In Ephesians 1:7-12, Christ and the cross are in view. Because Paul introduces Christ and the cross early in Ephesians, we must understand that Christ is central to the whole book. We can confirm the interpretation of “us” as intending to include all people with reference to John 12:32, Romans 5:15-19, 1 John 2:2, John 3:16, and Isaiah 49:6. Christ is the redemption available to the entire world. However, this redemption is not forced upon or imposed upon a few and passed over others. Romans 5:15-19 stands in the way of such a belief. The Apostle’s Creed also says that Christ is the victor over sin and death – not for a few, but for all; not for some sin, but for all sin.
Some say that Christ believes for us, so for anyone who is not a believer, Christ has not availed Himself to them. This teaching requires that unbelievers have another avenue to salvation, which is chiefly works, and that Christ did not die for all sin. As stated above, Romans 5:15-19 stands in the way of such ideas.
Redemption is by blood. This is the same law taught all the way back in the Old Testament. Genesis 3:21, Genesis 4:4, Exodus 12:7-13, Leviticus 4:1-6, Hebrews 9:22
There are two concepts in Ephesians 1:13-14. The first is belief. Consistent with a general predestination of all people, “having also believed” is a reference to how we accept Christ. There must be belief. John 3:1-21 Our active part in obtaining acceptance before God is our response to Christ’s drawing, Christ’s illumination of our hearts with the light of life, and Christ’s gift of faith. It is indicative of our limited free will. Free will is limited because we cannot choose between sin and God on our own. In Romans 5:15-19, we understand that we are all under the curse of sin, and we must have another stand in our place to be brought out from under the curse. The law imposes a penalty for sin, and Christ stood in our place to take the penalty for us.
There is free will, nonetheless, even though it is limited, because we can refuse the gift of Christ. The refusal is to our own damnation. Despite the limitation on our free will, our expected response to Christ is to believe. Our will, however, remains free on this point because Christ does not coerce belief or believe for us. Revelation 3:20 He draws us and brings the faith we need to believe, but He does not believe for us.
Second, we have the Holy Spirit who was promised and is given as a pledge of our inheritance. John 14:16-31 The role of the Holy Spirit is to aid our belief on Christ and our holiness in the likeness of Christ.
Then, in Ephesians 1:15-20, Paul’s prayer is for the believer’s eyes to be opened to the greatness of God, the knowledge of God, and true wisdom. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. When once our eyes are opened to sin, we are prompted to turn to Christ. Once our eyes are opened to sin, we must continue in belief on Christ and submit to the transforming and renewing of our minds which occurs through the working of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 As we allow the Holy Spirit to work, He will continue to open our eyes to true knowledge and wisdom. Although we do not carry out this work on our own, we must continually consent and yield to the Holy Spirit.
Lastly, in Ephesians 1:21-23, Christ is preeminent, exalted by God above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name. Christ is exalted not just in this age or in this world, but in the heavenly realm throughout eternity. This exaltation is bestowed upon Christ because of His sacrifice on the cross for humanity. Christ is the victor over sin and death, and He is made the ruler over rulers.
All things are in subjection under Christ’s feet. All things belong to Christ, and this belonging is to elicit a response of glory and honor. All things were made for the glory of Christ, and all things belong to Him. All things can only be put into subjection if God first has the authority over all things to subject them. Because all things were created by God, He does retain this power and authority over all things to put them into subjection to Christ. God appointed Christ as the ruler over all things, and all things are subject to the kingdom of heaven.
Christ is made head over all things of the church. Christ is to be sought in matters of direction and where guidance is needed, for He is the head. As the head, Christ can properly guide, lead, and direct the church. Where Christ’s direction is not sought or decisions are made which deviate from Christ’s purpose for the church, the seeds of rebellion are planted. The church must at all times be guided by Christ and seek to honor, obey, and glorify Christ.
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