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

Q--What do the terms grace and peace mean to you?

Comment on Verse 2

Here in this verse Paul lists two things, grace and peace, that are blessings for all believers. It seems Paul is speaking of the grace of God’s mercy, and the peace of Jesus’ redemption.

Martin, and others, think that the phrase, grace and peace, is a unique Christian combination of the Greek charis grace, and the Hebrew shalom peace. Paul combines the standard Jewish and Gentile greetings into a singular greeting for believers. In this verse Paul reveals how we get this grace and peace. It doesn’t come from our good works or from any effort on our part. It has nothing to do with us at all except that we receive it. This verse shows us that grace and peace come "from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." It is God’s mercy toward us that brings us his undeserved favor: his grace and his peace.

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:

Jesus Christ has given us all spiritual blessings

Q--What spiritual blessings do you feel that you have received from God?

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:

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

Q--Do you think we are predestined to serve God?

We have been chosen by God

Comment on verses 4-5

Verse 4 tells us we have been chosen and verse 5 tells us we are predestined. The Greek word used here for predestine is proori,sajpro-orisas which means fore-ordained or determined beforehand. Vine refers to this verse when he writes, "God’s ‘foreknowledge’ involves His electing grace, but this does not preclude human will. He ‘foreknows’ the exercise of faith which brings salvation." Even though we participate in God’s plan by choosing to serve him, it’s comforting to know that he has selected us. He has chosen us; he wants us to be part of his heavenly family.

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath 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;

Q--In verse 7, What 3 things have we received from God?

3 gifts from God
     1. redemption through his blood
     2. forgiveness of sins
     3. riches of his grace

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

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

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:

Q--What mystery do you think Paul is talking about?

The mystery — he brings all believers of all nations into his family

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:

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

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,

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

Q--What are the steps toward salvation given in verse 13?

Steps in salvation
     1. hear the word of truth
     2. believe in Christ
     3. sealed by the Holy Spirit

Comment on Verse 13

This verse tells us we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Do you ever feel far from God and wonder if he cares about you? Do you sometimes feel so discouraged that you think your prayers aren’t getting through to heaven? This verse tells us that after we make a commitment to Christ we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. You have been sealed into God’s family. This means that God is ever present with you, and the Holy Spirit is always there to help you through difficulties. We never need to feel abandoned by God. We walk by faith, not by feelings. So let’s not forget Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) "...God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Footnotes:

These study notes on Epesians 1:1-14 © 1997 by David Humpal. All Rights Reserved.

All scirptures unless otherwise noted are from the King James Version.

Questions based on both the King James Version and the New International Version

Vine: An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words pg. 249 © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers