an examination of Ephesians 1:3-14 with focus on our spiritual blessings and their implications for Christian living

Abstract

In Apostle Paul’s letter in Ephesians, Soteriology and Ecclesiology among others are the vital doctrines. Ephesians 1:3-14 pericope details the spiritual blessings that come from God’s redemptive plan and work which is accomplished in Christ. Paul praises God for his sovereign will, good pleasure, and the richness of his grace. He uses the word εὐλογητὸς (blessed) in praising God who is worthy to be thanked for his doings and ascribe glory to him alone. Also, implications of the study for Christian living are considered. According to the researcher, Paul mentions in Ephesians 1:3-14 six spiritual blessings all of which are found in Christ. He instructs that believers in Christ have been chosen (v.4), predestined to a divine adoption (v.5), redeemed (v.7), received the mystery of God’s will (v.9), received an inheritance beforehand (v.11 & 12), and been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as eternal life’s security upon responding to God’s word (v.13 & 14). The exegetical method has been used to interpret the passage. God is described as active in the past, present and future where his loving purpose is seen in various ways. The grand plan of God for human salvation from the eternity past is revealed in this first chapter of Ephesians. The cosmic unity is enhanced through Christ who is the source of it. It is in him that the work on the Cross that brought us salvation was accomplished. It is because most people struggle to understand what spiritual blessings are that the writer purposed to research on it to bring some enlightenment. The relevance of this study to peoples' beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices and the church and community to help solve existing problems in the same regard, as well as its applications, are brought out.