Ephesians 1:1
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
Paul is writing this letter. God picked him to tell others about Jesus. He’s writing to the people in the city of Ephesus who love and follow Jesus.
Ephesians 1:2
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Explanation:
Paul is saying, “I hope God gives you kindness and calmness.”
Ephesians 1:3
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Explanation:
We should thank God because, through Jesus, God has given us every good spiritual gift.
Ephesians 1:4
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Explanation:
Before the world even began, God picked us and loved us. He wanted us to be close to Him and live in a good way.
Ephesians 1:5
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Explanation:
God planned to make us part of His family through Jesus. He wanted to do this, and it made Him happy.
Ephesians 1:6
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
Explanation:
We thank God for His amazing kindness that He gave to us because we belong to Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Explanation:
God is so kind! Jesus gave His life to rescue us and forgive all the wrong things we’ve done.
Ephesians 1:8
He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Explanation:
God gave us a lot of kindness, and He also helps us understand things the right way.
Ephesians 1:9
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.
Explanation:
God has shown us His secret plan—His big plan to do something good through Jesus.
Ephesians 1:10
And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.
Explanation:
God’s plan is to put everything in heaven and on earth under Jesus’ leadership when the time is right.
Ephesians 1:11
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Explanation:
Since we are connected to Jesus, we get a special gift from God. God planned this all along and makes things work out just right.
Ephesians 1:12
God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.
Explanation:
God wanted those who first believed in Jesus to live in a way that makes Him look great.
Ephesians 1:13
And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
Explanation:
You who aren’t Jews heard the good news, too—that God saves you. When you believed, God gave you the Holy Spirit to show you belong to Him.
Ephesians 1:14
The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Explanation:
The Holy Spirit is like a promise from God, showing He will give us everything He said He would. We belong to Him, and that’s a reason to praise Him.
Ephesians 1:15
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,
Explanation:
Paul says, “I’ve heard how much you believe in Jesus and how much you love others.”
Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,
Explanation:
Paul keeps saying thank you to God for them and prays for them all the time.
Ephesians 1:17
asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Explanation:
Paul asks God to help them get smarter in understanding Him and to know Him better.
Ephesians 1:18
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Explanation:
Paul wants their hearts to be full of light so they understand the great hope and future God gives His special people.
Ephesians 1:19
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power
Explanation:
Paul hopes they understand how powerful God is, and that this power is for people who believe in Him.
Ephesians 1:20
that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Explanation:
It’s the same amazing power that brought Jesus back to life and gave Him the highest place in heaven.
Ephesians 1:21
Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
Explanation:
Jesus is above all kings, bosses, and leaders—forever and ever.
Ephesians 1:22
God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
Explanation:
God gave Jesus control over everything, especially for the good of the church (the people who follow Him).
Ephesians 1:23
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Explanation:
The church is like Jesus’ body—He fills it and makes it whole with His love and power.