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More Ephesians commentaries
Ephesians 1:1-6
Our Riches in Christ
Ephesians 1:7-14
Redemption for the believer in Christ
Ephesians 1:15-23
Prayer for knowledge and power
Ephesians 2:1-3
How we were ’before’ salvation
Ephesians 2:4-10
How He works in us ’after’ salvation
Ephesians 2:11-13
My position in Christ as a Gentile
Ephesians 2:14-18
We are one body in Christ
Ephesians 2:19-22
Fellowship needs to be a priority
Ephesians 3:1-6
Missionary to the Gentiles
Ephesians 3:7-13
Mystery of God’s grace
Ephesians 3:14-21
Prayer for God’s power and love
Ephesians 4:1-6
Spiritual unity
Ephesians 4:7-16
Gifts from the Risen Messiah
Ephesians 4:17-22
Walk as a new person in Christ
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Our Riches in Christ
Ephesians 1:1–6
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Patrick Henry once said, “I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them and that is faith in Jesus Christ. If they had that and I had not given them a single shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not … More
Man does not save himself, for salvation is of the Lord (John 2:9). You receive spiritual blessings from the Father (vv. 1-6), the Son (vv. 7-12), and the Spirit (vv. 13-14) and in Christ, you have all you need for life and service. Paul starts off by addressing his letter to the saints (v. 1). The dictionary defines a saint as a “person officially recognized for holiness of life.” The word saint is used nine times in this brief letter and is one of several terms used in the New Testament to describe “those who have trusted Jesus Christ. This does not mean that all saints are sinless but simply that all believers are saints. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace! as Savior.”
The theme of the book is stated when it refers to the riches we have in Christ Jesus (v. 3). What God’s storehouse contains in Christ Jesus, only eternity will reveal. When we were born into God’s family we were born rich. At the time of this writing Bill Gates is said to be the richest man in the world with over 40.7 billion dollars but this wealth is just pennies compared with the spiritual wealth we have in Christ. The unsaved person is concerned primarily with the things in this life because this is where he lives. Whereas the Christian’s life should be centered in heaven because this is where his citizenship is. Many of us live like paupers when Christ has made us rich.
We find that God provided for our salvation before one star was placed in the universe (v. 4). The statement “He hath chosen us” introduces the doctrine of election which no one can fully understand. The mystery of divine sovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. All we know is that both are taught in the Bible; both are true, and both are essential. The next verse (v. 5), introduces us to the word predestination which refers primarily to what God does for saved people. God was very kind to us because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God (v.6).Application
What does it mean for me to be rich in Christ? He has deposited many valuable things for me in the bank of heaven and they are only valuable as I draw on them.
Ephesians 1:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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