Thy Strong Word – Ephesians 1:1-14: A Prayer of Blessings

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Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger, President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada & the author of the Concordia Commentary on Ephesians joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study of Ephesians, chapter 1:1-14.

“In Him we have redemption through his blood…which he lavished upon us…” Paul addresses the beloved Ephesian congregation to be united in Christ and see the divine action God has on his people: chosen, predestined, blessed, forgiven, and united by His blood. Paul’s words are a reminder that we are all united by the blood of Christ and on account of Him we are saints, just like the Ephesians. “Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the gift of grace by Your blood that unites us with the Father and one another. Blessed be Your name that we may ever praise You and proclaim the truth of what You do. In Your name. Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two LCMS pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Ephesians 1:1-14

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful[a] in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 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, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In 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, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In 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, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.

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Footnotes

Ephesians 1:1 Some manuscripts saints who are also faithful (omitting in Ephesus)

Ephesians 1:5 Or before him in love, 5having predestined us

Ephesians 1:9 Or he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known…

Ephesians 1:14 Or down payment

Ephesians 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org