Three Profound Reasons to Bless God – Ephesians 1:3-10
1 (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ, (4) since he chose us in him before the creation of the world in order for us to be holy and blameless in his presence. In love (5) he predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, by his own will and desire, (6) for the praise of the glory of his grace. This grace he freely bestowed upon us in the Beloved, (7) by whom we have redemption through his blood, namely, the forgiveness of our transgressions. By the riches of his grace, (8) which he lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding, (9) he has made known to us the mystery of his will, that originates from his own desire and that he determined by himself. (10) This mystery pertains to the final dispensation,* namely, his determination to unite all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth.
*The Greek text literally reads: “a dispensation of the fullness (or, fulfillment) of the times.” What is being spoken of is a dispensation (i.e.; an ordering or arranging of all things) that goes into effect at the time when all the periods of time have been fulfilled; thus, it is the final dispensation of all things.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
