ephesians-1:1-5-nasb

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

Thanksgiving for Blessings and Prayer for Wisdom1, 2. The salutation. I. In the Salutations to the Colossians and to Philemon, written at the same time, ’Timothy the brother’ is coupled with St. Paul. He is omitted here because of the general character of the letter. At Ephesus was omitted for the same reason (see Intro.). The Apostle takes the whole responsibility of instructing Christians at large respecting ’the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).2. This is the usual salutation in the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1

(1) By the will of God.—This phrase, used in 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1 (comp. the equivalent expression of 1 Timothy 1:1), appears to be St. Paul’s ordinary designation of the source of his apostolic mission and authority; used whenever there was nothing peculiar in the occasion of the Epistle, or the circumstances of the Church to which it was addressed. It may be contrasted, on the one hand, with the more formal enunciation of his commission,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1-23

[1.Introduction to the Epistle (Ephesians 1:1-23).(1) SALUTATION (Ephesians 1:1-2).(2) THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR—(a)The election of the whole Church before the world began, by the predestinating love of the Father, to holiness, grace, and glory (Ephesians 1:3-6);(b)this election depending on Redemption, in virtue of unity with Christ as the Head of all created Being (Ephesians 1:7-10);(c)and being manifested doubly, in the calling and faith, first of the Jewish, then of the Gentile Christians... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:2

(2) Grace be to you, and peace.—On this, St. Paul’s all but invariable salutation in every Epistle (found also in the Epistles of St. Peter, 2 John, and Apocalypse), see Note on Romans 1:7.(2 a.) In Ephesians 1:3-6, the first section of the Introduction, the Epistle ascends at once into “the heavenly places,” naturally catching therefrom the tone of adoration and thanksgiving. It dwells on the election of the children of God by His predestinating love—an election based on His will, designed for... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:3

(3) In Ephesians 1:15-23, this introductory chapter ends in a prayer for the enlightenment of the readers of this Epistle, that they may understand all the fulness of the blessings of the gospel. In accordance with the heavenward direction of the thought of the whole Epistle, these blessings are viewed in their future completeness of glory and power, of which the present exaltation of the risen Lord to the right hand of God, as the Lord of all creatures, and the Head of the Church His body, is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:4

(4) According as (i.e., inasmuch as) he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.—Again it should be, He chose us for Himself. The eternal election of God is inseparably connected with the blessing of the Spirit. This passage stands alone in St. Paul’s Epistles in its use of this word “chosen” in connection with God’s eternal purpose, “before the foundation of the world”—a phrase only applied elsewhere to the eternal communion of the Son with the Father (John 17:24), and to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:5

(5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.—The idea of Election depends on the union of the sense of actual difference between men, as to privilege and spiritual life, with the conviction of God’s universal sovereignty. Hence, in all cases, it leads back to the idea of Predestination, that is, of the conception of the divine purpose in the mind of God, before its realisation in actual fact. On the doctrine of predestination see Romans 9:0. It will... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ephesians 1:7 Forgiveness of sins lies at the very heart of the Christian religion. That title of our Lord which appeals most to the heart of mankind is the title which is His as Saviour. It is proclaimed in that fact which of all facts in history has most impressed itself upon the imagination of mankind, the Sacrifice of Christ. In the Apostles' Creed we say, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins'. It is a petition in that prayer which is the model of all prayer the Lord's Prayer, we pray,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

Chapter 1THE INTRODUCTIONTHE WRITER AND READERSEphesians 1:1-2In passing from the Galatian to the Ephesian epistle we are conscious of entering a different atmosphere. We leave the region of controversy for that of meditation. From the battle-field we step into the hush and stillness of the temple. Ephesians 1:3-14 of this chapter constitute the most sustained and perfect act of praise that is found in the apostle’s letters. It is as though a door were suddenly opened in heaven; it shuts behind... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-19

Chapter 2THE ETERNAL PURPOSEEphesians 1:3-19WE enter this epistle through magnificent gateway. The introductory Act of Praise, extending from verse 3 to 14, {Ephesians 1:3-14} is one of the most sublime of inspired utterances, an overture worthy of the composition that it introduces. Its first sentence compels us to feel the insufficiency of our powers for its due rendering.The apostle surveys in this thanksgiving the entire course of the revelation of grace. Standing with the men of his day,... read more

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:5

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 1:1-23

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-19

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