Ephesians 1
—Simply Bible Readings

We Are So Blessed

(Ephesians 1:1-14)

¶“1Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God... I write to you who are in Ephesus —people made holy and faithful in Christ Jesus. 2I wish you grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:1-2).

¶“3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4Indeed he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. God wanted us to be holy and blameless in his presence. In love God predestined us for adoption as God’s sons through Jesus Christ. This fitted the good pleasure of his will, 6 and leads us into the praise of his glorious grace. God has freely given us this grace, making us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3-6).

¶“7In Christ we have redemption through his blood. We are forgiven of our trespasses, befitting the riches of God’s grace. 8God made grace abound toward us, in all wisdom and insight, 9after he made known to us the mystery of his will. This fitted his good pleasure and what he purposed in himself. 10It was his plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things to a head in Christ —things in heaven and on earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10).

¶“11In him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined thus. This befits the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. 12It results in our existing for the praise of his glory —we who were the first to trust in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:11-12).

¶“13You also heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. You believed in Christ. Then, in him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14The Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance toward its redemption as our acquired possession. All this is to the praise of Christ’s glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Wisdom and Power

(Ephesians 1:15-23).

¶“15Since you heard the word of truth, I also have heard that among you there is faith in the Lord Jesus, and love toward all the people made holy. 16So I continually mention you in my prayers, giving thanks for you.” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

¶“17I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory. May he give you the Spirit of wisdom. May he give you revelation in his knowledge. 18May he enlighten the eyes of your minds so that you see the hope of his calling. May you perceive the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the people made holy. 19May you understand the surpassing greatness of his power towards us whose faith is wrought by his mighty power.” (Ephesians 1:17-19).

¶“20This power was at work in Christ. God raised Christ from the dead, and seated him in the heavenly realms at his right hand. 21He was exalted above every highness, authority, power, lord, and title —not only in this age, but also in the age to come. 22God put all things under his feet. God committed him to be head over all things to the people called out. 23They are his body, his fullness. In all things, he fills all.” (Ephesians 1:20-23).