Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Ephesians 1

Eph 1:1 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:

the will of God

Act 9:15; Gal 1:1, 15.

Ephesus

Act 19:1; 20:17-38.

faithful

Rev 2:11.

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 12:12-13).

Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be to you, and peace

Rom 1:7; 1Ti 1:2.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

Eph 1:17; 1Pe 1:3.

all spiritual blessings

Rom 8:29-32; 1Co 3:21-23; Col 1:12-13.

in heavenly places

Eph 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12.

Literally, the heavenlies. The same Greek word is used in John 3:12, where "things" is added. In both places the word signifies that which is heavenly in contradistinction to that which is earthly. 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; 1Jo 5:12);
• relationships (Jhn 20:17; Heb 2:11);
• service (Jhn 17:18; Mat 28:20);
• suffering (Phl 1:29; 3:10; Col 1:24);
• inheritance (Rom 8:16-17);
• and future glory in the kingdom (Rom 8:18-21; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6; 5:10).

The believer is a heavenly man, and a stranger and pilgrim on the earth (Heb 3:1; 1Pe 2:11).

Eph 1:4 According 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:

chosen

Election (corporate). Col 3:12. (Genesis 1:1; Malachi 3:18).

world

i.e. earth.

holy

Sanctify, holy (persons) (N.T.). Eph 2:21. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

predestinated

Predestination is that effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass. See Election, Scofield 1 Peter 1:2, note; Foreknowledge, Scofield 1 Peter 1:20, note.

adoption

Adoption. (Rom 8:15, 23.)

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 (Jhn 1:12-13), 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; 1Jhn 3:2).

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

redemption through his blood

Sacrifice (of Christ). Col 1:14, 20. (Gen 4:4; Heb 10:18.)

sins

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

grace

Grace (in salvation). Eph 1:6-7; 2:5, 7-8. (Rom 3:24; Jhn 1:16, note.)

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

mystery

Rom 16:25-26; Eph 3:3; Scofield Matthew 13:11, note.

Eph 1:10 That 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:

the dispensation of the fulness 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 (Scofield 2Sa 7:8-17; Zec 12:8 Summary; Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:24, Summary), and gathers into itself under Christ all past "times":

1. The time of oppression and misrule ends by Christ taking His kingdom (Isa 11:3-4).
2. The time of testimony and divine forbearance ends in judgment (Mat 25:31-46; Act 17:30-31; Rev 20:7-15).
3. The time of toil ends in rest and reward (2Th 1:6-7).
4. The time of suffering ends in glory (Rom 8:17-18).
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 2:34-35; 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).

Eph 1:11 In 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:

predestinated

Predestination. Eph 1:5, 11. (Act 4:28; Eph 1:11.)

the counsel of his own will

Isa 40:14; 46:10; Dan 4:35.

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

praise of his glory

Eph 1:6, 14; 3:21.

trusted

hoped.

Eph 1:13 In 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,

gospel

Gospel. Eph 3:1-10. (Gen 12:1-3; Rev 14:6.)

after that ye believed

having believed.

ye were sealed

Assurance. Eph 4:30. (Isa 32:17; Jde 1:1.)

sealed

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

1. A finished transaction (Jer 32:9-10; Jhn 17:4; 19:30).
2. Ownership (Jer 32:11-12; 2Ti 2:19).
3. Security (Est 8:8; Dan 6:17; Eph 4:30).

holy Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Eph 1:13, 17; 2:18, 22. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Eph 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

prayers

Bible prayers (N.T.). Eph 3:14-21. (Mat 6:9; Rev 22:20.)

Eph 1:21 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:

world

i.e. age.

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

put all things under his feet

Psa 8:6; 110:1; 1Co 15:27; Heb 2:8.

Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

his body

Church (the true). Eph 1:2, 23; 2:19-22. (Mat 16:18; Heb 12:23.)

the fulness of him

Or, complement. Gen 2:18; Eph 5:28-30, 32.