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Showing posts from October, 2022

Ephesians 1:3–4 - God’s Gracious Choosing

Introduction Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a letter of great importance for the Christian faith. Its rich theology places emphasis on the role of Christ in our redemption. Specifically, Paul’s focus is a believer’s union with Christ in his death, resurrection, exaltation, and enthronement (1:2–23; 2:5–6). [1] It is in Christ that a believer receives all the spiritual blessings from God. And ultimately, God’s plan in Christ is “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (1:10). Verses 3 and 4 will be the focus of this essay, asking and answering some key questions generated from examining the text, with support from the Christian Tradition in understanding these passages. First, let’s read the text: Ephesians 1:3–4 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him . Before