Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2025
Chapter 1 Overview
The Will of God
Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 1-7
Concordance: Calling to be His Children
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:
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:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
BEFORE the earth was created God chose us to be HOLY and BLAMELESS. Have we lived up to that?
His plan to ADOPT us as His children! Do we deserve that? Are we qualified candidates to even be considered as “adoptable”?
Only through His grace is there the possibility. The Grace that sent His Son to make an atonement by His shed blood on the cross.
WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD?
Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 8-9
Concordance: THE WILL OF GOD; Calling-Election
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
The “…mystery of his will…”. Has no one ever stopped reading at that phrase? How many generations have sought after the will of God?
Paul is getting ready to tell us. In BLACK AND WHITE, there SHOULD NEVER be a question concerning it again.
THE WILL OF GOD
THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER ANSWER FROM THE BIBLE!
Concordance: THE WILL OF GOD; Calling-Election; Latter-Times
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:
Breaking it down:
1) “…dispensation of the fulness of times…”
Dispensation = a PERIOD of time.
Time = time ONLY exists on earth WHILE the earth and sun are in an orbital pattern. (24 hours = 1 Day)
When an individual LEAVES that orbit, there is NO marking of TIME! THERE IS NO 24 HOUR DAY!
When the END OF TIME arrives…
2) “…he might gather together in one…”
At THAT POINT, He will GATHER TOGETHER…into ONE
Not multiple or separate but gathered into ONE. The individual becomes part of the WHOLE.
When the END OF TIME arrives God will gather together…
3) “…all things in Christ…”
What will be gathered to make this ONE? ONLY the things that are IN (BELONG TO) CHRIST!
When the END OF TIME arrives God will gather together ONLY the things that BELONG TO CHRIST…
4) “…both which are in heaven, and which are on earth…”
Where will the “gathered” be taken from? HEAVEN and EARTH
5) “…even in him:…”
The “Melded One” will be gathered unto GOD Himself!
When the END OF TIME arrives God will gather together ONLY the things that BELONG TO CHRIST from both the Earth and Heaven unto God himself.
Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 11-12
Concordance: THE WILL OF GOD; Calling-Election
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:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
“In whom…” = GOD. As part of God’s family we have an inheritance.
“…being predestinated according to the purpose of him…” Verse 4 above, He had a purpose for us before the creation of the world.
We are to be a walking testimonial to the Glory of God our Creator!
Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 13-18
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.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
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:
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,
Paul in his opening of this letter is telling the Ephesian Believers how excited Paul is that they are part of this.
Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 19-23
Concordance: God Description
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
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,
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,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
All things are UNDER the feet of God. Christ sitting on His Right hand.