Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, through God’s will, unto the saints who are [in Ephesus] and faithful in Christ Jesus, —
This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to God's will, to the Christians in Ephesus and those who trust in Christ Jesus.
2 Favour unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed, be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, in the heavenlies, in Christ,
Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that's spiritually good in the heavenly world,
4 According as he made choice of us, in him, before the founding of a world, that we might be holy and blameless in his presence; in love,
just as he chose us to be in him before the beginning of this world, so that in love we could be holy and without fault before him.
5 marking us out beforehand unto sonship, through Jesus Christ, for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
He decided in advance to adopt us as his children, working through Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. He was happy to do this because this is what he wanted.
6 Unto the praise of the glory of his favour wherewith he favoured us in the Beloved One, —
So we praise him for his glorious grace that he so kindly gave us in his beloved Son.
7 In whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of our offences, according to the riches of his favour,
Through him we gain salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins as a result of his priceless grace
8 which he made to superabound towards us; in all wisdom and prudence,
that he so generously provided for us, together with all wisdom and understanding.
9 making known to us the sacred secret of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him, —
He revealed to us his previously-hidden will through which he was happy to pursue his plan
10 For an administration of the fulness of the seasons, to reunite for himself (under one head) the all things in the Christ, the things upon the heavens, and the things upon the earth, in him:
at the appropriate time to bring everyone together in Christ—those in heaven and those on the earth.
11 In whom also we were taken as an inheritance, according to the purpose of him who energiseth all things according to the counsel of his will,
In him—we were chosen beforehand, according to the plan of the one who is working everything out according to his will,
12 That we should be for the praise of his glory—we who had hoped beforehand in the Christ, —
for the purpose that we who were the first to hope in Christ could praise his glory.
13 In whom, ye also—hearing the word of the truth, the glad-message of your salvation, —in whom also believing, —were sealed with the Spirit of the promise, the Holy [Spirit],
In him—you too have heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation. In him—because you trusted in him you were stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit's promise,
14 Which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of the acquisition; —unto his glorious praise.
which is a down-payment on our inheritance when God redeems what he's kept safe for himself—us, who will praise and give him glory!
15 For this cause, I also, —having heard of the faith on your part in the Lord Jesus, and that towards all the saints,
That's the reason, because I've heard of your trust in the Lord Jesus and the love that you have for all Christians,
16 Cease not giving thanks in your behalf, making mention in my prayers,
why I never stop thanking God for you and remember you in my prayers.
17 That, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you a Spirit of wisdom and understanding in gaining a personal knowledge of him, —
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom to see and know him as he really is.
18 The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that ye may know—what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
May your minds be enlightened so you can understand the hope he's called you to— the glorious riches he promises as an inheritance to his holy people.
19 And what the surpassing greatness of his power unto us who believe, —according to the energy of the grasp of his might
May you also understand God's amazing power
20 which he energised in the Christ, when he raised him from among the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenlies,
that he demonstrated in raising Christ from the dead. God seated Christ at his right hand in heaven,
21 Over-above all principality, authority, and power, and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one, (aiōn g165)
far above any other ruler, authority, power, or lord, or any leader with all their titles—not only in this world, but also in the coming world too. (aiōn g165)
22 And did put, all things, in subjection beneath his feet. And gave him to be head over all things unto the assembly,
God has made everything subject to the authority of Christ, and has given him the responsibility as head over everything for the church,
23 Which, indeed, is his body, the fulness of him who, the all things in all, is for himself filling up.
which is his body, filled full and made complete by Christ, who fills and brings everything to completion.
