Ephesians 1

“ ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” —Ephesians 1:1-3

(1.) In Christ, we are chosen to be holy and blameless

“ ⁴ For He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” —Ephesians 1:4

(2.) In Christ, we are predestined for adoption

“ ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance to his pleasure and will.” —Ephesians 1:4-5

“ ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son, that they might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” —Romans 8:29

“ ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.” —Hebrews 4:14-16

(3.) In Christ, we are freely given grace

“ ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Christ Jesus, in accordance with his pleasure and will — ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” —Ephesians 1:4-6

“ ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” —Ephesians 1:7-8

(4.) In Christ, we are redeemed and forgiven

“ ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Christ Jesus, in accordance with his pleasure and will — ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” —Ephesians 1:3-8

“ ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” —1 Peter 1:18-19

“ ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 6:23

(5.) In Christ we are included and marked with a seal

“ ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Christ Jesus, in accordance with his pleasure and will — ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹ And he had made known to us the mystery of is will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” —Ephesians 1:3-14

“ ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” —Galatians 3:28-29