You are here:
Bible Studies/Eph 1:3
Advertisement
Question
Hello = thankyou for taking my question. In Ephesians 1:3 paul states that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven: Am I interpreting this correctly to mean that this does not refer to material things, but rather, that we are blessed with things - some of which we cannot necessarily feel or experience here on earth, but are still greatly recognized and imparted to us by God in heaven? Could you help me understand this a little more? thanks. PETE
Great text, Pete. As always, look at the verses surrounding the passage for help in understanding it. Paul says that God blessed us with every spiritual blessing when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.
God's election of Christ was the election of all humanity. That's what it is to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven. God's plan for us is to be holy and blameless before Him. That plan will be accomplished because of Christ's redeeming blood.
The term "spiritual blessing" is not found in any other passage of the KJV or NASB or NRSV.
We should definitely be experiencing the blessedness of being chosen in Christ.
Take a look at the passage again and consider what the connection of it is to the verses around it. Can we agree?
I hope so.
Take care
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | The ultimate reason I ask is that I suffer from mental illness - once having began my relationship with God, by life has certainly been happier - but as you know, Unless God decided to perform a miracle, diseases do not go away any more than a person could grow back a leg they lost in an accident, unless God granted them that miracle. That being the case - since I cannot relate to the bible's promises of comfort, rivers of living water flowing from my belly, peace surpassing all understanding (due to having an ill mind)- then I thought maybe there were some blessing that have been imparted on me that are truely there but my disease simply keeps me from "Feeling" them | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
- Scott Talbot
- Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
- Marilyn
- Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine
- Brenda Martin
- Pastor Don Carpenter
- Edward Bode
- Dean Gade
- LEBoyd
- Rev Philip Dacre
- Mrs. Priscilla Lyons
- Germania Rodriguez
- Rev C.Brian Ross
- Judith Anne Krenek
- Mel and Guyna Horne
- Tom Smith
- Todd Tyszka
- Patricia Burns
- Jim Miller
- Clifford H. Readout, Jr.
- Roy Wallen
- Eric Christy
- Dennis Herman
- Kerry Gray
- Glenn Hansen
- J.M.J. West
- Samir
- J. Webb Mealy
- Kristopher Browning
- Joel Bjorling
- Reverend Ramona C. Stonecipher
Glenn Hansen
Expertise
I will gladly respond to questions on perfection, sanctification, justification, the seal of God, and the nature of Christ. I can also help people understand issues related to the ceremonial law and Decalogue in the New Testament. As an SDA, I read more than fifty of Ellen G. White's books in their entirety. I can answer questions about Adventism, from the perspective of a well read member for more than thirty years. Martin Luther's treatise, "The Freedom of a Christian Man" is one of my favorite Christian writings. If I am not comfortable answering a specific question, I will try to refer you to a good resource.
Experience
I was a Seventh day Adventist for more than thirty years.I have a special interest in the doctrines of justification, perfection, and the nature of Christ. I have spent the last several years in China and continue to live there.
Organizations
www.cleansanctuary.blogspot.com
www.LutherMelanchthon.blogspot.com
Publications
Good News Unlimited
Education/Credentials
I studied theology as an undergraduate and briefly attended seminary. I discovered, as a seminary student, that the most important learning takes place outside of the classroom.
Awards and Honors
Participant in the recent First International Wushu Competition in Zhengzhou, China.
Past/Present Clients
Community chaplain at California State Prison, Sacramento.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.