Ephesians: In the Heavenly Realms


Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 1:1-3

– The Bible Teacher's Commentary –

Paul J. Bucknell

These Bible study questions are designed to challenge a person or group to understand the meaning of the text as well as applying it to their lives. Try to understand why the apostle wrote such things. These studies are free to copy without permission.


Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 1:1-3

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:1-3, NASB).

  1. Who wrote the Book of Ephesians? How do you know? (Ephesians 1:1)

  2. What did Paul go through in life to get to this point of being an apostle (See Acts for his history)?

  3. Why is Paul writing this letter to the Ephesians (See Acts 19 for background)?

  4. Why do you think the letter was named The Book of Ephesians (1:1)? {Actually, the words ‘at Ephesus’ are not in the earliest manuscripts. We are not sure the words are there. It could have been left out as it was meant to be sent to a number of churches. We should note there was a lack of personal matter that is usually at the end of his letters).

  5. What are the two ways that Paul describes these Christians in Ephesus?

  6. What does the first mean? Look it up in a Bible Dictionary and compare your answer.

  7. What might it mean to be ‘faithful in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:1)? Does it refer more to our coming to believe in Christ or our growing in our belief in Him or both?

  8. What are the two things that God the Father has given to His people (Ephesians 1:2)?

  9. Define each of them the best you can.

  10. Observe how many times the word ‘Christ’ is mentioned just in verses 1:1-3. What are the different ways that He is referred to? What is the slight difference of meaning with each phrase?

  11. Derivatives from the root word ‘blessed’ is used three times in verse 3. Notice the NASB version that reflects this. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (Ephesians 1:3). Underline the usages.

  12. What place does God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ have in our salvation?

  13. What is a spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)?

  14. What is the difference between earthly and spiritual blessings?

  15. What more could the Lord have given to us? Do we ever have reason to doubt our circumstances or provisions that we have in any given situation?

  16. What does heavenlies (literally) or ‘heavenly places’ mean? If you have time, explore the five times it is used in the Book of Ephesians?

  17. Why do people often doubt God’s sincerity in giving us the best? What is reflected in these first three verses? Give 3-5 adjectives to describe what God has done for us? Provide another 3-5 adjectives that describe how we should respond to Him?

  18. Reflect on your periods of worship. Do you really worship Him like Paul does in verse 2 says or do you just say great things about Him?

  19. Since all the spiritual blessings are in the heavenlies, it is important for these blessings to impact our earthly life right now. Name a few ways this can be done in your life.


  20. Share and pray about three ways you would want God to show you more truths about these spiritual blessings so that you can grow to be a strong saint.

Read commentary on Ephesians 1:1-3 Next =>


 Read more exciting and practical articles on the Book of Ephesians.

Introduction to the Book of Ephesians

Paul's Second Missonary Journey to Ephesus - Map
Chronology Chart of Pauline Letters
Ephesians 1:1-3 Introduction in text.

Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual Blessing

Ephesians 1:1-3 Every Spiritual Blessing
Ephesians 1:1 Only by the Will of God
Ephesians 1:2 Only in Christ Jesus
Ephesians 1:3 Every Spiritual Blessing
Ephesians 1:1-3 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 1:4-6 Bible Study Questions
Ephesians 1:1-14 Redemption & Sovereignty
Ephesians 1:15-17 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:1-3 Our Need, His Grace

Ephesians 2:1-3, an Introduction
Ephesians 2:1 A) Man's Nature
Ephesians 2:2 B) Man's World
Ephesians 2:3 C) Man's Heart
Questions (Ephesians 2:1-3)


Ephesians 2:8-10 Extraordinary Purpose
Ephesians 2:8-10, an Introduction
Ephesians 2:8-9 A) Purpose of Salvation
Ephesians 2:10 B) Purpose of our Lives
Questions (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Ephesians 2:19-22 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3:1-10 Growing in Our Commitment
Ephesians 3:1-10, Introduction
Ephesians 3:1 The Value of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:2-5 The Reliability of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:6-7 The Glory of the Gospel
Ephesians 3:8-10 The Calling of the Gospel
Questions (Ephesians 3:1-10)

Ephesians 3:14-21 The Fullness of God's Love

Ephesians 3:20-21 God's Unlimited Power
Ephesians 3:20-21 Unlimited Power
Ephesians 3:20 God's Amazing Power
Ephesians 3:21 God's Amazing Glory
Ephesians 3:20-21 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1-3 Preserving the Spirit's Unity

Intro: Problems of Disunity
Ephesians 4:1 Calling to Unity
Ephesians 4:2-3 Our Oneness of the Body
Ephesians 4:3 Preservation of Unity
Ephesians 4:1-3 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:11-16 The Purpose of Training

Ephesians 4:11-13: A) God's Word in the Church
Ephesians 4:11 Gifts in the church
Ephesians 4:12 Purpose of equipping
Ephesians 4:13 The final goal
Ephesians 4:11-13 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:14 B) Responsibility 1. Deceit
Ephesians 4:15a 2. Speaking the truth in love
Ephesians 4:15b 3. Grow up into Christ
Ephesians 4:16 Summary: Function of the Church
Ephesians 4:14-16 Bible Study Questions

Ephesians 4:11-14 Chart: Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4:26-27 The Urgency of Resolving Anger
Ephesians 4:31 The Tree of Bitterness

Ephesians 5-6

Ephesians 5:22,24 Wives be Subject to your Husband
Ephesians 5:25 Marital Love
Ephesians 5:31-32 Redemptive Analogy & Marriage
Ephesians 5:31-33 Building a Great Marriage
Ephesians 6:1-3 Obedience to Parents
Ephesians 6:17 Sword of Spirit



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Biblical Foundations for Freedom


Paul J. Bucknell


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