The phrase, “heavenly places” is mentioned five times in this epistle. Those who are described as being “in Christ” belong to this realm and enjoy every spiritual blessing. Therefore, there are two separate realms of existence that form a tension for the child of God; namely, the temporary physical existence on earth and spiritual existence with Christ. In the three other times, the phrase is used, it is the sphere to which the risen Christ has been exalted and sits enthroned at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 1:20), where those who have been risen with Christ sit with Him (2:6), where principalities and powers see the manifold wisdom of God through the called out, where forces of evil are defeated by saints who equip themselves with the armor of God (6:12).
The blessings are listed early in this chapter. He has “chosen us before the foundation of the world,” “predestinated us to be to the praise of His glory,” (verse 7), given us redemption through His blood, forgiven our sins according to the riches of His grace (verse 8), and offered an inheritance. After each blessing that is listed, the text repeats that it is available “in Christ” to emphasize how God chose to bless the human race; namely, in and through Jesus Christ.
Paul gives us the big picture regarding God’s plan before the foundation of the world (cf. eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ”). He says in verse 3,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ.”
The purpose of His will is to create a people for His own possession and praise (cf. Exodus 19: 1 Peter 1:20, Eph. 1:11). The “called out” people (ekklesia) are the product of His master plan to redeem man who has fallen from his creator. From Adam to Christ, the events of human history lead to this fulfillment.
Second, God energizes its accomplishment. Verse 11 reads, “Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” The word “worketh” in Greek is energeo from which we get energetic, energize or energy. The idea is that whatever God plans, he energizes its accomplishment. He brings it to fruition. Paul wrote to them that God, who had begun a good work in them will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He always finishes what he starts. The word is used again in verse 19, in which he writes of “the working of His mighty power” and offers an example of his power in the resurrection of Christ in verse 20.
If God works out what he plans, then it is implied that God’s plan can’t be changed. He is emphasizing this principle of God’s character in Romans 8 when he explains that if God sets his love upon us, who can separate us from it? If He says, “I don’t condemn you,” who is he that condemns? If he promises, “I don’t hold any charge against you, who will lay any charge against you? In other words, when God works out a plan or gives a promise, he will work the plan and promise to its completion.
Third, these spiritual blessings that are enumerated in chapter one are also shared with Gentiles. Paul positions chapter one and two in such a way that the “us” and “our” and “we” appear to be the Jews and the break is made in verse 13-14 when he writes, “in whom, ye also… (cf. “us” and “our”). He writes,
In whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory.
This corresponds to the promise in Acts 2:38-39 of the Holy Spirit to the Jews and to those afar off. Just like the Jews were promised the gift of the Holy Spirit upon repenting and being baptized, so the Gentiles are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The inheritance is part of the spiritual blessings in Christ referenced in verse three. The seal with the “Holy Spirit of promise” is the guarantee of our inheritance. In other words, it offers visible proof that they are His children.