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

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

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fullness 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:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

15 Why I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far 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:

22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.

in Christ

The believer’s place as a member of the body of Christ, vitally united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit 1Co 12:12; 1Co 12:13.

in heavenly places

Literally, the heavenlies. The same Greek word is used in Joh 3:12 where "things" is added. In both places the word signifies that which is heavenly in contradistinction to that which is earthy. In Ephesians "places" is especially misleading. "The heavenlies" may be defined as the sphere of the believer’s spiritual experience as identified with Christ in nature. 2Pe 1:4, life,; Col 3:4; 1Jn 5:12, relationships; Joh 20:17; Heb 2:11 service,; Joh 17:18; Mat 28:20, suffering; Php 1:29; Php 3:10; Col 1:24 inheritance Rom 8:16; Rom 8:17 and future glory in the kingdom; Rom 8:18-21; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6; Rev 5:10. The believer is a heavenly man, and a stranger and pilgrim on the earth.; Heb 3:1; 1Pe 2:11.

predestinated

Predestination is that effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass. See Election,

(See Scofield " 1Pe 1:2")

Foreknowledge, (See Scofield " 1Pe 1:20")

adoption

Adoption (huiothesia, "placing as a son") is not so much a word of relationship as of position. The believer’s relation to God as a child results from the new birth Joh 1:12; Joh 1:13 whereas adoption is the act of God whereby one already a child is, through redemption from the law, placed in the position of an adult son. Gal 4:1-5.

The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this in the believer’s present experience Gal 4:6 but the full manifestation of the believer’s sonship awaits the resurrection, change, and translation of saints, which is called "the redemption of the body"; Rom 8:23; 1Th 4:14-17; Eph 1:14; 1Jn 3:2.

sins

Sin. (See Scofield " Rom 3:23").

grace Grace (in salvation). Eph 1:6; Eph 1:7; Eph 2:5; Eph 2:7; Eph 2:8; Rom 3:24. (See Scofield " Joh 1:17").

mystery

See, Rom 16:25; Rom 16:26; Eph 3:3. (See Scofield " Mat 13:11").

dispensation of the fullness of times

The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. This, the seventh and last of the ordered ages which condition human life on the earth, is identical with the kingdom covenanted to David. 2Sa 7:8-17; Zec 12:8

Summary;

Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:24, and gathers into itself under Christ all past "times":

(1) The time of oppression and misrule ends by Christ taking His kingdom. Isa 11:3; Isa 11:4.

(2) The time of testimony and divine forbearance ends in judgment. Mat 25:31-46; Act 17:30; Act 17:31; Rev 20:7-15.

(3) The time of toil ends in rest and reward. 2Th 1:6; 2Th 1:7.

(4) The time of suffering ends in glory. Rom 8:17; Rom 8:18.

(5) The time of Israel’s blindness and chastisement ends in restoration and conversion. Rom 11:25-27; Eze 39:25-29.

(6) The times of the Gentiles end in the smiting of the image and the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens. Dan 2:34; Dan 2:35; Rev 19:15-21.

(7) The time of creation’s thraldom ends in deliverance at the manifestation of the sons of God. Gen 3:17; Isa 11:6-8; Rom 8:19-21.

sealed

The Holy Spirit is Himself the seal. In the symbolism of Scripture a seal signifies:

(1) A finished transaction Jer 32:9; Jer 32:10; Joh 17:4; Joh 19:30.

(2) Ownership Jer 32:11; Jer 32:12; 2Ti 2:19

(3) Security Est 8:8; Dan 6:17; Eph 4:30