Paul opens Ephesians with one of the New Testament's greatest blessings — a panoramic vision of what God has done for the believer in Christ, reaching back before creation itself and forward to the praise of His glory. The purpose is worship, not theological argument.

From the writers we read together

BibleProject

Biblical Theology Resource, Tim Mackie and Jon Collins

BibleProject reads the opening of Ephesians as the climax of the entire biblical narrative: the God who called Abraham, who chose Israel, who sent His Son — has been moving toward this moment from before creation itself. The election Paul describes is not a cold decree but the warm, purposeful reaching of a God who wants a family. 'Adoption as sons' is the goal; 'to the praise of his glorious grace' is the outcome.

This passage should produce wonder before it produces debate. Paul's point is doxological: every spiritual blessing — chosen, predestined, adopted, accepted — flows from a grace so excessive it was planned before the world existed. You were in God's heart before the first star burned. What does it do to your sense of worth and purpose to know that your inclusion in God's family was purposed before time began?