Christmas Season · Second Sunday after Christmas Day · Year C
Ephesians 1:3-14
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
January 2, 2028
Overview & Insights
“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4)
The Opening Greeting 1:1 Except for the omission of Timothy, the opening of this greeting is quite similar to Colossians 1:1. The letter claims to be from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus . This term was one that Paul used frequently to indicate that he was “one who was sent” ( apostellō , “to send”) as a missionary or special envoy of God. It is used of the twelve disciples as well as for others who fulfill an apostolic function, such as Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7). At times, it is applied to Christians who have a very vivid experience of Christ (Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1). By the time Ephesians was written, it was used primarily for those who were the founders of the Christian church (2:20).
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Commentary
Working Preacher: Commentary on Ephesians 1:3-14 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary exegesis on the doxology of election, adoption, and redemption.
Enduring Word: Ephesians 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Ephesians 1:3 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
StudyLight: Ephesians 1 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Ephesians 1 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Ephesians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the letter's setting and cosmic scope.
BibleProject: Ephesians Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Paul's vision of the church united in Christ.
BibleHub Interlinear: Ephesians 1:3 BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the long opening sentence of blessing.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What are the spiritual blessings of Ephesians 1?
Paul's great blessing praises the Father who chose us, the Son who redeemed us by his blood, and the Spirit who seals us, all to the praise of God's glorious grace.
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