1:1-2 I am Paul. God chose me as his apostle under Jesus Christ who is God’s anointed.
I write this letter to the people of the church of Ephesus, who are Christians — believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
Peace and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3-4 Ah, look — long before the heavens and the earth were created God already knew us and chose us to be united with Christ. He chose us to be holy and without fault in his eyes. He embraces us with love as His holy people. Look — all the spiritual blessings that He has given us [love, peace, grace, patience] freely in abundance. Come, let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:5-8 This is all according to His plan — for us to be united with Jesus Christ, His beloved Son, through whom He has adopted us as His children, His sons and daughters. So we praise God for the wonderful grace that He has given us because we are united with Jesus Christ.
Long ago we were detached from Jesus Christ but He forgave us and united us. As Christians were saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amazing! His grace overflows, He has showered us with His kindness.

1:9-11 God’s plan is for everything in heaven and on earth to be united under Jesus Christ. He has revealed to us his mysterious plan in order that we may understand how everything connects to Jesus Christ. God is wise and everything is just according to His plan. When we are united to Jesus Christ He will reward us with His inheritance.

1:12-14 We Jews were the first to hope in Jesus Christ and we were chosen to bring praise and glory to God. Now you people of the church of Ephesus have been taught the truth of Jesus Christ which is salvation through unity with Christ. In Christ, God has given you the Holy Spirit which is His guarantee that we will get the things God promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. We will bring praise and glory to Him.

1:15-18 I have heard of your faith in Jesus and your love for all Christians which has moved me to give God thanks for you. I pray for you constantly, I ask God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you spiritual wisdom so that you may grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that you will have greater understanding in your heart, then you will know the hope that God has chosen us to have. You will know that the blessings God has promised His holy people are rich and glorious.

1:19-20 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe in Him. This is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at His right hand in heaven.

1:21-23 God has made Jesus more powerful than all rulers, authorities, powers and kings. He is more powerful than anything in this world or in the next world. God has put everything under Jesus’ authority and has made him ruler over all things for the church. The church is the body and Jesus is the head; he counsels us Christians and we are made full and complete by him, he makes everything complete in every way.