Ephesians 1:1-14

We're starting a new study today, Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. If you haven't watched the Bible Project's video survey of this letter, it's a good outline. Click on the link below the image (not on the image itself, it's a screenshot). It's about a 9 minute watch. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy the short video.

 Bible Project's Book of Ephesians video link

Here are the major themes [from Biblical Foundations for Freedom] in the Book of Ephesians. See if you can apply them to the text as you read Paul's letter.

Major Themes

• The glorious position of Christ
  
• The holy calling of God’s people
  
• The equipping of God’s people to do what God has appointed them
  
• God’s general purpose for the church and the believers
  
• The means God displays His glory
  
• The transition between the Old and New Covenants
  
• Paul’s authority to speak the Gospel
  
• The meaning and implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  
• The Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of His people
  
• The innate sinful nature of mankind
  
• The nature and means of salvation
  
• The transformation that takes place in His people (from sin)
  
• The unique lifestyle of God’s people
  
• Unity among God’s people
  
• The ability of God’s people to withstand Satan and his forces
  
• The importance and style of prayer needed for the welfare of the church

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:

To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus[Or to the saints, the believers in Christ Jesus] at Ephesus.[Other mss omit at Ephesus]

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Rich Blessings

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.[Or in his sight. In love] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.[Or on us. With all wisdom and understanding] 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the right time[Or the fulfillment of times]—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

11 In him we have also received an inheritance,[Or In him we are also an inheritance], because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. 14 The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

CSB