Ephesians 1 Commentary

Paul begins this letter by greeting the faithful believers in Ephesus and asks God to give them favor and peace.

Paul explains how the Trinity of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) are all at work in saving believers from sin. God the Father chose believers before creation itself, setting them apart for the purpose of walking blamelessly in His ways. Jesus Christ the Son made this adoption possible by dying on the cross. If we live lives of faithful witness, we can inherit great reward, just as Jesus did.

Through Christ's sacrifice, we are forgiven of our sins and redeemed. Once we believe in Jesus, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit who comes to live within us and ensure that we belong to God forever and will inherit eternal life from Him.

Paul prays that the hearts of the Ephesians would experience the hope of everything God calls us to, to live rightly before Him in the abundant power He gives us to choose to obey Him. A glimpse of the greatness of God's power is displayed in the resurrection of Jesus. God raised Him from the dead and put Him on the Throne in Heaven, giving Him rulership over all of creation and all people as the reward for His obedience to God.