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Genesis 14:20
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

1 Chronicles 29:20
And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah,and Pethahiah, said, Stand upand bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

God.

Ephesians 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

John 10:29,30
My Father, which gavethem me, is greater than all; and noman is able to pluckthem out of my Father's hand…

John 20:17
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; andto my God, and your God.

who.

Genesis 12:2,3
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: …

Genesis 22:18
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keepme from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

heavenly.

Ephesians 1:20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and sethim at his own right hand in the heavenlyplaces,

Ephesians 2:6
And hath raisedus up together, and madeus sit together in heavenlyplaces in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 3:10
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenlyplaces might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

places, or, things.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in highplaces.

in Christ.

Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth;even in him:

who has blessed us in Christ
The phrase "who has blessed us" indicates that believers are recipients of God's favor and grace. The blessings are not earned but are given through God's mercy. The use of "in Christ" is significant, as it underscores the belief that all spiritual blessings are mediated through Jesus. This reflects the New Testament teaching that Jesus is the source of all spiritual life and blessings, as seen in passages likeJohn 1:16 andColossians 2:10. The concept of being "in Christ" is central to Pauline theology, signifying a union with Christ that transforms the believer's identity and status before God.

with every spiritual blessing
The term "every spiritual blessing" suggests the completeness and sufficiency of God's gifts to believers. These blessings are not material but spiritual, indicating their eternal and heavenly nature. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-20). The spiritual blessings include redemption, forgiveness, adoption as God's children, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as elaborated in the subsequent verses ofEphesians 1. These blessings are a foretaste of the eternal inheritance promised to believers.

in the heavenly realms
The phrase "in the heavenly realms" points to the spiritual dimension where these blessings originate and where believers' true citizenship lies (Philippians 3:20). It contrasts with the earthly realm, emphasizing the transcendence and superiority of spiritual realities over temporal ones. The "heavenly realms" also refer to the sphere of spiritual warfare, as mentioned later inEphesians 6:12, where believers are called to stand firm against spiritual forces. This phrase reassures believers of their secure position in Christ, seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and highlights the ultimate victory and authority of Christ over all spiritual powers.

To bless God is to speak well of Him, praising His character and deeds.Psalm 103:1 says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Paul begins with worship, reminding us that every good thing originates from the Father (James 1:17).

God is identified in relation to His Son. “Our” stresses personal relationship, not mere theology.John 20:17 records Jesus saying, “I ascend to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God,” tying believers directly to the same Father-Son fellowship. The lordship of Jesus means the blessings Paul is about to list come with the authority of the risen Christ (Matthew 28:18).

The verb is past tense—already accomplished. We don’t strive for these blessings; we receive them.2 Peter 1:3 affirms, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” The certainty of God’s action anchors our assurance.

Union with Christ is the channel of every gift. Outside of Him, none of these blessings are available (John 15:5). In Him, we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) and share His status as sons and heirs (Romans 8:17).

“Every” leaves nothing out. These are spiritual, not because they are intangible, but because they flow from the Holy Spirit:

• regeneration (John 3:5-6)

• adoption (Galatians 4:6-7)

• indwelling (1 Corinthians 6:19)

• sealing (Ephesians 1:13)

• empowerment for service (Acts 1:8)

Physical needs are met (Matthew 6:33), yet the emphasis here is on riches that cannot fade (1 Peter 1:4).

The location is the sphere where Christ now reigns (Ephesians 1:20). Our citizenship is already registered there (Philippians 3:20), and our lives are “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). Because these blessings reside where no enemy can reach, they remain secure (Romans 8:38-39).

Ephesians 1:3 calls believers to joyful praise because God the Father, through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, has already poured out the full measure of Spirit-given blessings. These blessings are comprehensive, secure in heaven, and ours by virtue of our union with Christ.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.--On this phrase (used inRomans 15:6;2Corinthians 1:3;2Corinthians 11:31;1Peter 1:3) see Note onRomans 15:6. It is, however, to be noted here, that in the Vatican MS. the words "and Father" are omitted, and that the phrase "the God of our Lord Jesus Christ" occurs below inEphesians 1:17. . . .

(1) the Author of our blessings;

(2) their nature and sphere;

(3) the Medium through whom we have them. . . .

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