Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” This verse teaches us that God the Father has abundantly blessed believers in Christ with “every spiritual blessing” in the heavenly realm. But what exactly does this mean?
To understand what “every spiritual blessing” refers to, we first need to examine the context of Ephesians 1. The overriding theme of this chapter is God’s glorious plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. In verses 3-14, Paul offers an extended eulogy praising God for the spiritual benefits He has lavished on believers in Christ. These benefits include election, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, an inheritance, and sealing by the Holy Spirit.
When Paul says that God has blessed us with “every spiritual blessing” he is referring comprehensively to all the spiritual benefits that come with salvation in Christ. These blessings originate from heaven, where God dwells. They are “spiritual” in nature rather than physical or material blessings. And they encompass the full scope of blessings necessary for our salvation, sanctification, and glorification.
Now let’s explore in more detail seven key categories of spiritual blessings that Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 1:
1. Election
The first spiritual blessing mentioned is that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:4). This refers to the doctrine of election – that before time began, God predestined those who would be saved through faith in Christ. What a blessing to know that our salvation rests securely in God’s sovereign plan!
2. Adoption
The second blessing is that God has adopted us as His children through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5). Adoption speaks of the incredible privilege we have to be named as God’s own beloved children, with all the access, assurance, intimacy, and inheritance that come with being in His family.
3. Redemption
Thirdly, we have the blessing of redemption – God’s deliverance from slavery to sin through the forgiveness of our trespasses in Christ (Eph. 1:7). Because the penalty for our sins was paid for at the cross, we have been redeemed from the curse of sin and released from the guilt and power of our transgressions.
4. Revelation
A fourth spiritual blessing is the revelation of God’s will and mystery of His purpose to bring unity and redemption through Christ (Eph. 1:9). Whereas God’s redemptive plan was once hidden, it is now revealed through the gospel, giving us insight into God’s overarching purpose in all of history.
5. Inheritance
Fifthly, we have the promised blessing of an eternal inheritance (Eph. 1:11, 18). This relates to the amazing privilege of being named as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Our future is secure because we will share in the heavenly inheritance belonging to God’s own Son.
6. Sealing by the Spirit
The sixth spiritual blessing is that believers have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit as a pledge and guarantee of our future redemption (Eph. 1:13-14). The Spirit’s inward presence certifies that we belong to Christ and acts as a deposit to assure that God will finish the work He began.
7. Power
Finally, Paul prays that believers would understand the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward us (Eph. 1:19). The same divine power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us to bring about our full salvation.
In summary, the “every spiritual blessing” of Ephesians 1:3 refers comprehensively to all the benefits and privileges of salvation that believers in Christ have been lavished with by God’s grace. These include election, adoption, redemption, revelation, an inheritance, the Holy Spirit, and God’s indwelling power.
Why does God bless us so abundantly in Christ? Paul explains in Ephesians 1:3-6 that these spiritual blessings are according to the riches of God’s grace, for the praise of His glory. Every blessing finds its origin in the infinite grace of God and is intended to magnify His glory.
As redeemed people, the only proper response is to live our lives in continual awe, wonder, gratitude, and praise for the exceedingly abundant spiritual blessings we have in union with Christ. These blessings are so vast that we will be spending all eternity exploring their depths!
Key Points
- Every spiritual blessing refers comprehensively to all the benefits and privileges of salvation believers have in Christ.
- These blessings originate from heaven where God dwells and are spiritual rather than physical in nature.
- They include election, adoption, redemption, revelation, an inheritance, the Spirit, and God’s power.
- The blessings flow from the riches of God’s grace and are intended to magnify His glory.
- We should respond in continual awe, wonder, gratitude, and praise for these lavish spiritual blessings.
1. Election as a Spiritual Blessing
The first spiritual blessing that Paul highlights is election. Ephesians 1:4 says, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” What an astounding blessing!
The doctrine of election teaches that before creation, God predestined those who would be saved through faith in Christ. Salvation ultimately finds its origin in God’s sovereign choice. John 15:16 declares, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Acts 13:48 states, “And as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.”
Election is a spiritual blessing because it provides incredible assurance of our salvation. Our faith and perseverance do not ultimately depend on our own strength, but on God who chooses us and empowers us by His grace. He chose us and set His affection on us, not because of any goodness in us, but simply out of His sovereign love and for His glory.
This blessing of election gives comfort and boldness. No one can snatch us from the Father’s hand (John 10:28-29). There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Rom. 8:1). God will complete the work He began (Phil 1:6). Our salvation is secure because even before time began, God sovereignly chose and predestined those who would be saved through faith in Jesus.
2. Adoption as a Spiritual Blessing
A second incredible spiritual blessing that Paul emphasizes is adoption as God’s children. Ephesians 1:5 says, “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.”
Adoption speaks to the remarkable privilege believers have to be named as God’s own sons and daughters, with all the access, assurance, intimacy, and inheritance that come with being in His family. While God is Creator of all people, only those who trust in Christ are adopted as His children.
John 1:12 beautifully declares this truth: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Romans 8 reiterates, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Rom. 8:14-15).
The blessing of adoption reminds believers that we belong to God’s family. We relate to Him as an intimate Father. We have been granted legal rights and privileges as heirs of His kingdom. Adoption also signifies that the lonely orphaned life is behind us; our Father will never leave us.
This spiritual blessing should elicit profound gratitude and joy. Though once estranged, we have been brought near as beloved children of God. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are!” (1 John 3:1).
3. Redemption as a Spiritual Blessing
A third magnificent spiritual blessing emphasized in Ephesians 1 is redemption through the forgiveness of sins. Verses 7-8 declare, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…lavished upon us.”
Redemption refers to God’s deliverance from slavery to sin through the payment of a ransom. Jesus’ sacrificial death provided the atoning blood “ransom” that frees us from the guilt, power, and penalty of sin.
Colossians 1:13-14 explains, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” We were once enslaved to darkness, but now we have been redeemed!
This spiritual blessing brings inexpressible joy, comfort, and freedom. The chains of sin and guilt have been broken. We are liberated to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4-7). God remembers our sins no more (Heb. 10:17). We can approach God with sincere hearts, cleansed consciences, and assurance of forgiveness (Heb. 10:19-22).
Redemption celebrates the expulsive power of God’s astonishing grace at work within us. As John Newton proclaimed in Amazing Grace, “My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose went forth and followed thee.” What an infinite spiritual blessing!
4. Revelation as a Spiritual Blessing
Paul also emphasizes the spiritual blessing of having God’s once hidden redemptive plan revealed to us through the gospel. Ephesians 1:9 states that God “made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.”
For generations, God’s elaborate plan to unite both Jews and Gentiles under Christ was largely concealed. But now, Paul celebrates that this magnificent mystery has been marvelously unveiled to God’s people. We have the blessing of comprehending the magnificent sweep of God’s redemptive purpose in history.
Colossians 1:26-27 explains that this mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” The revealed mystery is of an indwelling Savior whose living presence brings hope.
While we cannot plumb the full depths of God’s hidden decrees, the revelation of the gospel grants precious insight into God’s glorious purpose in all things. We can see how all of history culminates in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. This spiritual blessing enables us to perceive the beauty of God’s plan as it unfolds.
5. Inheritance as a Spiritual Blessing
A fifth spiritual blessing that Paul emphasizes is the promised inheritance believers have in Christ. Ephesians 1:11 states that “in Christ we have obtained an inheritance.” Verse 14 reiterates that the Holy Spirit “is the guarantee of our inheritance.”
This inheritance is elaborated on more fully in Ephesians 1:18 – “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Positionally, believers have already obtained an inconceivably precious inheritance in Christ. We are named as co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Our inheritance includes heavenly treasures that we cannot yet even imagine!
1 Peter 1:3-5 explains that we have been born again “into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” This glorious estate will never perish, spoil, or fade. Our eternal spiritual blessings far surpass anything this fallen world has to offer.
The promised inheritance assures believers that our future is gloriously secure in Christ. We are destined to share in the very riches of heaven itself. This hope fills us with inexpressible joy and provides motivation to live holy lives, knowing that our eternal reward is certain (Col. 3:23-24).
6. Sealing by the Spirit as a Spiritual Blessing
A sixth blessing emphasized in Ephesians 1 is the sealing and guarantee believers have by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Verses 13-14 state, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.”
This blessing provides incredible assurance. The Spirit’s inward presence marks believers as those who irrevocably belong to Christ and enjoy sonship in God’s family. Ephesians 4:30 implores, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The sealing guarantees our future redemption.
The Holy Spirit also functions as a pledge or first installment of the glorious inheritance that awaits us (2 Cor. 1:22). His presence is a foretaste of the eternal blessings to come, including glorified resurrection bodies and full sanctification from sin.
What comfort it brings to know that the Spirit indwells us as God’s seal and guarantee! He is the firstfruits of all the spiritual blessings that will be ours in their fullness for endless ages to come. We are assured that God will finish what He started.
7. Power as a Spiritual Blessing
A final spiritual blessing highlighted in Ephesians 1 is the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward believers. In verses 19-20, Paul prays “that you may know…what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead.”
The incredible power that raised Jesus from the grave is the very same power at work in every believer! (Eph. 3:20). This resurrection power enables us to walk in newness of life, obey God’s commands, and progressively experience victory over sin.
Believers have access to the omnipotent strength of God Himself. We are not left to our own puny resources. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The indwelling Spirit supplies the spiritual power needed to fulfill our calling. What an incredible blessing!
This spiritual blessing reminds us that the Christian life is not lived by might or by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech. 4:6). Our gracious God offers divine enablement as we rely on Him.
The Blessings Demonstrate God’s Grace and Glory
Why has God so extravagantly blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies? Ephesians 1:3-6 provides the answer. He predestined us “to the praise of his glorious grace.” All the blessings have their origin in the grace of God and are meant to magnify His glory.
We contributed nothing to earn these spiritual benefits. They flow freely from God’s infinite grace. They are intended to magnify His praiseworthy character. Our response should be similar to that of the apostle Paul – bursting with thanksgiving, doxology, and worship for the God who blesses us so abundantly (Eph. 1:3-14).
Charles Spurgeon proclaimed, “You may range up and down the Bible, but you will find it impossible to discover another list of such spiritual privileges as are here recounted…Paul is here describing a rare and celestial fruit from the Tree of Life, conveying to the saints blessings of the most wonderful kind.”
Indeed, the spiritual blessings given in Christ are so vast and multidimensional that we will spend an eternity plumbing their depths and responding in worship. Our gracious God has blessed us far beyond all we could ask or imagine, according to the riches of His glorious grace. To Him alone be all praise, honor, and glory!
Conclusion
Ephesians 1:3 provides an awe-inspiring glimpse into the lavish spiritual blessings believers enjoy in union with Christ. God the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. These blessings flow freely from God’s grace and are intended for His glory.
The spiritual blessings outlined in Ephesians 1 include election, adoption, redemption, revelation, an inheritance, the Holy Spirit, and God’s mighty power. Together, they encompass the full scope of benefits necessary for our salvation, sanctification, and glorification.
As redeemed people, may we respond in never-ending wonder, gratitude, worship, and obedience for the exceedingly abundant spiritual riches that are ours in Christ Jesus! By God’s grace, the best is yet to come.
