Side by side

Ephesians 1

Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.

Section 1: Grace and PeaceVerses 1 to 2

Section by Section

Paul writes to "the saints in Ephesus" (1:1). Saints means God's holy people, all believers.

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:2).

Modern

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Section 2: Every Spiritual BlessingVerses 3 to 6

Section by Section

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms" (1:3).

God chose his people "before the foundation of the world" (1:4). Before anything existed, God had his people in mind.

"In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ" (1:4-5).

It's all "to the praise of His glorious grace" (1:6).

Modern

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

Section 3: Forgiveness and a PlanVerses 7 to 10

Section by Section

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" (1:7).

Redemption means being bought back and set free.

God lavished his grace on us. To lavish means to pour out generously.

God's big plan: "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ" (1:10).

Modern

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

Section 4: Sealed With the SpiritVerses 11 to 14

Section by Section

When they heard the gospel and believed, "you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (1:13).

A seal marked something as belonging to its owner.

The Spirit is "the pledge of our inheritance" (1:14). A pledge is a first payment that guarantees the rest is coming.

Modern

11In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

Section 5: The Eyes of Your HeartVerses 15 to 23

Section by Section

Paul thanks God for them and keeps praying for them.

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling" (1:18).

He wants them to know God's great power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at God's right hand.

Jesus is above every power and every name, now and forever.

God made him "head over everything for the church, which is His body" (1:22-23).

Modern

15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. 18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.