Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… (Ephesians 1:1-3)
Ephesians is one of several letters Paul wrote while in prison in Rome. During Paul’s final visit to Jerusalem, he was caught up in a violent controversy in the temple. Although Paul did nothing wrong, the local Roman garrison arrested him and held him. Exercising his right as a Roman citizen, Paul appealed to Caesar to hear his case and render judgment. He arrived in Rome several years after his initial arrest; while waiting for an audience with Caesar, he wrote letters to individuals and churches, including the letter to the Ephesians.
The Context
Paul preached the gospel in Ephesus and established a congregation in Acts 19. Ephesus was the chief city of the Roman province of Asia; it was a coastal town with a prominent temple dedicated to the goddess Diana. If you travel to Western Turkey, you can visit the ruins of Ephesus, including the amphitheater and Diana’s temple.
The church in Ephesus had elders; Paul visited with them in Acts 20 as he journeyed back to Jerusalem for the last time. The evangelist Timothy spent time at Ephesus, as did the Apostle John.
Paul’s Message on Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Like other letters from Paul, Ephesus consists of two main parts.
The first half of the letter discusses theology and doctrine, particularly how God unified the Jews and Gentiles into a single church through Jesus Christ.
The second half is more practical: it addresses matters concerning the church and general Christian living. After greeting the congregation with his typical salutation in verses 1-2, Paul begins a celebration of the blessings Christians enjoy in Jesus Christ.
Finding Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
Throughout the New Testament, apostles and prophets alike make it clear that God has given us everything we need in Christ. False teaching and false teachers often claim to hold a key insight or have discovered hidden wisdom that will give us a greater understanding than what God provides. Too many of us are led astray by such promises. Paul and his fellow apostles assure us we have everything we need in Jesus.
God the Father is the Source of our Spiritual Blessings in Christ
James says,
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights (James 1:17).
God the Father is the source of all good things, therefore, it is God the Father who deserves our praise. Jesus always directed praise and gratitude to His heavenly Father during His ministry. In John 14:13, Jesus says, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
When the rich young ruler addressed Jesus as “good Teacher,” Jesus responded,
Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God (Matthew 19:17).
God the Father is the source and giver of these good blessings in Jesus Christ. This is the theme in these early verses of Ephesians: all good things originate with God the Father, and He gives them through Jesus Christ.
God the Father is the source of every good thing, and He bestows these blessings through Jesus Christ.
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