Spiritual Blessings in Christ: Ephesians 1
Most of Paul’s letters begin with thanksgiving or encouragement. But in Ephesians, he does something unusual: he begins with worship. In Ephesians 1:3–14, Paul bursts into a hymn of praise, declaring the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ.
Instead of starting with what we should do, Paul starts with what God has already done. This long sentence in the original Greek is a cascade of joy — a reminder that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.
These blessings aren’t material comforts. They are eternal treasures — gifts from God that define our story and fuel our worship.
The Trinity in Salvation
Paul’s hymn of praise highlights the work of each member of the Trinity:
The Father chooses and adopts us (Ephesians 1:3–6). Before the foundation of the world, God set His love on His people.
The Son redeems and forgives us (Ephesians 1:7–12). Through Christ’s blood, we are freed from sin and given an eternal inheritance.
The Spirit seals and guarantees our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14). The Spirit’s presence is a down payment that we belong to God forever.
This passage is a Trinitarian symphony of grace — each Person of God at work in saving and securing His people.
Blessings That Fuel Worship
Spiritual blessings aren’t abstract ideas; they are realities that lead to praise. Paul begins with the phrase: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3).
These blessings move us to worship because they remind us:
We are not accidents — we were chosen.
We are not abandoned — we are adopted.
We are not condemned — we are forgiven.
We are not insecure — we are sealed.
Paul can’t help but worship because these truths are too great to keep quiet.
How to Live in Spiritual Blessings
Knowing these blessings is only the beginning. Paul’s prayer later in chapter 1 is that believers would grasp and experience them more deeply. Here are some ways to do that:
Practice gratitude daily. Start your prayers by thanking God for one spiritual blessing.
Turn blessings into worship. Read Ephesians 1:3–14 out loud as a hymn of praise.
Journal the blessings. Write out the list of blessings and note how each speaks to your life.
Pray through the Trinity. Thank the Father for adoption, the Son for redemption, and the Spirit for sealing you.
Reflection Questions
How does it change my view of worship to see it rooted in God’s blessings?
Which part of the Trinity’s work in Ephesians 1 stands out most to me?
How can I turn these blessings into daily habits of gratitude?
Free Identity in Christ PDF
To help you meditate on these truths, I created a free printable list of identity verses from Ephesians 1. It’s a practical way to keep these blessings in front of you as you worship and pray.
Download the Identity in Christ PDF
And for a guided experience, join my 5-day Ephesians study. Each day includes a short video and reflection questions to help you walk through these themes. Sign up for the study
Go Deeper with the Ephesians Bible Study
Paul’s hymn of blessings is only the opening of this powerful letter. My book, Ephesians: Experience God’s Power, is an 8-session guided study that walks through all six chapters with Scripture questions and real-life application. Get your copy here
