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Ephesians 1-3
American Standard Version

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are [a]at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be [b]the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before [c]him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, [d]which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 [e]which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him 10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the [f]times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things [g]in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, 11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who [h]had before hoped in Christ: 13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the [i]gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is [j]among you, and [k]the love which ye show toward all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this [l]world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

2 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, 2 wherein ye once walked according to the [m]course of this world, according to the prince of the [n]powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the [o]mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:— 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together [p]with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; 12 that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; 16 and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 and he came and [q]preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: 18 for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. 19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom [r]each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy [s]temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together [t]for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,— 2 if so be that ye have heard of the [u]dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; 3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the [v]gospel, 7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to [w]preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to [x]make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; 10 to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the [y]eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through [z]our faith in him. 13 Wherefore I ask that [aa]ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which [ab]are your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every [ac]family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto [ad]all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some very ancient authorities omit at Ephesus.
  2. Ephesians 1:3 Or, God and the Father. See Rom. 15:6 margin.
  3. Ephesians 1:4 Or, him: having in love foreordained us
  4. Ephesians 1:6 Or, wherewith he endued us
  5. Ephesians 1:8 Or, wherewith he abounded
  6. Ephesians 1:10 Greek seasons.
  7. Ephesians 1:10 Greek upon.
  8. Ephesians 1:12 Or, have
  9. Ephesians 1:13 Greek good tidings. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
  10. Ephesians 1:15 Or, in
  11. Ephesians 1:15 Many ancient authorities omit the love.
  12. Ephesians 1:21 Or, age
  13. Ephesians 2:2 Greek age.
  14. Ephesians 2:2 Greek power.
  15. Ephesians 2:3 Greek thoughts.
  16. Ephesians 2:5 Some ancient authorities read in Christ.
  17. Ephesians 2:17 Greek brought good tidings of peace. Compare Mt. 11:5.
  18. Ephesians 2:21 Greek every building.
  19. Ephesians 2:21 Or, sanctuary
  20. Ephesians 2:22 Greek into.
  21. Ephesians 3:2 Or, stewardship
  22. Ephesians 3:6 Greek good tidings. See Mt. 4:23 margin.
  23. Ephesians 3:8 Greek bring good tidings of the etc. Compare 2:17.
  24. Ephesians 3:9 Some ancient authorities read bring to light what is.
  25. Ephesians 3:11 Greek purpose of the ages.
  26. Ephesians 3:12 Or, the faith of him
  27. Ephesians 3:13 Or, I
  28. Ephesians 3:13 Or, is
  29. Ephesians 3:15 Greek fatherhood.
  30. Ephesians 3:21 Greek all the generations of the age of the ages.
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Ephesians 1-3
New International Version

1 Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B)

To God’s holy people(C) in Ephesus,[a](D) the faithful(E) in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us(I) in him before the creation of the world(J) to be holy and blameless(K) in his sight. In love(L) 5 he[b] predestined(M) us for adoption to sonship[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(O) and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace,(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Q) 7 In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(V) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.(X)

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(Z) of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.(AA) 13 And you also were included in Christ(AB) when you heard the message of truth,(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,(AE) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(AF) until the redemption(AG) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(AH)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(AI) and your love for all God’s people,(AJ) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(AK) remembering you in my prayers.(AL) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(AM) may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(AP) you, the riches(AQ) of his glorious inheritance(AR) in his holy people,(AS) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(AT) is the same as the mighty strength(AU) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(AV) and seated him at his right hand(AW) in the heavenly realms,(AX) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(AY) and every name(AZ) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(BA) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(BB) and appointed him to be head(BC) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(BD) the fullness of him(BE) who fills everything in every way.(BF)

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,(BG) 2 in which you used to live(BH) when you followed the ways of this world(BI) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,(BJ) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.(BK) 3 All of us also lived among them at one time,(BL) gratifying the cravings of our flesh[g](BM) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us,(BN) God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(BO)—it is by grace you have been saved.(BP) 6 And God raised us up with Christ(BQ) and seated us with him(BR) in the heavenly realms(BS) in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(BT) expressed in his kindness(BU) to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace(BV) you have been saved,(BW) through faith(BX)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works,(BY) so that no one can boast.(BZ) 10 For we are God’s handiwork,(CA) created(CB) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(CC) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly(CD) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(CE)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(CF) to the covenants of the promise,(CG) without hope(CH) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(CI) were far away have been brought near(CJ) by the blood of Christ.(CK)

14 For he himself is our peace,(CL) who has made the two groups one(CM) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(CN) the law with its commands and regulations.(CO) His purpose was to create in himself one(CP) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(CQ) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(CR) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(CS) 18 For through him we both have access(CT) to the Father(CU) by one Spirit.(CV)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(CW) but fellow citizens(CX) with God’s people and also members of his household,(CY) 20 built(CZ) on the foundation(DA) of the apostles and prophets,(DB) with Christ Jesus himself(DC) as the chief cornerstone.(DD) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(DE) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(DF)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(DG) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(DH) for you, 3 that is, the mystery(DI) made known to me by revelation,(DJ) as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(DK) into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(DL) 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(DM) together with Israel, members together of one body,(DN) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(DO)

7 I became a servant of this gospel(DP) by the gift of God’s grace given me(DQ) through the working of his power.(DR) 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(DS) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(DT) the boundless riches of Christ,(DU) 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(DV) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(DW) should be made known(DX) to the rulers and authorities(DY) in the heavenly realms,(DZ) 11 according to his eternal purpose(EA) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(EB) with freedom and confidence.(EC) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(ED) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[h] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(EE) he may strengthen you with power(EF) through his Spirit in your inner being,(EG) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(EH) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(EI) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(EJ) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(EK) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(EL)—that you may be filled(EM) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(EN)

20 Now to him who is able(EO) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(EP) or imagine, according to his power(EQ) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(ER)

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
  3. Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
  4. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
  5. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
  6. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
  7. Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
  8. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
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