Greeting
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful1 in Christ Jesus:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5he predestined us2 for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known3 to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee4 of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,5 to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love6 toward all the saints, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Footnotes
- 1 1:1 Some manuscripts saints who are also faithful (omitting in Ephesus)
- 2 1:5 Or before him in love, having predestined us
- 3 1:9 Or he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known . . .
- 4 1:14 Or down payment
- 5 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession
- 6 1:15 Some manuscripts omit your love
Till All His Foes Submit
Ephesians 1:21–23 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 43:39 • ID: 3153The Eyes of Your Heart — Part One
Ephesians 1:15–20 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 40:23 • ID: 3151The Eyes of Your Heart — Part Two
Ephesians 1:15–20 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 33:31 • ID: 3152The Ascended King
Acts 1:6–11, Ephesians 1:18–21, Luke 24:50–53 Sermon • 42:41 • ID: 3160To the Praise of His Glory
Ephesians 1:11–14 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 43:42 • ID: 3142The Riches of His Grace — Part One
Ephesians 1:7–10 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 39:53 • ID: 3140The Riches of His Grace — Part Two
Ephesians 1:7–10 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:40 • ID: 3141A Study in Ephesians, Volume 1
The Believer’s Inheritance Ephesians 1:1–23 Series • ID: 14901By Grace Through Faith
1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body1 and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.2 4But3 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,4 but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by5 the Spirit.
All One in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 2:1–22 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 36:51 • ID: 3432Grace, Faith, Jesus
Ephesians 2:8–9 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 39:15 • ID: 3390Peace in a Hostile World
Ephesians 2:14–18 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 38:19 • ID: 3176A Study in Ephesians, Volume 2
By Grace through Faith Ephesians 2:1–10 Series • ID: 14902The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6This mystery is1 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in2 God who created all things, 10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family3 in heaven and on earth is named, 16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Comprehending the Measureless Love of Christ
Ephesians 3:14 Sermon • 50:15 • ID: 3486I Bow My Knees — Part Two
Ephesians 3:16–17 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 36:40 • ID: 3198I Bow My Knees — Part Three
Ephesians 3:18–19 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 32:25 • ID: 3199I Bow My Knees — Part One
Ephesians 3:14–19 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:08 • ID: 3197The Best Is Yet to Be!
Ephesians 3:11–13 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 39:53 • ID: 3196A Study in Ephesians, Volume 4
The Mystery of the Gospel Ephesians 3:1–21 Series • ID: 14904Unity in the Body of Christ
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”1
9(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?2 10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds3 and teachers,4 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,5 to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22to put off your old self,6 which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Edified, Multiplied (Shoreline)
Acts 9:31, Ephesians 4:1–32 Sermon • 34:16 • ID: 3409Do Not Give the Devil a Foothold
Ephesians 4:25–28 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:25 • ID: 3237Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God
Ephesians 4:29–32 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 46:12 • ID: 3238Saying No to the Old Life
Ephesians 4:17–19 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 43:05 • ID: 3235Gifts of the Ascended Lord
Ephesians 4:11–12 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 45:37 • ID: 3230A Study in Ephesians, Volume 6
Gifts from Above Ephesians 4:7–16 Series • ID: 14906Walk in Love
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.1 28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Footnotes
- 1 5:27 Or holy and blameless
Marriage: God’s Design
Ephesians 5:31–33 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:04 • ID: 3279A Word to Husbands — Part Three
Ephesians 5:28–30 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:06 • ID: 3278A Word to Husbands — Part One
Ephesians 5:25 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 38:25 • ID: 3276A Word to Husbands — Part Two
Ephesians 5:25 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 21:12 • ID: 3277Marriage: An Introduction
Ephesians 5:22–33 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 37:34 • ID: 3274Submitting to One Another
Ephesians 5:21 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 38:46 • ID: 3265Filled with the Spirit — Part One
Ephesians 5:18–19 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:16 • ID: 3262A Study in Ephesians, Volume 8
Love, Light, Wisdom Ephesians 5:1–20 Series • ID: 14908A Study in Colossians, Volume 4
God’s Pattern for Relationships Colossians 3:18–4:1, Ephesians 5:21–6:9 Series • ID: 15104Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.