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For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.

1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Read full chapter Footnotes Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The Greeks thought that those free from the fragilities of life were blessed: those who did not need to toil. This usually meant the rich, who were free from cares, or the dead, who were free from grief. Jewish people thought those who had God as their Lord, who trusted in him and obeyed him, were blessed. Their signs of being blessed were long life, prosperity, honor, and security in God.

Paul, however, writes that the blessed person is one who has been blessed by God with every spiritual blessing in Christ. In one long sentence (in the Greek), he moves between praising God, extolling him for his multifaceted work on our behalf, and describing his character. In love, God has acted for you, with all wisdom and understanding, according to the wealth of his grace, and in accordance with his plan and pleasure. God is pleased to bless you.

The blessing God gives is not to be transported away from life’s tough times, nor to be guaranteed wealth, children, or long life. It is to be chosen, holy and blameless, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, included, and marked as someone who will receive a glorious inheritance. What do we look at when we consider whether we are blessed? To our bank account, our children or grandchildren, our careers, or our reputation with others? Paul reminds us to look at God and consider what he has done for us, for then we find that we are blessed beyond measure with blessings that will not spoil or fade.

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