answers both. "Are the first three chapters an expression of prayer and praise? At the very least we must say that...the line distinguishing between theology and prayer is very thin. In praying we convey our understanding of God back to God." Paul starts out expressing praise to God the Father and our Lord Jesus saying that they have "blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." These blessings are found "in Christ." That means both that Christ is the blessing and that the blessings are had in Christ. The blessings are spiritual and they are located "in the heavenly realms. Then Paul goes on to explain what these blessings look like.
First, "He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (1:4). God chose us. Through Jesus, He chose us. He chose us before the creation of the world, and that means before there was sin. God choosing us is not simply a matter of restoration from sin, although that is a practical part of it. He chose us before there ever was sin. When He chose us He chose us for a reason: to be holy (set apart) and blameless. Notice also: He did not choose us because we were holy or blameless. He chose us in order that we could become holy and blameless.
Next, (1:5-6) "In love, He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." God chose us to become a part of his family by the means of Jesus Christ. Additionally, God made this decision not because of anything within us, but "in accordance with his pleasure and will. It was a decision of grace and it comes to us--again--through "the One he loves," Jesus. The Greek of 1:6b actually says "the grace with which he graced us in the Beloved." In "the One he loves" we have "redemption through his blood", which means "the forgiveness of sins." The word translated as redemption (apolytrosis) means release from slavery. The word translated as forgiveness (aphesis) means loosing someone from what binds them.
But that isn't the limit of the blessing. We are lavished (Nice, huh? God's not stingy.) with "all wisdom and understanding. This insight isn't just knowledge. For the Hebrew mind wisdom was the ability to see truth, while understanding was the "insight that leads to right action." So with our forgiveness comes the ability to see truth and to choose right action. Interesting grammatical point: "We have redemption" is in a continous tense. It's not "we received redemption at one point in the past." It is "we have now and are still receiving redemption." It's something that continues.
With this "wisdom and understanding" God "made known to us the mystery of His will." That is, that at the right time everything that exists would return to the headship of Christ, falling under His complete authority and influence. This statement is really the focus of the whole book. It is God's intention that everything be brought under the headship of Jesus. The word "mystery" in the new testament doesn't refer to something that is infathomable or unexplainable as we commonly use the word today. It means "the secret plan of God that will become apparent at the end of the age." But Paul says that in Christ, God has "made known this mystery to us. God's plans are no longer secret. By looking at Christ, we can see exactly what God plans to do.
This plan to restore everything under Christ includes the universe, earth, the nations of the earth and every individual. God's purpose in Christ is cosmic and universal, but it also is personal. It includes us. So Paul goes on to explain how we are included in that. (1:11) We were chosen--predestined--to be a part of this process. We were chosen for the expansion of God's glory. The word "chosen" in 1:11 also means "made heirs." So we were chosen to be a part of God's family and to share a portion of His final plan. While God chose us, we had the opportunity to choose whether we would participate in this plan (1:13). Having chosen to participate when we heard the Gospel, we were then immediately marked by God as His by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Interesting side note: In verses 12 & 13 Paul is unifying the Jewish believers ("we, who were the first to hope in Christ", "hope in Christ" literally means "expect the messiah") and the Gentile believers ("You, who were included in Christ when you heard...") God's universal plan extends beyond the original believers and even the apostles who saw Jesus, to include all of those who choose to accept their position in Christ--even though they only know of it by hearing about it. (That would include all Christians since the 1st century.)
This whole passage is simply an expansion and development of this statement: "God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing through Christ Jesus, choosing us for holiness, for the purpose of fulfilling his will, so that everything would be brought together under the headship of Jesus." All of this happens, Paul says, "in Christ."
Notice in this short section how many things happen "in Christ." We are found faithful in Christ (1:1). We receive every spiritual blessing in Christ (1:3). We are chosen in Christ (1:4). We receive our adoption in Christ (1:5). We find "his glorious grace" in Christ (1:6). We have redemption and forgiveness of sins in Christ and find along with that all wisdom and understanding (1:7). We find "the mystery of God's will" in Christ (1:9). We were predestined in Christ (1:11). We hope in Christ (1:12). We are included in Christ (1:13). We are marked and sealed in Christ (1:13). And we're only 14 verses into the book!
Ephesians 1:3-14 The Interpreter
Paul is praising God for the scope of His amazing plan that starts with blessing us with every spiritual blessing and ends with the entire universe returning to the lordship of Jesus. It's a huge story and as we come to understand it how Paul understood it, it will evoke praise in us as well.
Blessings in the Heavenly Realms
The blessings that God gives (1:3) are not simply blessings for our own security, happiness or fulfillment. These blessings come to us as God's means of attaining His chief goal. So in everything we are caught up in a story much bigger than ourselves. The answers to our prayers, the blessings we receive, are not just about us. They are a part of what God is doing in Christ to rightly order the universe under Christ.
These blessings are given "in the heavenly realms." This is a very uncertain phrase. A lengthy quote from The NIV Application Commentary explains the issue well: "The expression 'in the heavenly realms' is difficult. Paul does not mean that spiritual blessings are to be enjoyed later in heaven, for the focus of this text is on the present enjoyment of God's gifts. In fact, focus on 'getting into heaven' in the future is not the primary concern of the New Testament. The concern is much more for the present life with God and in Christ. While the coming age is important in Ephesians, only 5:5 and 6:8 give any focus to gaining future salvation and both of these verses mention the future only as a prod for present living. Literally the text reads only 'in the heavenlies' and although this word occurs elsewhere as the adjective 'heavenly' it has the sense of 'the heavenly realms' only in Ephesians. The term is not, however, merely a synonym for 'heaven,' as an examination of the four other occurences in Ephesians shows. This phrase can refer to: (1) the place of exaltation for Christ (1:20) and the believers (2:6). (2) the place for revelation of God's wisdom to the rulers and authorities (3:10). (3) more negatively, the place of battle between believers and evil spiritual forces (6:12). In other words, 'heavenly realms' does not refer to a physical location but to a spiritual reality--God's world, in which believers have a share and which evil forces still seek to attack. It includes all of the believer's relation to God and the church's experience. It is a way of saying that this world is not the only reality. A larger reality exists where Christ is already exalted as Lord, where believers participate in his victory, where spiritual forces are opposed. Though believers live physically on this earth, they receive spiritual resources and their identity from a higher plane. The spiritual blessings given to Christians are enjoyed in the present life, for they derive from what God has done in Christ in the heavenlies."
In Christ we were chosen before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless. That means--as I mentioned above--that we were chosen before there was sin. God's initial thought of us was before the fall. We were chosen for a specific means: to be holy and blameless. And this means is for a specific purpose: to "bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." The order here is important. We were chosen "to be" holy and blameless, not because "we were" holy and blameless. And the holiness that God bring into our lives is not for some arbitrary reason. It is the avenue through which He seeks to bring us--along with the rest of the universe--under the headship of Christ.
Predestination?
Verse 1:5 opens up a long-standing theological can of worms with this phrase: "In love he predestined us..." The issue at stake is this: God wants our love and loyalty, but for those to be real they must be freely given. Thus we understand that God protects our ability as free moral agents to choose for or against Him. That's free will. But scripture claims--in this verse among others--that we are "predestined." If God has predestined us--that is determined ahead of time who will be saved and who will not--then how can there be free will? Not only that, but how could a God who pre-determined our fate be said to be loving in any practical sense?
A complete study of this issue would require an entire article of its own, since the waters run quite deep in this area of theology and require a discussion on the nature of God's foreknowledge. But for simplicity's sake, I want to evaluate what this passage of Ephesians has to say about this discussion and then present a simple framework for understanding.
Here's the question: How can our choice to be included in God's plan be reconciled to the scripture's clear statement of God's choosing us? The first thing that Ephesians lets us know on the matter is that however predestination works, it does so in love (1:4). Any theology of predestination that we develop cannot go against God's character of love as revealed in scripture and particularly the person of Jesus. The second thing that Ephesians lets us know about predestination is that it is about God's purposes (1:11). And no matter what we do, no matter what we choose, no matter how vehemently we oppose Him, God's purposes will eventually and completely come to pass.
Third, Ephesians lets us know that the predestination God has done is related to bringing us into His family for the purpose of making us holy and blameless so that we can participate in his plan of restoring the universe under Christ. (1:5, 9-10) Fourth, Ephesians suggests (1:13) that we who have come to be included in Christ did so when we heard the truth and responded by believing it. That clearly indicates that we have a choice and implies that we could choose not to believe.
I personally reconcile these four elements in this way. God has a plan for restoring our broken universe. He is going to bring that plan about. It is destined. God has a profound desire that we, as His creation, would be a part of that plan, but instead of forcing us to be a part of it, He desires that we choose to participate. The plan is destined. God has chosen that we would be a part of it--and provided every means necessary to enable us to do so. But God has left us enough space to decide if we want to be a part of it or not.
Here's a poor analogy, very incomplete, but hopefully clarifying. The high school band instructor has essentially predestined the band year. He knows what music is going to be played. He knows what competitions will be entered. He knows when the exams will be and what they will cover. He knows when the band tour is and where it will go. But he does not know for certain which of the band members will choose to drop out before the end of the year. The band is going on band tour. That is predestined. The band director desires that all the band members would go on tour and has made arrangements for all of them to go, providing everything necessary to make that happen. But each band member has the opportunity over the course of the year to choose whether to take advantage of the arrangements that have been made. The tour will happen. That's up to the band director. But will this particular band member be on the tour? That's up to the band member.
God's Plan.
OK. Back on track. God has "made known" (1:9-10) to us the mystery of his will in Christ. That means that before Christ came it was not completely clear what God was doing in the history of humanity. But now, Paul claims, having seen Christ we can be absolutely certain of what God is ultimately doing. His plan is no longer a mystery. Paul spells it out. (1:10) "...to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." This then is the ultimate reason for everything else in this passage. Our blessings, our chosen-ness, the holiness and blamelessness God calls us to, our redemption and forgiveness, the wisdom and understanding we receive--all of it is leveraged for this one goal. 1:11 could even be read to suggest that the negative things in our lives will be "worked out" for this same purpose because God is the one who "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."
Choosing to Participate.
1:13-14 lays out the sequence of coming to participate in what God has done--choosing my chosen-ness. We were included in Christ when: (1) we heard the word of truth and (2) having believed were (3) marked with the Holy Spirit.
Important ideas here: We accept our adoption in God's family. It's not something that happens against our will. We choose to accept it. Also, we have the opportunity to accept it when we hear the "word of truth." In the Bible the idea of truth is never simply about an idea or abstraction that is factually correct. Truth always brings with it the invitation to respond. And in this case our response activates the adoption that was made available for us. Finally, when we take that step of belief we are then marked and sealed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a separate gift that comes at some other time. It is not a gift that is given to more spiritual Christians. It is not something special to attain to. The Holy Spirit indwells the new believer immediately upon responding to the word of truth with belief.
Ephesians 1:3-14 The Disciple
Note: The Disciple role looks at the passage for what it says about how to live, and can only be done with a personal application. As I look at this passage, some of what I reflect on may be subjectively directed at me--since I'm looking at the issue of how to live my life. Hopefully much of this is transferrable to you, but please remember that this is an example of one follower of Jesus applying this passage to his own life. --Marc Schelske
What does it mean for me that God has blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing? First of all, the blessings have already been given. I'm not looking for blessings that God might or might not give. This passage says they have already been lavishly given. Second, they are spiritual blessings. I take that to mean that they are everything necessary for the support and continuance of my life in the Spirit. In this case I think that the "spiritual realms" here simply is a reminder that my physcial life is not my only nor even my most important life and that the blessings I receive may not at times be physically visible. Practically all this means that I can trust God and release my physical circumstances to Him. He has already blessed me and those blessings continue to impact my life. That leads me to a life of gratitude--regardless of my circumstances, and an inner peace knowing that God is blessing me--even if perhaps I cannot see that blessing.
I've been chosen to be holy and blameless. God chose us before the creation of the world for this. God knows me and choose me long before my life unfolded. I was chosen for a particular reason--to be holy and blameless and thus to participate in God's plan of bringing everything back under the headship of Jesus. What an amazing thing! I am a part of God's universal plan. And God chose me to be a part of it, not because of my holiness or purity, not because of any value on my part, but simply because it pleases Him. (1:5) This challenges me in my life. My being holy and blameless is not something I strive for in order to attain salvation. It is something that God wants to give me in order for me to be an effective partner in His plan to restore everything under Christ. Since I want to be an effective partner with Him, and since I am so appreciative of His grace towards me, I feel a developing desire for holiness in my life.
Predestined to be adopted, receiving His grace, having redemption. God chose me to be a part of his family. What a blessing! It gives God pleasure (1:5) when I live out this adoption in my life. He has freely given me grace through Jesus and as a result I have redemption and the forgiveness of my sins. I "have and continue to have." It doesn't end. It didn't happen once. It continues. I am saved by grace but I live by grace as well. All of these things are spoken of by Paul as being current and present realities. They are not far off promises. They are not things that happened in the distant past. They are current and continuing realities. Am I living out this reality? That's the challenge. Am I living as an adopted son of God? Am I living as one who has freely received grace? Am I living as one redeemed (set free from slavery)? Am I living as one forgiven (released from the things that bind me)? Am I living as one who has been lavished with wisdom and understanding? In Christ all these things are true about me. Will I accept these things as true and live accordingly? Or will I let them remain theological abstractions and continue to live outside the space they define--living as if God wasn't my father, living as one who has been taken advantage of, living as one in slavery or bondange, living as one who has no access to wisdom? It's my choice.
What does the mystery of God's plan mean to me? Paul says (1:10) that God's plan revealed in Christ is "to bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head, even Christ." Am I living in agreement with this? What does it mean for me to let every aspect of my life come under the headship of Christ? The word used in this sentence implies that Christ is the "organizing matrix" around which everything is built. Is this true about my life? Are all the aspects of my soul--my will, my thoughts, my feelings, by body, my social circles--organized, given structure by, and built around Jesus? There are many principles and choices that would flow naturally from this truth.
Hearing the Word of Truth. Paul says that we came to Christ when we heard the word of truth and responded with belief. This is a challege to me in two directions. First, I need to continually put myself in a position to "hear the word of truth" so that I can continue to grow and be changed. Second, I need to be able to speak the word of truth--in words and deeds--so that those in my sphere of influence have the opportunity to hear and thus accept the adoption God has prepared for them.
Ephesians 1:3-14 The Lover
Note: The Lover role looks at the passage for what God is saying to the reader directly, and like the Disciple role, can only be done from a personal perspective. In this role, the reader is listening and responding to what God is saying about Himself, about the reader and about the relationshi between them. As such, I will just reflect on my own experience in this area. Remember that this is only the example of one follower of Jesus trying to her God's voice in the passage. --Marc Schelske
Father, how can I even begin to express my thanks, my appreciation, my worship for all You have done for me in Christ? I get overwhelmed as I begin to think of it. That you would give me every blessing necessary for the growth of my spiritual life; that you would choose me--before I was even around--to be a part of your family and even better, to be a player in your plan to restore the universe; that You would freely give Your Son to make this possible; that you would forgive and redeem, set free and loose my chains; that you would lavish wisdom and understanding on me; that you would choose me to be holy and blameless--even when you know my history of being anything but..all of these things seem nearly incomprehensible.
Thank you so much for the value all of this places on my life. Help me to value my life the way You do. Thank you for providing a way to accomplish what I could never have done. Thank you for caring for me as an individual child even as you are working to redeem the whole cosmos.
I hear You calling me to surrender every corner of my life so that I can more fully participate in Your plan to bring everything under the headship of Jesus. I hear you calling me to trust You as Father and live out my adoption, to allow You to give me holiness and blamelessness, to live set free. Sometimes my chains are comfortable, but I know that they are chains and that You desire my freedom. Thank you so much for taking me in that direction, even when I don't understand it.
Finally, thank you for the certainty, the assurance You've given me. When I believed in You, You gave me the Holy Spirit to keep us connected and that gift is the deposit and the guarantee of my inheritance in You. Thank You so much that what You give me is an inheritance--for an inheritance is not something I can earn, but simply something I receive when I recognize my place in the family.
Help me to live as one of Your sons and fully realize the many gifts and blessings You have already made available to me through Jesus. Help me learn what it is to live "in Christ" Thank You for providing Jesus as the means and the source of everything good for my life. Thank You, Jesus, for carrying that burden for me and for seeking after me even today. Thank You so much. I wish that saying "I love You" could even begin to express the posture of my mind and heart toward You.
This text is (C) 2003 Marc Schelske. All Rights Reserved, and is reprinted here with permission. This material can be printed or copied for personal use and may be distributed for use in study groups, but it cannot be reproduced for any other reason without permission.
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