Ephesians 1

Greeting

1 Paul, a an apostle of Christ Jesus b by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and c are faithful 1 in Christ Jesus:

2 d Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 e Blessed be f the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing g in the heavenly places, 4 h even as he i chose us in him j before the foundation of the world, that we should be k holy and blameless before him. In love 5 l he predestined us 2 for m adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, n according to the purpose of his will, 6 o to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in p the Beloved. 7 q In him we have r redemption s through his blood, t the forgiveness of our trespasses, u according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 v making known 3 to us the mystery of his will, n according to his purpose, which he w set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for x the fullness of time, y to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained z an inheritance, a having been predestined b according to the purpose of him who works all things according to c the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be d to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard e the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, f were sealed with the g promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is h the guarantee 4 of our i inheritance until j we acquire k possession of it, 5 l to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, m because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love 6 toward all the saints, 16 I n do not cease to give thanks for you, o remembering you in my prayers, 17 that p the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, q may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 r having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is s the hope to which he has called you, what are t the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, u according to the working of v his great might 20 that he worked in Christ w when he raised him from the dead and x seated him at his right hand y in the heavenly places, 21 z far above a all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above b every name that is named, not only in c this age but also in the one to come. 22 And d he put all things under his feet and gave him as e head over all things to the church, 23 f which is his body, g the fullness of him h who fills i all in all.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:1
    Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes.
  3. Cross References
    Colossians 1:2
    To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 1:7
    To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
    1 Peter 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 15:6
    That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:20
    That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.
    Ephesians 2:6
    And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
    Ephesians 3:10
    So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
    Ephesians 6:12
    For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
  8. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:10
    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
    2 Thessalonians 2:13
    But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
    1 Peter 1:2
    According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
  9. Cross References
    James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
    Deuteronomy 7:6
    For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
    Deuteronomy 26:18
    And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments.
  10. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:9
    Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
    Matthew 13:35
    This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.
  11. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:27
    So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
    Colossians 1:22
    He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.
    1 Thessalonians 4:7
    For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
  12. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:11
    In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
    Romans 8:29 - 30
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  13. Cross References
    Romans 8:15
    For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!
  14. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:9
    Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
    Luke 2:14
    "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
    Hebrews 2:4
    While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
    Luke 12:32
    Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:12
    So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
  16. Cross References
    John 3:35
    The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
    John 10:17
    For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
    Colossians 1:13
    He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
    Matthew 3:17
    And behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
  17. Cross References
    Colossians 1:14
    In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
  18. Cross References
    Romans 3:24
    And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
    1 Corinthians 1:30
    And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 20:28
    Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 2:38
    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  21. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:8
    To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    Romans 2:4
    Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
  22. Cross References
    Romans 16:25
    Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
  23. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:5
    He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
  24. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:11
    In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
    Romans 9:11
    Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad - in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls -
  25. Cross References
    Mark 1:15
    And saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
  26. Cross References
    Colossians 1:16
    For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.
    Colossians 1:20
    And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
    Ephesians 3:15
    From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
    Philippians 2:9 - 10
    Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
  27. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:20
    But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day.
    Deuteronomy 32:9
    But the Lord 's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
  28. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:5
    He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
  29. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:11
    This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Revelation 4:11
    "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  30. Cross References
    Acts 20:27
    For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
  31. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:6
    To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
    Ephesians 1:14
    Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
    Philippians 1:11
    Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
  32. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:7
    By truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left.
    Colossians 1:5
    Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.
    2 Timothy 2:15
    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
    Acts 13:26
    Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
    Acts 15:7
    And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
  33. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  34. Cross References
    Acts 1:4
    And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me.
  35. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:22
    And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
  36. Cross References
    Acts 20:32
    And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
    Ephesians 1:18
    Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.
  37. Cross References
    Titus 2:14
    Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
    Ephesians 1:7
    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
  38. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
  39. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:6
    To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
    Ephesians 1:12
    So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
  40. Cross References
    Colossians 1:4
    Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.
    Philemon 1:5
    Because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints.
    Romans 1:8
    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
  41. Cross References
    Colossians 1:9
    And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
  42. Cross References
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
    2 Timothy 1:3
    I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
  43. Cross References
    Romans 15:6
    That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  44. Cross References
    Colossians 1:9
    And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
  45. Cross References
    Hebrews 6:4
    For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit.
    Hebrews 10:32
    But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings.
    Revelation 3:17 - 18
    For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
    Acts 26:18
    To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
  46. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:4
    There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call -
    Ephesians 2:12
    Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
  47. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:8
    To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
    Ephesians 3:16
    That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
    Colossians 1:27
    To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    Ephesians 1:7
    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
  48. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:7
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
    Philippians 3:21
    Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
    Colossians 1:29
    For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
    Colossians 2:12
    Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
  49. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:10
    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
    Daniel 4:30
    And the king answered and said, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?
  50. Cross References
    Acts 2:24
    God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
  51. Cross References
    Mark 16:19
    So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
    Acts 2:33
    Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
    1 Peter 3:22
    Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
  52. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:3
    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.
  53. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:10
    He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
    Colossians 2:10
    And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
    John 3:31
    He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
  54. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:24
    Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
  55. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:15
    From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
    Philippians 2:9
    Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
    Hebrews 1:4
    Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
  56. Cross References
    Matthew 12:32
    And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
  57. Cross References
    Psalms 8:6
    You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
    1 Corinthians 15:27
    For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.
  58. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:15
    Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to g...
    Ephesians 5:23
    For the husband is the head of the wife even as...
    Colossians 1:18
    And he is the head of the body, the church. He ...
    Colossians 2:19
    And not holding fast to the Head, from whom the...
    1 Corinthians 11:3
    But I want you to understand that the head of e...
    Colossians 2:10
    And you have been filled in him, who is the hea...
  59. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:12
    To equip the saints for the work of ministry, f...
    Ephesians 4:16
    From whom the whole body, joined and held toget...
    Ephesians 5:30
    Because we are members of his body.
    Colossians 1:18
    And he is the head of the body, the church. He ...
    Colossians 1:24
    Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, a...
    Ephesians 5:23
    For the husband is the head of the wife even as...
    1 Corinthians 12:27
    Now you are the body of Christ and individually...
  60. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:19
    And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
    John 1:16
    And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
  61. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:10
    He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
  62. Cross References
    Jeremiah 23:24
    Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.
    Colossians 3:11
    Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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