ವ್ಯಾಖ್ಯಾನ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತ್ರ ಲಭ್ಯವಿದೆ. ಕನ್ನಡ ಅನುವಾದ ಪ್ರಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ.
Ephesians 1 — Predestinated, Adopted, Sealed
Ephesians 1 is one long doxology — in Greek, verses 3-14 are a single sentence. Paul piles up the eternal blessings the believer has in Christ: chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined to adoption, redeemed through His blood, made privy to the mystery of His will, given an inheritance, sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. The chapter closes with a prayer that the readers would know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glory, and the exceeding greatness of His power — the same power that raised Christ from the dead and set Him far above all.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”
— Ephesians 1:3
- v.1-2 Greeting
- v.3-6 Chosen and adopted by the Father
- v.7-12 Redeemed and made heirs by the Son
- v.13-14 Sealed and assured by the Spirit
- v.15-23 Paul's first prayer — that ye may know
Election precedes creation. Before Genesis 1:1, the names of His people were known to Him. The doctrine bewilders and humbles in equal measure.
In him — the choice was always in Christ. Election is not detached from Christ; it is the Father's decision to give us to His Son.
Predestinated — Greek proorizō, marked out beforehand. The destination was set; the road has now been traveled.
According to the good pleasure of his will — not because of any foreseen worth in us. He chose because it pleased Him to choose.
Redemption through his blood — Old Testament language for the payment of the price that freed slaves. The cross was that price.
According to the riches — not merely out of His riches. The supply is not a sliver of His infinite store; it is in keeping with the whole store.
Mystery — in the New Testament, not a puzzle, but a truth previously hidden and now revealed. Here: the gathering of all things, including Gentiles, into one Head — Christ.
Gather together — Greek anakephalaiōō, to bring everything under one head (kephalē). All history is being summed up under one Person.
The cosmic scope of Christ's lordship: heaven and earth, the seen and unseen, all consolidated in Him.
The Spirit seals the believer. A seal in the ancient world marked ownership, security, and authenticity. The Holy Spirit Himself is the seal.
Note the order: heard, believed, sealed. Sealing is not a second blessing pursued after conversion; it is given at the moment of believing.
Earnest — Greek arrabōn, a down-payment that guarantees the full purchase. The Spirit's present indwelling is God's first installment on the believer's full inheritance.
Paul prays for eyes of the heart (literal Greek). The greatest things Paul wants for the Ephesians cannot be reasoned into being; they require divine illumination.
Three objects of knowing: the hope, the riches, the power (vv.18-19). Every Christian's daily impoverishment is the failure to know what is already his.
Four power words in one verse — power, exceeding greatness, working, mighty power. Paul ransacks the vocabulary because no single term can carry the weight.
The reference point comes next: this power was demonstrated when God raised Christ from the dead. The same power operates in believers now.
All things under his feet — fulfillment of Psalm 8:6 in the resurrected Christ. The cosmos has a Head, and He has given that Head to the church.
Gave him — the verb suggests Christ is the Father's gift to His people. The risen, exalted Lord is given to the church as her Head.
For one week, before any other prayer, begin with verses 3-14 as your own confession. I have been blessed with all spiritual blessings. I was chosen before the foundation of the world. I am sealed. Most Christian poverty is not lack but unawareness. Paul's opening prayer (vv.18-19) is the cure: ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart so you can see what is already yours.
The phrase in him / in Christ appears at least eleven times in this chapter. Every blessing is located in Him. Christ is the place where election was made, where adoption was secured, where redemption was purchased, where the mystery is gathered, where sealing was given, where headship is exercised. The Christian life is not blessings from a distant Christ but blessings in a present Christ.
All spiritual blessings — every blessing the believer will ever need has already been given. Not in installments, not on application, but blessed (perfect tense, accomplished). Christian growth is largely the discovery of what one already has.
In heavenly places — Greek en tois epouraniois, the unseen realm where Christ now reigns. The believer's blessings reside in His sphere.