Ephesians 1:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul opens his letter with praise, because God has already poured every blessing of heaven onto us in Christ.
The Context of Ephesians 1:3
The opening line of Paul's letter to the believers at Ephesus, written from prison. In the Greek this verse begins one long, unbroken sentence of praise that runs all the way to verse 14, a single overflowing breath of thanksgiving.
What Does Ephesians 1:3 Mean?
Paul cannot start with a request, because he is too full of what God has done. He blesses the God who has blessed us, and the word for blessing returns three times in one line, as if praise keeps circling back on itself. The gifts he names are spiritual, the riches of heaven itself, and they are already ours. He says God hath blessed us, the work already done and complete in the past, with no far-off day still to wait for.
Every one of these blessings comes to us in one place: in Christ. He is the room where the riches are kept, and to be joined to Him is to stand inside all of it. The same Jesus who came down to us lifts us into the heavenly places, so that what is His becomes ours. Before we have prayed a single prayer, the Father has already opened His hand.
Ephesians 1:3 in the Original Language
eulogetos (εὐλογητός), 'blessed' -- worthy of praise, spoken well of; the word we lift up to God, rooted in the same term for the blessings He pours on us.
How to Apply Ephesians 1:3 Today
When we feel spiritually empty, this verse tells us the truth is the opposite: in Christ we have already been given everything heaven holds. We can begin our prayers the way Paul did, blessing the God who has already blessed us before we bring Him any request.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 1:3
What does Ephesians 1:3 mean?
Paul opens his letter with praise, because God has already poured every blessing of heaven onto us in Christ.
What is the context of Ephesians 1:3?
The opening line of Paul's letter to the believers at Ephesus, written from prison. In the Greek this verse begins one long, unbroken sentence of praise that runs all the way to verse 14, a single overflowing breath of thanksgiving.
How can I apply Ephesians 1:3 today?
When we feel spiritually empty, this verse tells us the truth is the opposite: in Christ we have already been given everything heaven holds. We can begin our prayers the way Paul did, blessing the God who has already blessed us before we bring Him any request.