Ephesians chapter 1, particularly verses 3 through 14, is one of the most glorious texts in all of sacred Scripture. For the believer it beautifully portrays the blessing that salvation is and the various fruits that flow from it. Truths such as us being adopted by God and being heirs to a great inheritance pervades chapter . As others have noted, these verses are one sentence in the Greek, a fact which speaks to just how enraptured Paul was when he considered the salvation that the Lord bestows on his people.
While it is indeed glorious, there is another truth which emerges as one reads through it. What is it and how does it further add glory to God? Well I am glad that you asked. When you read through the verses it becomes abundantly clear that salvation is a trinitarian affair. In verse 1, Paul begins by blessing the Father, “Blessed is the God and Father…” And all through the verses, the Father’s actions are on display, he “chooses,” he “predestines,” and he “grants an inheritance”. The text reveals that our salvation was planned by the Father.
However it is not just the Father who is featured in the text, the Son is highlighted as well. There are no less than 8 references to being “in Christ” or “in Him.” This speaks to the Son’s role in salvation, that is, the Son was the one who purchased our salvation. Paul summarizes this truth by writing that in Christ we have been redeemed.
Lastly, the Spirit is involved as well. In short we can say that the Spirit proves our salvation. At the end of verse 13 Paul writes: “…you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Notice how we were given the Spirit as a seal, which like a seal on a letter proves the authenticity of it, the Spirit proves that we are God’s and rightful inheritors of salvation.
Salvation is a trinitarian affair, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all involved. A proper response to this truth is doxology, doxology akin to the way Paul begins Ephesians and bursts into in other letters. May we see, appreciate, and live out the truth of our salvation to the glory of our triune God and amen!