Ephesians 1:3-8

Spiritual Blessings.

Ephesians 1:3-8 (King James Version)

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:

Blessed be the God___(we should ever bless the Lord for what He as done for us) and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ___(God is the Father of Christ, as Christ is seen in His humanity), who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings___(every benefit of the Atonement) in heavenly places in Christ___(the Divine Blessing has its ground and reason in Christ; it is ours by reason of our being "IN HIM," which was bought about by the Cross);

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:

According as he has chosen us in him___(does not refers to the person being chosen, but rather the purpose for which the person is chosen) before the foundation of the world___(the Creator, in laying His Plans for the world, had the purpose of Redeeming Grace in view), that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in Love___(presents the purpose of the "CHOSEN");

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

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children___(does not refers to the individual being predestinated as to whether he will be saved or lost, but rather the manner in which one becomes a Child of God) by Jesus Christ to Himself___(by means of the Cross), according to the good pleasure of His Will___(it is an act of sovereignty, but an act based on love),

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

To the praise of the glory of His Grace___(the ultimate reason), wherein he has made us accepted___(made possible by the Cross) in the beloved___(in Christ).

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

In whom___(in Christ) we have redemption through his blood___(the outpoured Blood of the Son of God at the Cross is the price for Redemption), the forgiveness of sins___(a remission of their penalty), according to the riches of His Grace___(the riches of that Grace gave us the Cross);

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

Wherein he hath abounded toward us___(refers to God' manifested toward in us super abundance, again made possible by the Cross) in all wisdom___(insight) and prudence___(to solve the problems of each moment of time); to complete the poster read verses 9-14 God bless love you all.

Posted by Larry Swartz. The Church of God(Charleston, TN).