Note 1 at Eph. 1:3: After a short greeting, Paul gets right to the point. He starts praising God for the great spiritual blessings which we already have in Christ. This is his theme through chapter 3.

Note 2 at Eph. 1:3: The phrase "who hath blessed us" in Greek is in the aorist tense which means that there was a point of time in the past when all these blessings were obtained and given to us. Paul is describing what is already ours. These are not blessings to be sought after but rather blessings to be discovered and enjoyed. Those who have put their faith in Christ are not headed to a victory but they are coming from a victory.

Note 3 at Eph. 1:3: "In heavenly places" carries the idea of "in the spiritual realm" (see note 25 at 1 Cor. 14:37, p. 952). "In Christ" we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings. These things are now spiritual realities. Our spiritual man is already complete (see note 3 at Mt. 26:41, p. 507). As we believe and act in faith, these spiritual blessings become physical realities (see note 50 at Mt. 7:8, p. 138).

The phrase, "in heavenly places" is used four times in this letter to the Ephesians (here; 1:20; 2:6; 3:10). In the other three references, it is clear that Paul is speaking about real places which are beyond Earth's atmosphere.

Here is a partial list of some of these blessings which Paul mentions in the first two chapters of this letter: We have been adopted as God's children (Eph. 1:5); we have redemption through Jesus' blood (Eph. 1:7); the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:7); we have obtained an inheritance (Eph. 1:11); have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13); have been given the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20) have been made the one new man (Eph. 2:15); have been made fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God (Eph. 2:19); and have become a holy temple in the Lord (Eph. 2:21), a habitation of God (Eph. 2:22); etc.