The Longest Sentence in the New Testament: Ephesians 1:3-14

The longest sentence in the New Testament is Ephesians 1:3-14, which spans across 12 verses and forms one continuous sentence in the original Greek text with over 200 words.

I have listed below 3 different translation of the same verse with their word count.

See also: Bible words that mean peace

The Longest Sentence in the New Testament (Ephesians 1:3-14)

ESV (English Standard Version) - 202 Words

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

NIV (New International Version) - 201 Words

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory."

KJV (King James Version) - 218 Words

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

The Three-Part Structure

Verses 3-6: The Father's Plan

• Chose us before creation
• Predestined us for adoption
• Goal: praise of His glory

Verses 7-12: The Son's Work

• Redemption through Christ's blood
• Forgiveness of sins
• Reveals God's mystery

Verses 13-14: The Spirit's Seal

• Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit
• Spirit guarantees our inheritance
• All for God's glory

Other Long New Testament Sentences

Other notably long Bible sentences include:

• Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's 7-verse opening greeting (approximately 93 words in ESV)
• Colossians 1:9-20 - Extended sentence on Christ's supremacy (approximately 168 words in ESV)
• Revelation 1:4-7 - John's greeting and doxology (approximately 72 words in ESV)
• Luke 1:1-4 - Luke's formal preface (approximately 86 words in ESV)

Key Takeaways

What this passage teaches us:

• Everything points to God's glory - The repeated phrase "to the praise of his glory"
• Complete timeline - Past election, present redemption, future inheritance
• Three in one - Father plans, Son accomplishes, Spirit seals
• Unified purpose - All of salvation fits together in God's perfect plan
• Abundant grace - God's blessings flow continuously and unstoppably