1
Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ τοῖς ἁγίοις τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Ἐφέσῳ καὶ πιστοῖς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ·
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus:
The epistolary superscription: sender (Paul, apostle by God's will) and addressees (the saints and faithful in Christ) — the standard Pauline opening, here notably terse before the great berakah.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ΠαῦλοςPaulNominativesubject (nominative of superscription)Παῦλος: the apostle's Roman cognomen; the Greek letter-opening names the sender first.
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativeapposition to Παῦλοςἀπόστολος: 'one sent,' commissioned envoy; from ἀποστέλλω (send with authority).
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession/sourceΧριστός: 'Anointed,' the Messiah; here functionally a name-title for Jesus.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χριστοῦ
διὰthrough/bypreposition + genitive (means/cause)
θελήματοςwillGenitiveobject of διά (means)θέλημα: 'will, purpose'; a keyword of the chapter (vv.5, 9, 11) — Paul's office, like all in view here, rests on God's sovereign will.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source (whose will)
τοῖςto theDativearticle
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativeindirect object (addressees)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the set-apart ones — covenant-people language now applied to the church.
τοῖςwhoDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
οὖσινbeingPres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival/attributive participle→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
ἘφέσῳEphesusDativedat. of placeἜφεσος: Ephesus, chief city of proconsular Asia; the words ἐν Ἐφέσῳ are absent from the earliest witnesses, suggesting an encyclical destination.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (epexegetic)
πιστοῖςfaithfulDativeapposition to ἁγίοις (one group)πιστός: 'faithful, believing'; not a second group but a second description of the saints — believers/trustworthy ones.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)ἐν Χριστῷ: the sphere of union with Christ — the leitmotif of the chapter, repeated insistently throughout the berakah.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (union)
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
2
χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The grace-and-peace blessing completes the salutation — the fixed Pauline greeting, naming Father and Lord together as one source.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (nom. in greeting formula)χάρις: 'grace'; Paul reshapes the Greek χαίρειν greeting into 'grace' — and grace is the very theme of vv.6–7.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject (coordinate)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — wholeness/well-being, the second half of the doubled blessing.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)
πατρὸςFatherGenitiveapposition to θεοῦπατήρ: 'Father'; the relational name for God shared by Father and people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (coordinate source)κύριος: 'Lord'; the LXX rendering of YHWH — Father and Lord set in parallel as one source of grace and peace.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
3
Εὐλογητὸς ὁ θεὸς καὶ πατὴρ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ εὐλογήσας ἡμᾶς ἐν πάσῃ εὐλογίᾳ πνευματικῇ ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
The eulogy opens (in Jewish berakah form, 'Blessed be God…') and states the theme of vv.3–14 at once: the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. A triple wordplay — Blessed / who blessed / blessing — sets the key.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ΕὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adj. (verbless 'be' clause)εὐλογητός: 'worthy of praise, blessed'; verbal adj. of εὐλογέω — in the LXX reserved for God as the object of praise.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πατὴρFatherNominativesubject (coordinate, one article)πατήρ: 'Father'; the single article over 'God and Father' binds the two titles to one person.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationship (whose God/Father)κύριος: 'Lord'; God is named relationally as the God and Father of Jesus — the christological anchor of the praise.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐλογήσαςwho blessedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐλογέωsubstantival participle (apposition to ὁ θεός)→ constative aorist (the decisive act)εὐλογέω: 'speak well of, bless'; God's blessing is effective bestowal, not mere words — the aorist views it as accomplished in Christ.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means/content)
πάσῃeveryDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; the comprehensiveness of the blessing — nothing is lacking in Christ.
εὐλογίᾳblessingDativedat. of means/contentεὐλογία: 'blessing, benefit'; the gift bestowed, completing the εὐλογ- wordplay (Blessed / blessed us / blessing).
πνευματικῇspiritualDativeattributive adjectiveπνευματικός: 'spiritual'; of or wrought by the Holy Spirit — not 'immaterial' but Spirit-given (cf. the sealing Spirit, v.13).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἐπουρανίοιςheavenly placesDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of place)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly'; τὰ ἐπουράνια, 'the heavenlies' — a distinctive Ephesians term (1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) for the unseen heavenly realm where Christ reigns and we are seated.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)ἐν Χριστῷ: the locus of every blessing — the union with Christ in which all of vv.3–14 is grounded.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (union)
4
καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ,
just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love,
The first of the Father's acts that fill out the blessing: an eternal, pretemporal choice 'in Christ,' whose goal is a holy and blameless people. καθώς is here causal/explanatory ('inasmuch as'), grounding the praise of v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καθὼςjust ascomparative/causal conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, inasmuch as'; here grounding the blessing of v.3 — we are blessed precisely because he chose us.
ἐξελέξατοhe choseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (καθώς clause)→ constative aorist (the eternal decree)ἐκλέγομαι: 'pick out, choose for oneself' (ἐκ + λέγω); the middle stresses God's choosing for himself — election as sovereign, gracious selection.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (= Christ)
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)
καταβολῆςfoundationGenitiveobject of πρό (time)καταβολή: 'founding, laying down' (καταβάλλω); 'the foundation of the world' = creation — the choice precedes time itself.
κόσμουof the worldGenitivegenitive (of the thing founded)κόσμος: 'world, ordered universe'; here the created order whose founding the election antedates.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of purpose/result→ stative (purpose)εἰμί: 'be'; the infinitive states the goal of election — a being-holy, not merely a status.
ἡμᾶςus / weAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
ἁγίουςholyAccusativepredicate accusative (w/ εἶναι)ἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the positive side of the goal — consecrated to God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀμώμουςblamelessAccusativepredicate accusativeἄμωμος: 'without blemish' (α- + μῶμος, 'spot'); a sacrificial term — the elect presented as a flawless offering (cf. 5:27).
κατενώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)κατενώπιον: 'right before, in the presence of'; the holiness is coram Deo — before his very face.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of κατενώπιον
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
ἀγάπῃloveDativedat. of manner/sphere (or w/ v.5)ἀγάπη: 'love'; 'in love' may close v.4 (our holiness expressed in love) or open v.5 (God's love predestining) — both are well defended.
5
προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς αὐτόν, κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ,
having predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
An aorist participle subordinate to 'he chose' (v.4): election unfolds as predestination to adoption, its standard being nothing outside God — 'the good pleasure of his will.'
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
προορίσαςhaving predestinedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προορίζωadverbial ptc. (manner/means, subord. to ἐξελέξατο)→ constative aorist (eternal decree)προορίζω: 'mark out beforehand, predetermine' (προ- + ὁρίζω, 'set a boundary'); God's prior appointing of the elect's destiny.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)
υἱοθεσίανadoptionAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)υἱοθεσία: 'adoption as son' (υἱός + τίθημι); a Greco-Roman legal term — the destiny of election is full sonship (cf. Rom 8:15, 23).
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/means)
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveobject of διά (mediator of adoption)
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/advantage)
αὐτόνhimselfAccusativeobject of εἰς (= God, the goal)αὐτόν: the adoption is 'unto him' — God is both author and end of sonship; some take it reflexively, 'unto himself.'
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εὐδοκίανgood pleasureAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)εὐδοκία: 'good pleasure, gracious will, delight'; election springs from God's free favor, nothing in us — the measure of predestination.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θελήματοςwillGenitivegenitive of source/contentθέλημα: 'will'; the good pleasure that is his will — the chapter's recurring stress on God's sovereign purpose.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
6
εἰς ἔπαινον δόξης τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἧς ἐχαρίτωσεν ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ ἠγαπημένῳ,
to the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he favored us in the Beloved,
The first of three 'to the praise of his glory' refrains (cf. vv.12, 14): the ultimate end of election is God's own praise — here, the praise of his grace, lavished in 'the Beloved.'
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
ἔπαινονpraiseAccusativeobject of εἰς (final goal)ἔπαινος: 'praise, approval'; the doxological refrain — all God's saving acts terminate on his own praise.
δόξηςof the gloryGenitiveobjective/attributive genitiveδόξα: 'glory'; the radiant worth of God displayed — here the glory that his grace manifests.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitivegenitive of source/content (of grace)χάρις: 'grace, unmerited favor'; the glory in view is specifically the glory of grace — God praised for his freely-given favor.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted to χάριτος)ἧς: relative pronoun, by attraction in the genitive of its antecedent χάριτος; logically the object ('with which/whom he favored us').
ἐχαρίτωσενhe favored / gracedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · χαριτόωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristχαριτόω: 'bestow grace upon, favor highly' (denom. of χάρις); rare — only here and Luke 1:28 ('favored one'). A deliberate paronomasia with χάρις.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἠγαπημένῳBelovedPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωsubstantival participle (title of Christ)→ intensive perfect (abiding belovedness)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; 'the Beloved' as a messianic title (cf. the baptism/transfiguration); the perfect marks a settled, enduring love. Grace comes to us only in him.
7
ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν ἀπολύτρωσιν διὰ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ, τὴν ἄφεσιν τῶν παραπτωμάτων, κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ,
in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
The blessing turns from the Father's eternal counsel to its accomplishment in history: in Christ we have a present redemption, defined as the forgiveness of sins, measured by the riches of grace. ἐν ᾧ ('in whom') resumes the union refrain.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν; = the Beloved)
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative present (present possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present tense marks redemption as a present, possessed reality, not merely future.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀπολύτρωσινredemptionAccusativedirect objectἀπολύτρωσις: 'release/redemption by ransom' (λύτρον, 'ransom-price'); deliverance secured by payment — the exodus/manumission image.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
αἵματοςbloodGenitiveobject of διά (means/price)αἷμα: 'blood'; the ransom-price is Christ's sacrificial death — sacrificial-atonement language.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἄφεσινforgivenessAccusativeapposition to ἀπολύτρωσινἄφεσις: 'release, remission, forgiveness' (ἀφίημι, 'send away'); redemption is here defined as the cancellation of debt — the sending-away of sins.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
παραπτωμάτωνtrespassesGenitiveobjective genitive (what is forgiven)παράπτωμα: 'false step, trespass' (παραπίπτω, 'fall beside'); a lapse from the right path — the sins from which we are released.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/measure)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλοῦτοςrichesAccusativeobject of κατά (measure)πλοῦτος: 'wealth, abundance'; a favorite Ephesians word for the lavishness of grace — forgiveness measured by, not merely out of, grace's riches.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitivegenitive of source/contentχάρις: 'grace'; the riches that consist of grace — the standard by which God forgives.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
8
ἧς ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ καὶ φρονήσει,
which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight,
A relative clause expanding 'his grace': God did not merely give but superabounded it toward us — and did so amid (or by giving) all wisdom and insight.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (attracted to χάριτος)ἧς: relative by case-attraction to χάριτος (v.7); logically the accusative object of ἐπερίσσευσεν ('which he made to abound').
ἐπερίσσευσενhe lavished / made aboundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περισσεύωmain verb (rel. clause; transitive/causative)→ constative aoristπερισσεύω: 'overflow, abound'; here transitive/causative — 'caused to overflow, lavished.' Grace not merely sufficient but superabundant.
εἰςuponpreposition + accusative (direction)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipient)
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (manner/means)
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedat. of manner/accompanimentσοφία: 'wisdom'; comprehensive insight into God's saving plan — the grace overflows in the form of wisdom (or attends it).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φρονήσειinsight / prudenceDativedat. of manner (coordinate)φρόνησις: 'understanding, practical prudence'; wisdom's application — σοφία and φρόνησις together span comprehension and discernment (cf. Prov 1:2 LXX).
9
γνωρίσας ἡμῖν τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ, κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν αὐτοῦ ἣν προέθετο ἐν αὐτῷ
having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him,
An aorist participle (parallel to v.5's προορίσας) naming a further act: the lavished grace includes revelation — God disclosed the once-hidden 'mystery of his will,' again grounded in his own good pleasure.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
γνωρίσαςhaving made knownAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γνωρίζωadverbial ptc. (means/manner)→ constative aoristγνωρίζω: 'make known, reveal' (γινώσκω); the disclosure of what was hidden — a key verb for the 'mystery' theme (3:3, 5, 10).
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μυστήριονmysteryAccusativedirect objectμυστήριον: 'mystery'; not a riddle but a secret once hidden in God and now revealed — his eternal saving purpose (cf. 3:3–6; Col 1:26).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θελήματοςwillGenitiveepexegetical/objective genitiveθέλημα: 'will'; the mystery consists in God's will — his plan to unite all things in Christ (v.10).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εὐδοκίανgood pleasureAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)εὐδοκία: 'good pleasure, gracious purpose' (cf. v.5); the revelation, like the election, flows from God's free delight.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of προέθετο)
προέθετοhe purposedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προτίθημιmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπροτίθημι (mid.): 'set before oneself, purpose, plan' (προ- + τίθημι); God's prior resolve, formed in Christ before its disclosure.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/union)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (= Christ)αὐτῷ: 'in him' (Christ); the purpose was framed in Christ — though some read 'in himself' (God). Most refer it to Christ, as v.10 confirms.
10
εἰς οἰκονομίαν τοῦ πληρώματος τῶν καιρῶν, ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι τὰ πάντα ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ, τὰ ἐπὶ τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς· ἐν αὐτῷ,
for an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth — in him,
The aim and content of that purpose: at history's fullness God will administer the uniting of the whole cosmos — heaven and earth — under one head, Christ. This is the heart of the mystery and the chapter's cosmic horizon.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)
οἰκονομίανadministration / planAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)οἰκονομία: 'household management, stewardship, administration' (οἶκος + νέμω); God's ordering of the ages toward their goal — a plan administered, not merely conceived.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πληρώματοςfullnessGenitivegenitive of time/contentπλήρωμα: 'fullness, that which fills'; the appointed completion — the administration belonging to the moment when the times are full (cf. Gal 4:4).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
καιρῶνtimes / seasonsGenitiveobjective/partitive genitiveκαιρός: 'appointed time, decisive season' (vs. χρόνος, duration); the divinely-set epochs that reach their fullness in Christ.
ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαιto sum up / unite under one headAor Mid Inf · ἀνακεφαλαιόομαιepexegetical infinitive (defines οἰκονομίαν)→ constative aorist (the climactic act)ἀνακεφαλαιόομαι: 'sum up, gather under one head' (ἀνά + κεφάλαιον, 'main point'; echoing κεφαλή, 'head'); to bring the fragmented cosmos to unity in Christ as its head (cf. v.22).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of the infinitiveπᾶς: 'all'; τὰ πάντα = the totality of created reality, the universe — the scope of the summing-up.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (the uniting head)Χριστός: here with the article, 'the Christ' — the one in whom all things cohere and are gathered.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes phrase; apposition to τὰ πάντα)
ἐπὶin / uponpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
οὐρανοῖςheavensDativeobject of ἐπί (place)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the upper half of the cosmic totality embraced by the summing-up.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantizes phrase)
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)γῆ: 'earth, land'; the lower half — 'heaven and earth' is a merism for the whole created order.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union; resumptive)
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν (resumes 'in Christ')αὐτῷ: a resumptive 'in him' that closes the clause emphatically — all is gathered in Christ, and in Christ alone.
11
ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἐκληρώθημεν προορισθέντες κατὰ πρόθεσιν τοῦ τὰ πάντα ἐνεργοῦντος κατὰ τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ,
in whom we also were made a heritage, having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
Returning from the cosmic vista to the elect, the berakah's third movement begins (vv.11–14): in Christ 'we' (Jewish believers, with Paul) were claimed as God's portion — again 'predestined,' again 'according to his purpose,' grounded now in the God who works all things by his will.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν; = Christ)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἐκληρώθημενwe were made a heritage / allottedAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · κληρόωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristκληρόω: 'assign by lot, allot'; passive 'we were claimed as a portion/inheritance' (or 'were given an inheritance'). Israel was God's κλῆρος (Deut 9:29) — the elect are now his portion in Christ.
προορισθέντεςhaving been predestinedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · προορίζωadverbial ptc. (cause/antecedent)→ constative aoristπροορίζω: 'predetermine' (cf. v.5); the allotment rests on a prior predestining — the participle grounds the main verb.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
πρόθεσινpurposeAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)πρόθεσις: 'setting forth, purpose, plan' (cognate of προέθετο, v.9); God's fixed design (cf. Rom 8:28) — the basis of the predestining.
τοῦof the (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of ἐνεργοῦντοςπᾶς: 'all'; the scope of God's working is total — he works all things, history and salvation alike.
ἐνεργοῦντοςwho works / accomplishesPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ἐνεργέωsubstantival participle (= God; subj. of πρόθεσιν)→ gnomic/customary present (characteristic activity)ἐνεργέω: 'be at work, effect, accomplish' (ἐν + ἔργον); God as the effectual worker of all — the present marks his continual operation.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βουλὴνcounselAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)βουλή: 'counsel, deliberate resolve'; the considered decision behind his action — 'the counsel of his will,' a deliberate fullness of terms for divine sovereignty.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θελήματοςwillGenitivegenitive of source/contentθέλημα: 'will'; the will whose counsel directs his working — the fourth occurrence of θέλημα in the chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
12
εἰς τὸ εἶναι ἡμᾶς εἰς ἔπαινον δόξης αὐτοῦ τοὺς προηλπικότας ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ·
so that we who first hoped in Christ should be to the praise of his glory —
The purpose of the allotment, and the second 'to the praise of his glory' refrain: that 'we who first hoped in Christ' might exist for God's praise. The 'we' likely marks Jewish believers who hoped in Messiah before the Gentiles' inclusion (v.13).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εἰςso that / forpreposition + articular inf. (purpose)εἰς τό + infinitive: a standard purpose construction — 'in order that.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive)
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίarticular infinitive of purpose→ stative (purpose)εἰμί: 'be'; the elect's very existence is purposed toward God's praise.
ἡμᾶςwe / usAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
ἔπαινονpraiseAccusativeobject of εἰς (final goal)ἔπαινος: 'praise'; the recurring refrain (cf. vv.6, 14) — the chosen exist for the glory of the God who chose them.
δόξηςof gloryGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveδόξα: 'glory'; here unqualified 'his glory' (vs. 'glory of his grace,' v.6) — the comprehensive splendor of God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τοὺςthe (ones)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.; apposition to ἡμᾶς)
προηλπικόταςwho first hoped / hoped beforehandPerf Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · προελπίζωsubstantival participle (apposition to ἡμᾶς)→ intensive perfect (an abiding hope)προελπίζω: 'hope beforehand' (προ- + ἐλπίζω); the προ- likely marks priority — those (Jewish believers) who hoped in Messiah before his open revelation to the nations. The perfect: a hope still held.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/object of hope)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (the ground/object of hope)Χριστός: 'the Christ'; the Messiah in whom hope was set — the article points to the expected one of Israel's hope.
13
ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀκούσαντες τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς σωτηρίας ὑμῶν, ἐν ᾧ καὶ πιστεύσαντες ἐσφραγίσθητε τῷ πνεύματι τῆς ἐπαγγελίας τῷ ἁγίῳ,
in whom you also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation — in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
From 'we' to 'you also': the Gentile readers are folded into the same blessing. The sequence is heard → believed → were sealed; the sealing Spirit marks them as God's own. Two parallel ἐν ᾧ clauses bind them, like 'us,' to Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν; = Christ)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic; shift from 'we')ὑμεῖς: 'you' (pl.); the emphatic pronoun marks the turn to the Gentile readers, now included in the inheritance.
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωadverbial ptc. (temporal/antecedent)→ antecedent aorist (prior action)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the first step of the order of salvation here — hearing the message (cf. Rom 10:17).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ἀκούσαντεςλόγος: 'word, message'; the gospel as the word that was heard.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveattributive/epexegetical genitiveἀλήθεια: 'truth'; 'the word of truth' = the true message, the reliable gospel (cf. Col 1:5).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (apposition)
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativeapposition to τὸν λόγονεὐαγγέλιον: 'good news, gospel'; the 'word of truth' is identified as the gospel — the saving announcement.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σωτηρίαςsalvationGenitiveobjective genitive (gospel about salvation)σωτηρία: 'salvation, deliverance'; the gospel concerning and effecting their rescue.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union; resumptive)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (resumes 'in Christ')
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
πιστεύσαντεςhaving believedAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · πιστεύωadverbial ptc. (temporal/antecedent)→ antecedent aorist (prior to sealing)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the response to the heard word — faith precedes (or coincides with) the sealing.
ἐσφραγίσθητεyou were sealedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · σφραγίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (the decisive sealing)σφραγίζω: 'seal, mark with a seal'; a seal denotes ownership, authentication, and protection — believers are stamped as God's by the Spirit.
τῷwith theDativearticle
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of means/instrument (the seal itself)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit is himself the seal — God's own mark of possession set on believers.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitiveattributive genitive ('promised')ἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; 'the Spirit of the promise' = the promised Spirit (Joel 2; Acts 2) — the long-pledged gift now given.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἁγίῳ)
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adj. (second-attributive position)ἅγιος: 'holy'; the adjective, placed last for emphasis, identifies the seal definitively as the Holy Spirit.
14
ὅ ἐστιν ἀρραβὼν τῆς κληρονομίας ἡμῶν, εἰς ἀπολύτρωσιν τῆς περιποιήσεως, εἰς ἔπαινον τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ.
who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.
The Spirit is defined as the ἀρραβών — the first installment guaranteeing the full inheritance, which awaits the final redemption. The berakah closes on its third 'to the praise of his glory,' rounding off the whole hymn.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὅwho / whichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, agreeing w/ πνεῦμα)ὅ: neuter relative, agreeing grammatically with πνεῦμα; refers to the Holy Spirit.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula, rel. clause)→ stative present
ἀρραβὼνdown payment / pledgeNominativepredicate nominativeἀρραβών: 'earnest, first installment, guarantee' (a Semitic loanword, used in commerce); a deposit that both begins payment and pledges the rest — the Spirit guarantees the full inheritance.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitiveobjective/partitive genitiveκληρονομία: 'inheritance, heritage' (κλῆρος + νέμομαι); the promised possession of which the Spirit is the first installment (cf. ἐκληρώθημεν, v.11).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςuntil / forpreposition + accusative (goal/time)
ἀπολύτρωσινredemptionAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal/terminus)ἀπολύτρωσις: 'redemption' (cf. v.7); here the final, future redemption — the consummation toward which the down payment points.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
περιποιήσεωςpossessionGenitiveobjective/appositional genitiveπεριποίησις: 'acquisition, possession, the people God has won' (περιποιέομαι, 'acquire for oneself'); God's own purchased people (cf. 1 Pet 2:9; Mal 3:17) — the redemption that liberates God's possession.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (final goal)
ἔπαινονpraiseAccusativeobject of εἰς (final goal)ἔπαινος: 'praise'; the third and climactic refrain (cf. vv.6, 12) — the whole work of Father, Son, and Spirit ends in God's glory.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive/objective genitiveδόξα: 'glory'; 'the praise of his glory' seals the eulogy as it began — God-centered praise.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
15
Διὰ τοῦτο κἀγώ, ἀκούσας τὴν καθ' ὑμᾶς πίστιν ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην τὴν εἰς πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους,
For this reason I also, having heard of the faith among you in the Lord Jesus and the love toward all the saints,
The inferential 'for this reason' pivots from the berakah to the thanksgiving-and-prayer section (vv.15–23). Paul grounds his gratitude in a report of their two cardinal graces: faith in the Lord and love for all the saints.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
Διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (Διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')διὰ τοῦτο: 'for this reason'; looking back to the whole blessing of vv.3–14 as the ground of the prayer.
κἀγώI alsoNominativesubject (crasis καὶ ἐγώ)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'I also/even I'; Paul joins his thanksgiving to the praise already voiced.
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωadverbial ptc. (cause)→ antecedent aorist (the report received)ἀκούω: 'hear'; Paul writes from report of their faith — a hint that he addresses readers not all personally known to him.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
καθ'among / according topreposition + accusative (attributive: 'your')κατά + acc. (καθ' ὑμᾶς): a periphrasis for the possessive — 'the faith that is yours/among you.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of κατά
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect object of ἀκούσαςπίστις: 'faith, trust'; the first of the reported graces — faith directed to the Lord Jesus.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (object/sphere of faith)
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeobject of ἐν (the object of faith)κύριος: 'Lord'; faith reposes 'in the Lord Jesus' — its proper object.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativedirect object (coordinate w/ πίστιν)ἀγάπη: 'love'; the second grace — faith toward the Lord issuing in love toward the saints, the classic Pauline pairing.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, repeated)
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of love)
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the love is undiscriminating — 'all the saints,' a hallmark of genuine love.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἁγίουςsaintsAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients of love)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the whole company of God's people as the object of their love.
16
οὐ παύομαι εὐχαριστῶν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν μνείαν ποιούμενος ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου,
do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,
The main clause of the long sentence begun in v.15: unceasing thanksgiving, expressed by constant intercessory remembrance — the customary Pauline thanksgiving-period now under way.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
οὐnotnegative particleοὐ: the negative — with παύομαι, 'I do not cease,' a litotes for 'I continually.'
παύομαιI ceasePres Mid Indic 1 Sg · παύομαιmain verb→ customary presentπαύομαι: 'stop, cease' (middle); complemented by a participle — 'I do not stop giving thanks.'
εὐχαριστῶνgiving thanksPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐχαριστέωcomplementary participle (w/ παύομαι)→ present (ongoing)εὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the standard verb opening a Pauline thanksgiving — here as the complement of παύομαι.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
μνείανmention / remembranceAccusativedirect object (cognate w/ ποιούμενος)μνεία: 'remembrance, mention'; μνείαν ποιοῦμαι = the idiom 'I make mention / remember' — i.e. I pray for.
ποιούμενοςmakingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. (manner/means)→ present (concurrent)ποιέω (mid.): in the idiom μνείαν ποιούμενος, 'making remembrance' — defining how the thanksgiving is expressed.
ἐπὶin / atpreposition + genitive (occasion)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
προσευχῶνprayersGenitiveobject of ἐπί (occasion)προσευχή: 'prayer'; the regular occasions of Paul's praying, in which the remembrance is made.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession
17
ἵνα ὁ θεὸς τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ πατὴρ τῆς δόξης, δῴη ὑμῖν πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ ἀποκαλύψεως ἐν ἐπιγνώσει αὐτοῦ,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,
The content (here, near-imperatival aim) of the constant prayer: that the God of Christ, the Father of glory, would grant a Spirit-given wisdom and revelation, whose goal is the deepening knowledge of God himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose of prayer)ἵνα: 'that'; introduces the substance of the petition — common after verbs of praying.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of δῴη
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of relationship (whose God)κύριος: 'Lord'; 'the God of our Lord Jesus Christ' — the same relational title as v.3, framing the prayer christologically.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
ὁtheNominativearticle
πατὴρFatherNominativeapposition to ὁ θεόςπατήρ: 'Father'; 'the Father of glory' = the glorious Father, or the Father to whom glory belongs (a Semitic genitive of quality).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive genitive (of quality)δόξα: 'glory'; the genitive of quality — the all-glorious Father (cf. Acts 7:2; Ps 29:3).
δῴηmay giveAor Act Subj/Opt 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of the ἵνα clause (volitive)→ constative aorist (a definite gift sought)δίδωμι: 'give'; the form δῴη may be read as aorist subjunctive (after ἵνα) or optative of wish — in either case the petition's verb: 'that he would give.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
πνεῦμαa spirit / the SpiritAccusativedirect object of δῴηπνεῦμα: 'spirit/Spirit'; either a Spirit-given disposition ('a spirit of wisdom') or the Holy Spirit himself imparting wisdom — the two readings converge in sense.
σοφίαςof wisdomGenitivegenitive of product/contentσοφία: 'wisdom'; the spirit that produces wisdom — insight into God and his ways.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποκαλύψεωςof revelationGenitivegenitive of product/content (coordinate)ἀποκάλυψις: 'unveiling, revelation' (ἀποκαλύπτω, 'uncover'); the spirit that grants disclosure of God's truth — not new doctrine but illumined apprehension.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
ἐπιγνώσειknowledgeDativedat. of sphere (realm/goal of the wisdom)ἐπίγνωσις: 'full/deep knowledge' (ἐπί-intensive of γνῶσις); the wisdom and revelation operate within, and aim at, an ever-deepening personal knowledge of God.
αὐτοῦof himGenitiveobjective genitive (knowledge of God)αὐτοῦ: 'of him,' i.e. of God — the object of the knowledge the prayer seeks.
18
πεφωτισμένους τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῆς καρδίας ὑμῶν εἰς τὸ εἰδέναι ὑμᾶς τίς ἐστιν ἡ ἐλπὶς τῆς κλήσεως αὐτοῦ, τίς ὁ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ἁγίοις,
the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
The result/aim of the spirit of wisdom: inwardly illumined hearts that perceive three things — first the hope of God's call, then the glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints. Knowledge here is heart-perception, not bare information.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
πεφωτισμένουςhaving been enlightenedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · φωτίζωptc. of result (loose acc., w/ ὑμῖν/ὑμᾶς)→ intensive perfect (an abiding illumination)φωτίζω: 'give light to, illumine' (φῶς, 'light'); the perfect marks a settled state of enlightenment — the eyes opened and kept open.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativeaccusative of respect (eyes... enlightened)ὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; 'the eyes of the heart' — a vivid metaphor for inner spiritual perception.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
καρδίαςheartGenitivepossessive genitiveκαρδία: 'heart'; in Hebraic usage the center of mind, will, and understanding — the organ of true knowing.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
εἰςthat / so aspreposition + articular inf. (purpose/result)εἰς τό + infinitive: purpose/result — 'in order that you may know.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive)
εἰδέναιto knowPerf Act Inf · οἶδαarticular infinitive (purpose)→ perfect with present sense (settled knowing)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); a full, sure knowing — the aim of the enlightened heart.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (indir. question)τίς: 'what?'; introduces the first of the things to be known.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the indirect question→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐλπὶςhopeNominativesubject (predicate of τίς ἐστιν)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; the first object of knowing — the hope that God's call sets before us (objective, the thing hoped for).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κλήσεωςcallingGenitivegenitive of source (hope from his call)κλῆσις: 'calling, summons'; God's effectual call, which carries its own hope — the destiny to which he calls.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivesubjective genitive (God's calling)
τίςwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (second indir. question)
ὁtheNominativearticle
πλοῦτοςrichesNominativesubject (second item to be known)πλοῦτος: 'wealth, abundance'; the second object — the lavish wealth of glory belonging to God's inheritance.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δόξηςgloryGenitiveattributive genitive (of quality)δόξα: 'glory'; 'the riches of the glory of his inheritance' — heaped genitives conveying overwhelming abundance.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitivegenitive (whose glory)κληρονομία: 'inheritance' (cf. v.14); strikingly, 'his inheritance in the saints' — God's own heritage is his people (cf. Deut 32:9).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐνin / amongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἁγίοιςsaintsDativedat. of sphere (where the inheritance lies)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the inheritance is found 'in/among the saints' — God's treasured possession is his consecrated people.
19
καὶ τί τὸ ὑπερβάλλον μέγεθος τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ εἰς ἡμᾶς τοὺς πιστεύοντας κατὰ τὴν ἐνέργειαν τοῦ κράτους τῆς ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength,
The third and climactic object of knowing: the immeasurable greatness of God's power directed toward believers — a power Paul piles up synonyms to describe, and which v.20 will anchor in the resurrection of Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (third indir. question)
τὸtheNominativearticle
ὑπερβάλλονsurpassingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ὑπερβάλλωattributive participle→ present (characteristic)ὑπερβάλλω: 'throw beyond, exceed, surpass' (ὑπέρ + βάλλω); a favorite Ephesians intensifier (2:7; 3:19) — power that overshoots all measure.
μέγεθοςgreatnessNominativesubject (predicate of τί)μέγεθος: 'greatness, magnitude'; the immensity of the power — the third item the enlightened heart is to grasp.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitivegenitive (whose greatness)δύναμις: 'power, ability'; the inherent power of God — the first of four power-words heaped up here.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/advantage)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of εἰς (recipients)
τοὺςthe (ones)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.; apposition to ἡμᾶς)
πιστεύονταςwho believePres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · πιστεύωsubstantival participle (apposition to ἡμᾶς)→ present (characteristic/ongoing)πιστεύω: 'believe'; the present marks believing as the ongoing mark of those toward whom the power works — it is experienced in the realm of faith.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/measure)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐνέργειανworkingAccusativeobject of κατά (measure)ἐνέργεια: 'operation, active working' (cf. ἐνεργέω, v.11); the second power-word — power in actual exercise, measured by the resurrection (v.20).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κράτουςmightGenitivegenitive of source/contentκράτος: 'might, dominion, exerted strength'; the third power-word — strength as effective force or rule.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἰσχύοςstrengthGenitiveattributive/possessive genitiveἰσχύς: 'strength, inherent power'; the fourth power-word — the piled synonyms (δύναμις, ἐνέργεια, κράτος, ἰσχύς) strain language to convey God's might.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
20
ἣν ἐνήργησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ ἐγείρας αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν, καὶ καθίσας ἐν δεξιᾷ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις
which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
A relative clause defining that power by its supreme demonstration: God exercised it in Christ, raising him and enthroning him at his own right hand. The resurrection-exaltation is the yardstick of the power at work in believers.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐνήργησεν; = ἐνέργειαν)
ἐνήργησενhe worked / exercisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐνεργέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἐνεργέω: 'put forth power, effect' (cognate of ἐνέργεια, v.19); the power was actually exerted — supremely in Christ's resurrection.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locus of the working)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (in whom the power worked)Χριστός: 'the Christ'; the resurrection of Christ is the historical exhibition of the power now pledged to believers.
ἐγείραςhaving raisedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐγείρωadverbial ptc. (means/temporal: 'when he raised')→ antecedent/coincident aoristἐγείρω: 'raise up, awaken'; the resurrection of Christ — the first of the two exaltation acts naming how the power worked.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐγείρας
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ (separation/source)νεκρός: 'dead (one)'; 'from among the dead' — the bodily resurrection.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθίσαςhaving seatedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καθίζωadverbial ptc. (coordinate w/ ἐγείρας)→ antecedent/coincident aoristκαθίζω: 'seat, cause to sit'; the enthronement — God seated Christ at his right hand, fulfilling Ps 110:1, the most-cited OT verse in the NT.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
δεξιᾷright handDativedat. of place (the place of honor/power)δεξιά: 'right hand'; the position of supreme honor and authority beside the throne (Ps 110:1).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (God's right hand)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἐπουρανίοιςheavenly placesDativesubstantival adj. (dat. of place)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly' (cf. v.3); Christ's enthronement is 'in the heavenlies' — the same realm of our blessing and seating (2:6).
21
ὑπεράνω πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας καὶ δυνάμεως καὶ κυριότητος καὶ παντὸς ὀνόματος ὀνομαζομένου οὐ μόνον ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι·
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come;
The session is qualified spatially and absolutely: Christ is enthroned 'far above' every conceivable cosmic power and 'every name,' in this age and the next — his lordship is total and unrivaled, a recurring Ephesians concern (cf. 6:12).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὑπεράνωfar aboveimproper preposition + genitive (place)ὑπεράνω: 'high above, far above' (ὑπέρ + ἄνω); an emphatic doubled term — Christ is exalted above all, not merely over them.
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all, every'; the comprehensiveness — no power is excepted.
ἀρχῆςruleGenitiveobject of ὑπεράνωἀρχή: 'beginning, rule, ruler'; a class of (angelic/cosmic) powers — the first of four power-titles (cf. 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐξουσίαςauthorityGenitiveobject of ὑπεράνω (coordinate)ἐξουσία: 'authority, right, power'; the second title — delegated or claimed authority among the powers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitiveobject of ὑπεράνω (coordinate)δύναμις: 'power'; here a personified rank of power — the third title.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κυριότητοςdominion / lordshipGenitiveobject of ὑπεράνω (coordinate)κυριότης: 'lordship, dominion' (κύριος); the fourth title — together a comprehensive sweep of all conceivable authorities.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παντὸςeveryGenitiveattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every'; lest any be missed, Christ is above 'every name' whatever.
ὀνόματοςnameGenitiveobject of ὑπεράνω (coordinate)ὄνομα: 'name'; here denoting rank/title of dignity — every title of power is beneath his.
ὀνομαζομένουthat is namedPres Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · ὀνομάζωattributive participle (w/ ὀνόματος)→ present (general/customary)ὀνομάζω: 'name, give a title to'; 'every name that is named' = every title that can be invoked — in any age.
οὐnotnegative particle (οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί)
μόνονonlyadverb (in οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί)μόνον: 'only'; the οὐ μόνον … ἀλλὰ καί construction widens the scope to both ages.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
αἰῶνιageDativedat. of time (this age)αἰών: 'age, era'; 'this age' vs. 'the age to come' — the two-age framework of Jewish eschatology.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative (attributive)
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μέλλοντιcomingPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · μέλλωsubstantival participle ('the age to come')→ futuristic present (impending)μέλλω: 'be about to, be coming'; 'the coming age' — Christ's supremacy spans the present and the future world.
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καὶ πάντα ὑπέταξεν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸν ἔδωκεν κεφαλὴν ὑπὲρ πάντα τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ,
and he subjected all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things to the church,
Two further acts of God toward the exalted Christ, echoing Ps 8:6: all things put beneath his feet, and Christ himself given to the church as head over all. The cosmic supremacy is for the church's sake.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (fronted)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality subjected — an allusion to Ps 8:6 (the dominion of the true Man).
ὑπέταξενhe subjectedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'place under, subordinate' (ὑπό + τάσσω); God set all things in subjection beneath Christ's feet (Ps 8:6; cf. 1 Cor 15:27).
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (place/subjection)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativeobject of ὑπόπούς: 'foot'; 'under his feet' — the image of total conquest and dominion (Ps 8:6).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (fronted, emphatic)αὐτόν: emphatic 'him' — the same exalted Christ is the one given to the church.
ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; God 'gave' Christ to the church as a gift — its head, the source of its life and direction.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativepredicate accusative (complement of αὐτόν)κεφαλή: 'head'; connoting both supremacy (over all) and source/sustainer (of the body) — a central Ephesians image (4:15; 5:23).
ὑπὲρoverpreposition + accusative (superiority)ὑπέρ + acc.: 'over, above'; 'head over all things' — his headship is universal in scope.
πάνταall thingsAccusativeobject of ὑπέρπᾶς: 'all'; the head 'over all things' is given to the church — the universe's Lord is the church's head.
τῇto theDativearticle
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativedat. of advantage (recipient of the gift)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church' (ἐκ + καλέω, 'called out'); in Ephesians the universal church — the body to which the cosmic Lord is given as head.
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ἥτις ἐστὶν τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ, τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ τὰ πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν πληρουμένου.
which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all in all.
The closing relative clause defines the church by two staggering terms: it is Christ's body, and his 'fullness' — the complement of the one who himself fills the entire universe. The chapter ends with the church bound to its all-filling head.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative; = the church)ἥτις: the qualitative relative ('which indeed, which by its nature'); introduces the definition of the church.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
τὸtheNominativearticle
σῶμαbodyNominativepredicate nominativeσῶμα: 'body'; the church as Christ's body — organically united to him as head, the great Ephesians ecclesiology (cf. 4:4, 16).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
τὸtheNominativearticle (apposition)
πλήρωμαfullnessNominativepredicate nom. (apposition to τὸ σῶμα)πλήρωμα: 'fullness, that which fills/completes' (cf. v.10); the church as Christ's complement — that which he fills, or (less likely) that which fills out his work.
τοῦof the (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.; = Christ)
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of πληρουμένουπᾶς: 'all'; the universe Christ fills — 'all things in all (respects/realms).'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
πᾶσινallDativedat. of sphere (substantival: 'in all things/respects')πᾶς: 'all'; 'all in all' — an idiom for total, pervasive filling; whether 'in every way' or 'in all things.'
πληρουμένουwho fills / is filledPres Mid/Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · πληρόωsubstantival participle (= Christ)→ present (continual filling)πληρόω: 'fill, complete'; if middle, 'the one who fills all things for himself' (active sense, most likely); if passive, 'the one who is being filled' — Christ as the all-pervading fullness.