Ephesians 1:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

NIV: to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment--to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

NASB: regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

CSB: as a plan for the right time--to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.

NLT: And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ — everything in heaven and on earth.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

Paul's mention of "the fullness of time" refers to "just the right time." Paul used the same phrase in Galatians 4:4, noting, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son." The emphasis is on God's perfect timing, which brings all of His plans together.

Unity is yet another important theme in this letter. Church leaders are to equip saints "until we all attain to the unity of the faith" (Ephesians 4:13). Paul was also "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

Paul specifically notes that "all things" includes "things in heaven and things on earth." There was both a spiritual and physical component to Paul's discussion of unity. Paul will later address these spiritual realities in chapter 6, in his discussion of the armor of God. He notes in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Paul clearly saw the need to discuss both the spiritual and physical, covering all areas in which God operates.

Ephesians 1:3–14 praises God for the blessings He has provided. Paul ties together the ideas of predestination, God's glory, the salvation of His people, and the rights we have as children of God. In particular, believers are blessed because God chose, before creation, to save us. That salvation came at a great cost: the death of Jesus Christ. As children of God, we can be confident that God will give us what He has promised: namely, an eternity with Him in heaven.

The first chapter of Ephesians contains two main passages. The first describes the blessings Christians have been given as a result of our salvation through Christ. Paul explains these through praises directed to God the Father. The second section both commends the Ephesians for their reputation, and prays that Christ would bring them into an even fuller and more aware faith.

The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Later chapters will build on these ideas as Paul connects who we are in Christ to how we should live as Christians.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.