Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Blessed (euloghtov). Verbal of eulogew, common in the LXX for Hebrew baruk (Vulgate benedictus) and applied usually to God, sometimes to men (Genesis 24:31), but in N.T. always to God (Luke 1:68), while euloghmenov (perfect passive participle) is applied to men (Luke 1:42). "While euloghmenov points to an isolated act or acts, euloghtov describes the intrinsic character" (Lightfoot). Instead of the usual euxaristoumen (Colossians 1:3) Paul here uses euloghtov, elsewhere only in 2 Corinthians 1:3 in opening, though in a doxology in Romans 1:25; Romans 9:5; 2 Corinthians 11:31. The copula here is probably estin (is), though either estw (imperative) or eih (optative as wish) will make sense.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (o qeov kai pathr tou Kuriou hmwn Ihsou Xristou). Kai is genuine here, though not in Colossians 1:3. The one article (o) with qeov kai pathr links them together as in 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Galatians 1:4. See also the one article in 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:11. In Ephesians 1:17 we have o qeov tou Kuriou hmwn Ihsou Xristou, and the words of Jesus in John 20:17.
Who hath blessed us (o euloghsav umav). First aorist active participle of eulogew, the same word, antecedent action to the doxology (euloghtov).
With (en). So-called instrumental use of en though
in is clear.
Every spiritual blessing (pash eulogiai pneumatikh). Third use of the root eulog (verbal, verb, substantive). Paul lovingly plays with the idea. The believer is a citizen of heaven and the spiritual blessings count for most to him.
In the heavenly places in Christ (en toiv epouranioiv en Xristw). In four other places in Eph. (Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12). This precise phrase (with en) occurs nowhere else in the N.T. and has a clearly local meaning in Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10, doubtful in Ephesians 6:12, but probably so here. In Ephesians 2:6 the believer is conceived as already seated with Christ. Heaven is the real abode of the citizen of Christ's kingdom (Philippians 3:20) who is a stranger on earth (Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 2:19). The word epouraniov (heavenly) occurs in various passages in the N.T. in contrast with ta epigeia (the earthly) as in John 3:12; 1 Corinthians 15:40, 1 Corinthians 15:48-49; Philippians 2:10, with patriv (country) in Hebrews 11:16, with klhsiv (calling) in Hebrews 3:1, with dwrea (gift) in Hebrews 6:4, with basileia (kingdom) in 2 Timothy 4:18.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Romans 15:6
2 Corinthians 1:3
Ephesians 1:4
Hebrews 1:3
1 Peter 1:3
Revelation 2:5
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
E-mail this page
