Paul begins the letter to the Ephesians by grounding his message in the will and authority of God, as an emissary of Yeshua Messiah. From the opening blessing, he establishes that every aspect of salvation- identity, redemption, inheritance and purpose all flow from the Father’s eternal plan being fulfilled in Messiah.
1 Paul, an emissary of Messiah Yeshua by the will of God-
To the holy ones in Ephesos and faithful in Messiah Yeshua:
2 Grace to you and shalom, from God our Father and Adonay Yeshua the Messiah!
3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Adonay Yeshua Messiah, the One having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms by [way of] Messiah!
4 According to the manner in which He elected us in Him before the conception of the world to be ourselves holy and blameless before Him by love-
5 Having predestined us for divine adoption as sons through Messiah Yeshua, unto Himself according to the good intentions of His will
6 Unto the praise of the glory of His grace, which He has freely given us by [way of] the Beloved One
7 in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace
8 which He abounded unto us in all insight and wisdom.
9 Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good intentions which He pre-determined in Himself
The Greek word used here is auto, which could have two meanings: “Himself” (God) or “Him” (Messiah)-
Many translations take it as “in Him” (Messiah). But structurally, because the nearest antecedent is God’s own pre-determination/ purpose, it can also say which He pre-determined “within Himself”.
Both ideas fit the wider context since the purpose of God is ultimately fulfilled in Messiah.
10 Unto the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things by [way of] Messiah- the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth
11 by [way of] Him, by [way of] Whom also we have been assigned a portion, having been predestined according to the predetermination of the One. All things working according to the wisdom of His will
12 Unto us to be unto [the] praise of His glory, the [ones] having first trusted in Messiah.
13 In whom also you having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation. In whom also having trusted, you were sealed [with the] Ruach ha’kodesh of the promise
The Greek word translated as “sealed” is sphragizō– which means to seal as with a mark; to certify; to place ownership upon; from sphragis indicating a signet ring
In the ancient world, a seal was wax or clay which was attached to documents and impressed by a ring or signet
This signified things like:
- Ownership– Like livestock branding or a king’s insignia
- Authenticity– An official seal validated a document
- Authority– The authority of the sender/king stood behind it
- Security– a scroll or royal decree which was sealed was guarded against tampering
So “sealed with the holy Spirit” carries all these covenantal ideas together.
“The promise”- epangelia; from epi meaning upon, over; forth and angello, meaning to announce/ proclaim a message or declaration: So Epangelia carries the sense of a declared message, an official announcement, a proclaimed pledge; or a summons publicly spoken forth.
What Promise?
The Promises given by YHVH in the Tanakh (Old Testament)
- Genesis 12– Promise to Avraham
- Genesis 22– Blessing the Nations through Avraham’s seed
- Jeremiah 31– The brith chadesh (renewed covenant) promised to the houses of Yisrael and Judah
- Ezekiel 36– A new lev and ruach (heart; will center and spirit); YHVH’s Ruach would guide His people in His statues and judgements
- Joel 2- The Spirit being poured out on many, regardless of age, gender or status
Paul is saying the Spirit is connected to the fulfillment of what God declared beforehand.
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of His obtaining possession, unto the praise of His glory!
The Greek word here arrabon is often translated as “guarantee”, but the meaning is actually more transactional than that: it means
- a pledge payment
- down payment
- first installment
Think of it like a modern security deposit- money given upfront, that guarantees the full amount will follow, and legally binds the agreement; obligatory completion of a full transaction.
So Paul is bringing both legal and economic metaphors to say:
God has already given the first installment of the inheritance (His Spirit) as legally binding proof that the full inheritance will be completed.
15 On account of this, I also, having heard among you of the faith in the adonay Yeshua and the love toward all the holy ones
16 do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention in my prayers
17 that the God of our adonay Yeshua Messiah, [who is] the Father of glory, may give to you [a] Ruach of insight and revelation in the knowing of Him
18 being enlightened the eyes of your heart in order to know what is the hopeful expectation of His calling, what [are] the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the holy ones,
19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power towards us, those trusting according to the working of His mighty strength
20 which He worked in the Messiah, having raised Him out from death and having set Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.
21 Above every ruling power, and delegated authority, and active power, and lordship, and every name being named- not only in this age but also the one expected
22 And all things He placed under His feet, and set as head over all the assembly
In Hebrew thought, the right hand is symbolic authority language, and Paul is most likely pulling from one of the most quoted Tanakh verses in the New Testament:
Said YHVH to my adon,
“Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool”
– Psalm 110:1
David is speaking about a superior ruler; “My adon” (my lord) is understood in an either kingly or Messianic framework within Yisrael’s monarchy; Saying “Sit at My right hand” indicates sharing in YHVH’s delegated rule, being granted supreme authority under YHVH, and participation in divine kingship.
Other Right Hand imagery in the Tanakh:
- Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand, O YHVH, is glorious in power”
- Exodus 15:12 “You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them”
- Psalm 98:1 “His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation”
- Psalm 16:11 “At Your right hand are pleasures forever”
- Psalm 45:9 “At Your right hand stands the queen”
By the time of the Second Temple period, Psalm 110 was widely read in Messianic terms:
- a future anointed king from David’s line
- elevated by YHVH to universal rule
- victorious over all enemies
This also aligned with Daniel’s vision of a “Son of Man” who is given heavenly authority:
One like as a Son of Man comes with the clouds, and is given dominion, glory, and kingdom
Daniel 7:13-14
Paul is depicting Messiah as enthroned in shared authority under God’s sovereign rule. The “right hand” is throne-language that echoes Psalm 110, signifying delegated kingship, active rule and victory over all opposing powers. This exalts Messiah as installed into the highest position of authority, where God’s power is administered through Him until all things are brought into submission.
23 which is His body, the fullness of the One all in everything fulfilling
In this opening, Paul grounds identity, redemption, and inheritance entirely in God, through Messiah. He presents salvation as the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose- what the Father has planned, Messiah has accomplished, and the Spirit confirms, forming a people set apart for the praise of His glory.
What was once hidden is now made known, culminating in a people marked, sealed, and authenticated by the holy Spirit as the promised covenant gift. This same Spirit is given as a sort of “down payment” of the coming inheritance, securing its full completion.
From there, the chapter rises into exaltation: Messiah is raised from death and enthroned at the right hand of authority above every power, name, and dominion in every age. All things are placed under His feet, and the assembly is joined to Him as His body, acting as the living expression of God’s will.
The message is: God’s purpose is now inaugurated in Messiah, and will be brought to full completion in the age to come.
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