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Ephesians 1:3

Back to The Bible's Difficult Scriptures Explained!


“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”8i

Does this passage teach that Christians receive all their “spiritual blessings” later, after they “go to heaven”?

The problem is a mistranslation. The verse should properly conclude with “…all spiritual blessings which are enjoyed in heaven in Christ.” Malachi 3:9-10 explains that God blesses those who obey him today with the ability to enjoy the same excitement and thrills that He enjoys spiritually now! Recognize that spiritual blessings almost invariably precede physical blessings, anyway. If this happened the other way around, it would probably destroy Christians—prosperity would choke them, leaving them with little need to seek God for their daily needs, and for protection and guidance.

Also, Psalm 16:11 reveals Christians will one day in the kingdom of God only then truly experience “fullness of joy” as well as “pleasures for evermore” after receiving salvation. It was this part of salvation to which Paul referred—to these “blessings [enjoyed] in heavenly places.”

No suggested reading.