Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14 (NRSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
Word in Context
This letter is attributed to Paul, “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,” and it is addressed “to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Jesus Christ.” However, it may well have been written by a disciple of Paul, and it may have originally been intended as a “general letter intended for many churches” (HarperCollins Study Bible, p. 2192). The letter comes from the last third of the first century. It begins with “a vastly cosmic picture of God’s plan…”(HarperCollins Study Bible, p. 2193).
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced being blessed in Christ?
- In what ways does God bless you? In what ways do you want God to bless you?
- How have you experienced the “lavish grace” of God?
Prayer
Lord, help us to know how blessed we are, and help us to be a blessing to others. Amen.
