Ephesians | Session 3 | 1:7-9

In our study today we find Paul telling the Ephesian believers that they have been redeemed through the blood of Christ because of the richness of God's grace and that his ministry since his salvation was to make all men see the revelation of the mystery that was revealed to him.  

Verse 7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; In Christ, we have redemption through his blood. The redemption that we have in Christ results in the forgiveness of sins and it is all by his grace. 

The concept of redemption was not new because Job spoke of in Job 19:25. By definition, redemption means to lose control of something and to buy it back, e.g., the garden and Calvary (Isaiah 59:20; Romans 3:23, 25). By the way, we were not redeemed from the Law because we were never under it, but the fall (Hebrews 9:12-14, 22; 1 Peter1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). 

Verse 8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Grace made it possible. He did it in his wisdom and prudence. It is not saying that he gave us some kind of spiritual insight as some would suggest. 

Verse 9: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: What is the mystery of his will? I believe he is referring to the Paulene mystery because it has now been made known. He is referring back to verses 4-5 when he said that we have been chosen in him before the foundation of the world and have been predestined for adoption. It is almost verbatim. 

This is the mystery that was revealed to Paul (Romans 16:25). The Twelve and Jesus did not preach this gospel, period. In Ephesians 3:8-9, Paul said that it was unsearchable because it was purposefully hidden until it was revealed to him. 

The mystery was not just that Gentiles would also be saved. It also included: 1. the grace gospel offered salvation apart from the Law (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 16:25); 2. redemption through his blood by his sacrifice, not from the Law, but sin; 3. justification as a result of our faith in that completed work; 4. our baptism into the Body of Christ; 5. the postponement as a result of the setting aside of the nation; 6. the Rapture of the Body of Christ, etc. 

The Scripture saw the Second Coming, but it couldn't have seen the Rapture because it did not see the postponement (Colossians 1:23-26). Yet, today as then, Paul has been rejected. Most in the organized church today do not believe in the Rapture, and far too many reject the writings of Paul.