---
title: "Ephesians 1 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible"
description: "Read Ephesians 1 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be to you, and pea"
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/ephesians/1"
---

[ Read](/kjv/ephesians/1)[ Commentary](/study/ephesians/1)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/ephesians/1) Audio

 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

 2 Grace *be* to you, and peace, from God our Father, and *from* the Lord Jesus Christ.

 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:

 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:

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

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

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

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

 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; *even* in him:

 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

 13 In whom ye also *trusted*, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto 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 the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

 19 And what *is* the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set *him* at his own right hand in the heavenly *places*,

 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

 22 And hath put all *things* under his feet, and gave him *to be* the head over all *things* to the church,

 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
 
[Galatians 6](/study/galatians/6) [Ephesians 2](/study/ephesians/2)

## Commentary

 To verse 1
 
**Paul, an apostle; -**see the notes at [Romans 1:1](/kjv/romans/1/1). 

**By the will of God -**see the notes at [1 Corinthians 1:1](/kjv/1-corinthians/1/1). 

**To the saints -**A name often given to Christians because they are holy; see the notes at [1 Corinthians 1:2](/kjv/1-corinthians/1/2). 

**In Ephesus -**see the introduction, sections 1 and 5. 

**And to the faithful in Christ Jesus -**This evidently refers to others than to those who were in Ephesus, and it is clear that Paul expected that this Epistle would be read by others. He gives it a general character, as if he supposed that it might be transcribed, and become the property of the church at large. It was not uncommon for him thus to give a general character to the epistles which he addressed to particular churches, and so to write that others than those to whom they were particularly directed, might feel that they were addressed to them. Thus, the First Epistle to the Corinthians was addressed to “the church of God in Corinth - with all that in every place call upon the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Second Epistle to the Corinthians in like manner was addressed to “the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia.” Perhaps, in the Epistle before us, the apostle referred particularly to the churches of Asia Minor which he had not visited, but there is no reason for confining the address to them. 

All who are “faithful in Christ Jesus” may regard the Epistle as addressed by the Holy Spirit to them, and may feel that they are as much interested in the doctrines, promises, and duties set forth in this Epistle, as were the ancient Christians of Ephesus. The word “faithful” here is not used in the sense of “trustworthy,” or in the sense of “fidelity,” as it is often employed, but in the sense of “believing,” or “having faith” in the Lord Jesus. The apostle addresses those who were firm in the faith - another name for true Christians. The Epistle contains great doctrines about the divine purposes and decrees in which they, as Christians, were particularly concerned; important “mysteries” [Ephesians 1:9](/kjv/ephesians/1/9), of importance for them to understand, and which the apostle proceeds to communicate to them as such. The fact that the letter was designed to be published, shows that he was not unwilling that those high doctrines should be made known to the world at large; still they pertained particularly to the church, and they are doctrines which should be particularly addressed to the church. They are rather suited to comfort the hearts of “Christians,” than to bring “sinners” to repentance. These doctrines may be addressed to the church with more prospect of securing a happy effect than to the world. In the church they will excite gratitude, and produce the hope which results from assured promises and eternal purposes; in the minds of sinners they may arouse envy, and hatred, and opposition to God.

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