PrevEphesians 1:2Next

Ephesians 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:

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

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:

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

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:

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:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

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:

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,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

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:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

What does Ephesians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 1:2 is a biblical greeting found in the opening of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.

In this verse, Paul bestows a blessing of grace and peace upon the recipients of the letter.

Grace ("charis" in Greek) is understood as the unmerited favor and kindness offered by God to humanity.

Peace ("eirene" in Greek), refers to wholeness, tranquility, and well-being that comes as a result of one’s relationship with God.

Together, the concepts of grace and peace encapsulate the core message of the Gospel, salvation and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

This greeting mirrors typical greetings of the era but is distinct in its Christian elements. It reflects the dual source of the blessings, God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus.

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Ephesians is traditionally believed to have been written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome, around AD 62.

It is important to understand that in the Roman Empire, letters often began with similar greetings, wishing the recipient health or prosperity.

However, Paul adapted this customary opening to convey Christian blessings, echoing his theology.

At the time, the Ephesian church was a diverse community consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. The letter's message aimed to unite these groups around the central tenets of the Christian faith.

Theological Insights

This verse speaks directly to the relationship between believers and the divine.

From a theological standpoint, it encapsulates key Christian doctrines:

The Doctrine of the Trinity: Mentioning both God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ highlights the early Christian understanding of the Triune God.
Salvation by Grace: Grace is a fundamental theme in Pauline theology, stressing that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human effort.
The Lordship of Christ: Referring to Jesus as "Lord" asserts His divine authority and central role in salvation.
Christian Peace: Unlike the worldly concept of peace, this is a deep spiritual state granted by God to those who are reconciled to Him through Christ.

Practical Applications

The teaching of grace and peace has vast practical applications for believers:

Interpersonal Relationships: Christians are encouraged to extend grace and live peacefully with others, mirroring the grace received from God.
Spiritual Well-being: Meditating on the blessings of God can provide comfort and assurance amidst hardships.
Evangelism: The greeting serves as a reminder to share the gospel's message of grace and peace with others.

Cross-References

Romans 1:7: "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 1:2: "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Galatians 1:3: "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ."

Language Study

Grace (charis): This term refers to a gift or favor freely given, not because of any work or merit on the part of the recipient but due to the generosity of the giver.
Peace (eirene): Often understood as the absence of conflict, "eirene" goes deeper, signifying a state of completeness, prosperity, and contentment bestowed upon those in a right relationship with God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The greeting in Ephesians reflects typical Greco-Roman letter-writing customs, albeit altered to incorporate key Christian beliefs. Comparatively, in Jewish tradition, the word "shalom" (peace) carries similar overtones to "eirene" used by Paul, implying overall well-being and harmony with God.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific concepts, the discussion of peace from a psychological viewpoint suggests that spiritual beliefs and practices can contribute to mental and emotional well-being.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse:

John Stott (The Message of Ephesians): Emphasizes the significance of the dual source of the blessings, God the Father and Jesus Christ, reflecting the Christian understanding of God.
**F.F.

Bruce** (The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians): Notes that the coupling of grace and peace encapsulates the gospel's essence.

Matthew Henry (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible): Discusses grace as the root and peace as the fruit of the Christian's life.

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1

What does Ephesians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Ephesians 1:2 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Ephesians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?