Ephesians 1:3-14 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in fellowship with Christ. Note: The term “heavenly realms” is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ³ May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in [fellowship with] Christ. [Note: The term “heavenly realms” is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth]. ⁴ Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love ⁵ God predetermined that we should be [considered] His adopted children through [fellowship with] Christ. This is what pleased God and is what He wanted, ⁶ so that we would praise His glorious, unearned favor, which was freely given to us through the One whom God loved [i.e., Christ]. ⁷ In [fellowship with] Christ we have redemption [i.e., we have been bought back from Satan] through His blood, and have forgiveness of sins according to the abundance of God’s unearned favor, ⁸ which He lavished on us. [He used] wisdom and understanding, ⁹ in doing what He intended through Christ, to make known to us His secret plan, according to what pleased Him. ¹⁰ [He did this] to fulfill His plan at the proper time, by bringing together everything [in the universe] under Christ’s headship --- things both in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God’s] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants. ¹² The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God’s splendor. ¹³ You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, “the Holy Spirit who brings promises”]. ¹⁴ He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God’s own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here “redemption” refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God’s splendor.