Ephesians 1

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul blesses "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ": he "hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world," predestinated us "unto the adoption of children," and in Christ "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins." Those who believed were "sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance." Paul prays that they may receive "the spirit of wisdom and revelation" and know "the hope of his calling" and the power God showed when "he raised him from the dead," setting Christ "head over all things to the church, Which is his body." Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians 1:5 Ephesians 1:7 Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 1:14 Ephesians 1:17 Ephesians 1:18 Ephesians 1:19 Ephesians 1:20 Ephesians 1:22 Ephesians 1:23

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul, "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God," writing "to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 1:1 Ephesians overview

Where

Addressed to the saints at Ephesus. Paul writes as a prisoner, traditionally from Rome. Ephesians 1:1 Ephesus Ephesians overview

When

Traditionally about AD 60-62, during Paul's imprisonment, near the time of Colossians and Philemon. Many scholars think a follower wrote it in Paul's name about AD 80-90; others hold that Paul wrote it from prison. Ephesians overview

How it fits

This chapter opens the letter with praise and prayer for the readers. Chapter 2 continues with what God has done for them: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:16 Ephesians 2:1 Ephesians overview

Key verses

Verse 4
"He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." 2 Timothy 1:9 speaks of grace "given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." Ephesians 1:4 2 Timothy 1:9
Verse 7
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7
Verse 13
"Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance." 2 Corinthians 1:22 says God "hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 1:14 2 Corinthians 1:22

Takeaway

In Christ God has given you every spiritual blessing, so ask Him for wisdom to know the hope of His calling and the greatness of His power toward you. Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:17 Ephesians 1:18 Ephesians 1:19

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-31.

Greeting

¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ²Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every spiritual blessing in Christ

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: ⁴According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ⁷In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ⁸Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ¹¹In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ¹²That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. ¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Prayer for wisdom and knowledge

¹⁵Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ¹⁶Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.