Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to God's will, to the Christians in Ephesus and those who trust in Christ Jesus.
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 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,
Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that's spiritually good in the heavenly world,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love,
just as he chose us to be in him before the beginning of this world, so that in love we could be holy and without fault before him.
5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
He decided in advance to adopt us as his children, working through Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. He was happy to do this because this is what he wanted.
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved.
So we praise him for his glorious grace that he so kindly gave us in his beloved Son.
7 In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
Through him we gain salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins as a result of his priceless grace
8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
that he so generously provided for us, together with all wisdom and understanding.
9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
He revealed to us his previously-hidden will through which he was happy to pursue his plan
10 to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him.
at the appropriate time to bring everyone together in Christ—those in heaven and those on the earth.
11 We were also assigned an inheritance in him, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who does all things after the counsel of his will,
In him—we were chosen beforehand, according to the plan of the one who is working everything out according to his will,
12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ.
for the purpose that we who were the first to hope in Christ could praise his glory.
13 In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
In him—you too have heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation. In him—because you trusted in him you were stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit's promise,
14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
which is a down-payment on our inheritance when God redeems what he's kept safe for himself—us, who will praise and give him glory!
15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and the love which you have toward all the saints,
That's the reason, because I've heard of your trust in the Lord Jesus and the love that you have for all Christians,
16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
why I never stop thanking God for you and remember you in my prayers.
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom to see and know him as he really is.
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
May your minds be enlightened so you can understand the hope he's called you to— the glorious riches he promises as an inheritance to his holy people.
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might
May you also understand God's amazing power
20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
that he demonstrated in raising Christ from the dead. God seated Christ at his right hand in heaven,
21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. (aiōn g165)
far above any other ruler, authority, power, or lord, or any leader with all their titles—not only in this world, but also in the coming world too. (aiōn g165)
22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,
God has made everything subject to the authority of Christ, and has given him the responsibility as head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
which is his body, filled full and made complete by Christ, who fills and brings everything to completion.
