Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
You and I have access to these spiritual blessings through Christ. Only in Him, in Truth, can you begin to see those blessings.
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
There are some "chosen" before this human flesh age of time, to do things at certain times in this flesh age of time. You are chosen to be here right now at this very moment in time for a reason. Choice! Christ Jesus or the worldly way and satan. One is life everlasting, the other death. There was a age of time before this one and a reason we are placed where we are, when we are. Jeremiah was but one in the scriptures that prove their reason. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
We all existed before this flesh age. We all had choice to follow God or satan in the first age. Those who followed God are chosen for things of God today. While in this flesh, we have an opportunity to change and many won't. "Predestinated" = προορίζω proorízō, pro-or-id'-zo; from G4253 and G3724; to limit in advance, i.e. (figuratively) predetermine:—determine before, ordain, predestinate. In the NT of God decreeing from eternity, to foreordain, appoint beforehand. Romans 8:29-30 29 For whom he did [foreknow], he also did [predestinate] to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. "Foreknow" = προγινώσκω proginṓskō, prog-in-oce'-ko; from G4253 and G1097; to know beforehand, i.e. foresee:—foreknow (ordain), know (before). 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he [justified], them he also glorified.
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
We have been shown favor in our accepting Christ Jesus, The Beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
You can never understand The Word if it's full of the world. The Holy Spirit opens our minds to Him, when we accept Him and His ways. If we go our own, we keep wisdom shut out. "Prudence" = φρόνησις phrónēsis, fron'-ay-sis; from G5426; mental action or activity, i.e. intellectual or moral insight:—prudence, wisdom, understanding.
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
As you grow in The Word, you see things much different than you once did. You're able to come to an understanding of questions you have had your whole life. 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Peter is saying he backs all that Paul has written. We gain from those letters if we erase the world from our minds when studying The Word. Once we do, we wonder why the "churches" don't teach what The Holy Spirit has opened to you.
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
This "fulness of times" is the first earth age and this flesh age. We gather together at that 7th trump completing the two ages of time, bringing in the third and final age. "Dispensation" = οἰκονομία oikonomía, oy-kon-om-ee'-ah; from G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy":—dispensation, stewardship. Specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other's property. The office of a manager or overseer, stewardship.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
God is in control and He sees all things are done according to His Will. We have free will but no matter what we do, God's plans will come to pass. Some have been chosen for a job and it's in that, God's will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Do you follow God? Do you see your purpose? If you seek Him, you'll grow in understanding for your purpose. I thank God for you that seek Him daily, that your purpose will open to you. We together are part of His plan.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
"the earnest" being a pledge of God to His children, "our inheritance" the promise of His gift to us through His Son. Eternal life †
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Paul had heard about the Ephesians becoming Christians.
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Paul prays God gives those Ephesians His Spirit of wisdom and revelation in The Truth of His Word. The Holy Spirit unlocks The depth of His Word. He brings us an understanding that on our own, we could never see.
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
That inheritance is eternal life.
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
If you believe in Christ, God opens things up to you that the world could never comprehend. That power is within sight to everyone, but we must turn to Christ to see it.
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Christ gives us The Way.
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
You believe in Christ, you're of His body. You're His church. It's a sick world out there and far to often those that call themselves "Christians" have very little to do with Christ. They've even taken Him out and placed their own selves in place of Him. Christ came that we may live. He defeated satan at the cross. ONLY through Him can we have life. He is given the power over death. No denomination, no building! The true Church is the body of believers in Christ Jesus Yahshua.
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.