Category Archives: Bible Study

Ephesians 1:5

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Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (KJV)

There is a lot of theology and comfort in this small verse that is repeated in other places in Paul’s writings. I have to wonder if he heard and saw this in his visit to heaven. Now on an earthlier note, please look back a 1:4 and reread about pro and kata.  

  • Predestinated G4309, proorizo. Ordain beforehand is a good definition. It is used 6 times: Acts 4:28 is the prayer that shook the house. Romans 8:29 +30, 1 Corinthians 2:7, and Ephesians 1:11 complete the verses it is used in. It seems He has been looking out for us for a long time and thought about what He wants us to do.
  • Adoption G5206, hyiothesia. Paul is the only writer to use this concept, it is in Romans and Galatians. It is used 5 times. I have to wonder if it was to reinforce the idea that Gentiles were added to the Vine.
  • According G2596, kata. This word needs to be looked up as it is used in many different contexts.
  • Good pleasure G2107, eudokia. The angels sang about this on the night of Jesus’ birth.
  • Will G2307, thelema. Many references in the Gospels use this as God’s will.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Metamorphoō

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I like this word. You may know the English form of it as metamorphosis and think of caterpillars becoming butterflies. Metamorphoō is a compound word formed from meta (G3326) and metaschematizo (G3345). Meta is translated as “with or among us” most of the time; metaschematizo means to “transform”. 

There are three forms of metamorphoō in the New Testament. Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 use this word to describe Jesus’ change on the mountain when He speaks to Moses and Elijah. In Romans 12:2 it is used to describe our mind being changed to know the will of God. 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes our change as we look at ourselves and realize how we are looking and acting more like Jesus all the time.

The first time we see this type of change is in Moses when he received the stone tablets and went into the presence of God to talk with Him. This glorious change faded, and he had a veil to hide it from the people. (Exodus 34:29-35 and 2 Corinthians 3:7-18)  

Jesus was among us when He transformed on the mountaintop. This glory also faded, but I think He was still glowing when He was among the crowd and healed the boy. For sure the demon saw something.

Jesus was transformed again when He came out of the tomb as the true form of Himself. This God-Man (Christ Jesus) is who we are becoming as we change our thinking and acting to be the righteous people of God. I am thankful for the Father’s grace in this process, I could not do it without Him.

μεταμορφόω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

G3339 – metamorphoō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)

Ephesians 1:3

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Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV)

Our verse today would be a good time to compare my two references as to how they present this verse. Another way to find tools like this is to type in the reference verse and add “text analysis” in your favorite search engine.

  • Blessed G2128, eulogetos. Worthy of the blessing.
  • Who hath    G3588, ho. You will see this many times in the New Testament, like 19867 times.
  • Blessed G2127, eulogeo. Giving someone praise or conferring a blessing on someone.
  • All G3956, pas. “Everything” and many other English words that carry the idea of “all”. You will see this word often in the New Testament as it appears 1243 times.
  • Spiritual G 4152, pneumatike. “Pneuma” is spirit, breath, or wind depending on the text. In your morning moments exchange these words and your thoughts in a verse like Acts 2:2.
  • Blessings G2129, eulogia. There are other variations, but it deals with speaking and the spoken word. When you look at the three words that deal with bless, the common thing is “eulog”. A common word we use is eulogy. No, being a translator is not easy.
  • Heavenly places G2032, epouranious. Heaven also comes from this word.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Ephesians 1:2

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Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

  • Grace – G5485, charis. It is used 155 times. It means grace but it is used also as a gift and various associated ideas.
  • To you – hymin G4771,
  • Peace – G1515, Eirene. It is used 92 times. It means peace but has other uses like safety and health.
  • From – apo G575,
  • Father – G3962, pater. It is used 413 times. It is used for God and man.
  • Of us – hemon G1473, our
  • Lord – G2424, kyrios
  • Christ – G5547, Christos

Ephesians 1:1 and 1:2 is Paul’s greeting to the Church. Please, do not gloss over these two verses, I have been guilty. Paul puts interesting information in his greetings. (There are many books, posts, and pages that do detailed breakdowns of these introductions, so I will not.) I will ask you to compare this greeting to what the Lord says about the Ephesians in Revelations 2. The elapsed time between the two may be 30 to 50 years, timelines vary. Take a Muse Moment and reflect on your own life. How does your spiritual condition compare and contrast from the beginning to now?

A little history– When Paul wrote Ephesians there was still an earthly Temple and Jerusalem. When John wrote Revelations. The Temple and Jerusalem had been destroyed. Paul was dead and John was very old and in prison at the writing of Revelations.

A study task – Paul will use many of these words again. Look, highlight, circle, or underline God, Father, Lord, Jesus, and Christ in the first two chapters.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Ephesians 1:1

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Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

  • Paul – G3972, it is a name but the meaning of the word is little. Contrast with the name Saul G4569 which means ask for or dedicated to God.
  • Apostle – G652, one sent or messengers. Terms are added behind this first requirement. The modern Church has limited that to only the ones picked by Jesus or a position of leadership in their denomination. References connected to the Ephesian Church – 1:1, 2:20, 3:5, 4:11, Revelations 2:2. Jesus was called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1 because the Father sent Him. The 14 Jesus called, the first 12, Matthis was 13 and Paul was 14, but what about the messengers that churches sent out?
  • Will – G2307, thelēma is used 62 times. You know it from Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, Your WILL be done.”
  • God – G2316, theos is used 1317 times. We use it to refer to the One True God, but it can also mean a deity or idol.
  • Saints – G39 and 40, hagios is used 233 times. It refers to the Christians but means separate from common conditions and use. It can refer to a sanctuary, like the church in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia.
  • Faithful – G4103, pistos is used 67 times. There are a variety of uses.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)