Having reminded the church that they are ‘saints’ and ‘faithful in Christ,’ and wishing them the grace and peace that accompany salvation, Paul then explodes with joy into a majestic hymn of praise to God that spans verses 3-14 of Ephesians chapter 1. The content of these verses are one Greek sentence of over 200 words! Paul could not help but praise – as a true understanding of grace and peace brings forth praise and thanksgiving out of the depths of his heart.
It was Paul’s desire that the Ephesian Christians and you would understand your privilege and heritage, so that you might enjoy the Christian life and live lives to the praise and glory of God. Praise is a mark of all saints who understand that they have every spiritual blessing in Christ. So Paul is about to embark on revealing one spiritual gem after another to show how God has blessed us, even before we existed, so that we might understand not only that we are saved, but how we were saved. Paul reveals God’s purposes and plan right off the bat as he affirms that all of the blessings of salvation come to us because He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (v. 4).
When you understand that He loved you with an everlasting love, a love from before the foundation of the world, and so planned and purposed to bring glory to His name specifically through you – how can you help but burst out in rejoicing! Theology is doxological – meaning that, true praise originates from the hearts of those who know something of how God planned their great salvation.
