Bible Commentaries
Ephesians 1

Verse 1

in Christ

The believer's place as a member of the body of Christ, vitally united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Verse 3

in heavenly places

Literally, the heavenlies. The same Greek word is used in John 3:12 where "things" is added. In both places the word signifies that which is heavenly in contradistinction to that which is earthy. In Ephesians "places" is especially misleading. "The heavenlies" may be defined as the sphere of the believer's spiritual experience as identified with Christ in nature. 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Peter 1:4 life, ; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 5:12; 1 John 5:12 relationships ; John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11 service, ; John 17:18; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 28:20 suffering ; Philippians 1:29; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24 inheritance Romans 8:16; Romans 8:17 and future glory in the kingdom ; Romans 8:18-21; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10. The believer is a heavenly man, and a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. ; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 2:11.

Verse 5

predestinated

Predestination is that effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass. See Election,

(See Scofield " :-")

Foreknowledge, (See Scofield " :-")

adoption

Adoption (huiothesia, "placing as a son") is not so much a word of relationship as of position. The believer's relation to God as a child results from the new birth John 1:12; John 1:13 whereas adoption is the act of God whereby one already a child is, through redemption from the law, placed in the position of an adult son. Galatians 4:1-5.

The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this in the believer's present experience Galatians 4:6 but the full manifestation of the believer's sonship awaits the resurrection, change, and translation of saints, which is called "the redemption of the body" ; Romans 8:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 ; Ephesians 1:14; 1 John 3:2.

Verse 7

sins

Sin. (See Scofield " :-") .

grace Grace (in salvation). Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24. (See Scofield "Romans 3:24- :") .

Verse 9

mystery

See, Romans 16:25; Romans 16:26; Ephesians 3:3. (See Scofield "Ephesians 3:3- :") .

Verse 10

dispensation of the fullness of times

The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. This, the seventh and last of the ordered ages which condition human life on the earth, is identical with the kingdom covenanted to David. 2 Samuel 7:8-17; Zechariah 12:8

Summary;

Luke 1:31-33; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 1 Corinthians 15:24 and gathers into itself under Christ all past "times":

(1) The time of oppression and misrule ends by Christ taking His kingdom. Isaiah 11:3; Isaiah 11:4.

(2) The time of testimony and divine forbearance ends in judgment. Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 17:30; Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:7-15.

(3) The time of toil ends in rest and reward. 2 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

(4) The time of suffering ends in glory. Romans 8:17; Romans 8:18.

(5) The time of Israel's blindness and chastisement ends in restoration and conversion. Romans 11:25-27; Ezekiel 39:25-29.

(6) The times of the Gentiles end in the smiting of the image and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens. Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:35; Revelation 19:15-21.

(7) The time of creation's thraldom ends in deliverance at the manifestation of the sons of God. Genesis 3:17; Isaiah 11:6-8; Romans 8:19-21.

Verse 13

sealed

The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies:

(1) A finished transaction Jeremiah 32:9; Jeremiah 32:10; John 17:4; John 19:30.

(2) Ownership Jeremiah 32:11; Jeremiah 32:12; 2 Timothy 2:19

(3) Security Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:17; Ephesians 4:30