v.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:
“will of God” means special purpose
v.2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
“peace” means prosperity
v.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:
“blessed” means worthy of praise
“spiritual blessings” means imparted by the Holy Spirit
“in heavenly places” means the kingdom of heaven
v.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:
v.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
” having predestinated” means our adoption and inheritance as sons of God
“the adoption of children” means Christian’s
“good pleasure of his will” means purpose
v.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
“accepted” means divine favor (read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
v.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
“redemption” means Christ laid down His life as a ransom for those who believe
“blood” means the atonement made by His death
“the riches of his grace” means money and possessions
v.8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
“wisdom” means the ideas of infinite skill, insight, knowledge and purity
“prudence” means moral insight
v.9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
“mystery” means particular doctrines
“will” means active choice
“purposed” means to plan beforehand
v.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:
“dispensation” means arrangement of things
“gather together in one” means to comprehend several things under one
v.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:
“obtained an inheritance” means to obtain an inheritance through the casting of lots and be an heir
“purpose” means the eternal purpose and counsel of God
v.12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
“praise” means a commendable thing
“glory” means of the divine perfections as manifested in the power of God
v.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,
“sealed” means to stamp and keep secret
“holy” means moral blameless
v.14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
“earnest” means the gift of the Holy Spirit
“inheritance” means admission to the kingdom of God and it’s attendant privileges
“redemption” means to let go free for a ransom
v.15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
v.16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
v.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:
“wisdom” means divine wisdom, the ability to regulate one’s relationship with God
v.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,
“understanding” means the mind, thoughts and intellect
“enlightened” means to impart moral and spiritual light
“calling” means invitation to the kingdom of God and its privileges
v.19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
“power” means the great power of God and his Almighty energy
“mighty” means power, potency and preeminence
“power” means strength
v.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,
v.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:
“principality” means princes or chiefs among angels
“power” means the celestial and infernal powers, princes, potentates, angels and archangels
“might” means those in authority
“dominion” means despised by wicked men, created by Christ and has been placed above them
“name” means imply character, dignity, referring to an honorable appellation, title
v.22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to the head over all things to the church
“hath put” means God bringing all things under the control of Christ
v.23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
“body” means the whole body of Christians