Ephesians 1:3

Context

Ephesians is traditionally attributed to Paul, though some modern scholars hold that one of his disciples wrote it in his name. This verse opens the passage of praise that immediately follows the greeting (1:1-2). In the Greek text, 1:3-14 forms a single long sentence. The passage is commonly described as following the form of Jewish prayers that bless God.

The verses that follow celebrate, in order:

• the Father's election (vv. 4-6)
• the Son's redemption (vv. 7-12)
• the Holy Spirit's sealing (vv. 13-14)

Verse 3 thus serves as a summary of this entire Trinitarian hymn of praise. The same opening phrase also appears in 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3.

Interpretation

In the Greek, "blessed," "hath blessed," and "blessings" are three words from the same root, repeated in close succession. The structure conveys that people bless God because God first blessed them. The verb rendered "hath blessed" is in a form denoting an action already accomplished.

• "Heavenly places": The Greek expression means literally "in the heavenly places." In the New Testament it occurs only in Ephesians, where it appears five times (1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12). Many commentators understand it as the realm where the exalted Christ dwells. They read it as expressing a tension: believers, united with Christ, already enjoy these blessings while still awaiting their consummation. Because in 6:12 the phrase also refers to the realm in which evil spirits are active, interpreters generally hold that it does not simply mean heaven after death.
• "Spiritual blessings": The Greek word translated "spiritual" can be rendered either "spiritual" or "of the Holy Spirit." Some interpreters therefore connect it with the sealing of the Spirit in verses 13-14 and read it as referring to blessings the Spirit bestows.
• Reformed reading: The Reformed tradition, including Presbyterians, reads the verse together with verses 4-5 and locates the source of these blessings in God's election before the foundation of the world. It treats this passage as a principal proof text for the doctrine of predestination.
• Wesleyan and Arminian reading: The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, and Arminianism emphasize the phrase "in Christ." They tend to understand election as pertaining to the community that is in Christ and to read the verse as teaching that those who have come into Christ through faith enjoy these blessings.

Questions of Application

In the Korean church, "blessing" is one of the central themes of preaching and prayer, so this verse is often raised in discussions of the nature of blessing.

Critics of prosperity theology stress that the blessings this verse describes are "spiritual" blessings "in heavenly places" and that they have already been given. On this basis they caution against an understanding of blessing centered on material prosperity.

The Full Gospel movement and related groups, which on the basis of 3 John 1:2 have spoken of blessing for the soul, in all things, and in health together, take a different view. They regard spiritual blessing as foundational but hold that it does not exclude blessing in other areas of life.

Related Passages

• Ephesians 1:11
• Ephesians 2:6
• 2 Corinthians 1:3
• Galatians 3:14