Ephesians 1
The first chapter of this epistle provides a glorious declaration of God's plan, purpose and method of salvation.
Summary of 1-5: The letter is written to the faithful (Ephesians 1:1) believers in Ephesus who were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) to be holy and without blame (Ephesians 1:4) and were predestinated to be adopted (Ephesians 1:5) according to God's will (Ephesians 1:5).
1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
This letter is not addressed to all who are in Ephesus, but to those who are "saints" and to those who are "faithful". There were undoubtedly those in Ephesus who were not believers, some of whom might become believers, others of whom will never repent. Paul knew the situation in Ephesus well. He had spent 3 years in Ephesus (Acts 20:26-31) laboring and weeping among them, detecting that there were some within who would rise up and try to lead others astray. Now, at this later date, he is writing to the faithful saints that have persevered.
Verse 4 declares that God chose or elected the faithful saints before the foundation of the world. This is a profound statement. But it also raises profound questions: Why did He choose some and not others? Is His selection or rejection based upon any particular criteria? Or did He choose for no reason at all? Honestly, it is a shame we even have to ask this question, as though God would choose for no reason at all, which is what many today suggest or even teach. However, God's purposes in election are clearly set forth in this first chapter. Note: The declaration that God chose before the foundation of the world is not intended to signify that there was no purpose for His selection or to hide His criteria for selection. And it was not intended either to rule out all criteria for His selection or to reveal the criteria for His selection of some and not others.
In order to understand what is stated in verse 4, we should first consider what other works God performed before the foundation of the world: (1) Matthew 25:34 tells us that the Kingdom of God was prepared for us from the foundation of the world. (2) 1 Peter 1:20 explains that Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world. (3) In Revelation 13:8 we are told that Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world. What these statements collectively tell us is that God had a complete plan before He created. And this complete plan involves our adoption according to His good pleasure and His will.
So what is His will and what brings Him the good pleasure which is the basis of this plan and selection? Should we quickly conclude that it must have nothing to do with what He knows of who we would be, how we would live, or how we would respond to the gift of His son? Should we be surprised to discover that who He chooses has everything to do with how we respond to Jesus?
Virtually all of Christianity embraces the view that God knows the future. Yet, some say He does not make all decisions based upon what He knows will happen; somehow some decisions are attributed to His intentinal ignorance of the future. Of course, such a view conflicts with the concept of an all-knowing God as well as with scripture. Consider the text of Revelation 13:8 which states that Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world. Was Jesus slain simply because it was the "good pleasure" of the Father to experience the crucificion of His Son? Such a statement is absurd when separated from the foreknowledge of an all-knowing God who well knew before the foundation of the world that Satan would tempt, Adam and Eve would sin, and all who came after them would be plagued with a sin nature incapable of residing with God, were it not for the cross upon which Jesus was ordained to shed His bled to atone for our sins. Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world because God knew, from the foundation of the world, that a plan was needed and Jesus was and is that plan of salvation for all those who will believe. It is not the death of Jesus, separate from God's foreknowledge, which brings God pleasure; it is His death knowing that accomplishes His purpose of saving those who believe from their sins that they might forever be together with Father, Son and Spirit in His kingdom. This is why Jesus "for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2b). As stated in Acts 2:23: "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death." God's entire perfect and glorious plan of salvation, determined before creation of the world, was premised upon His perfect knowledge of all that has or will transpire. Yet, we need to proceed further through this Chapter to fully grasp that the criteria for selection of some and rejection of others is no longer intended to be a mystery.
But, first we need to look a little into verse 5 where we are clearly informed that He chose for His pleasure. So, how would His choice bring Him pleasure? Now some would say that we are all equally guilty, and none would respond, and He blessed some by choosing them, for some hidden reason and He compels them to respond with His irresistible grace. It is perplexing why any would interpret the scriptures in this manner. If such were true, we should ask 2 questions.
1. Why didn't He then choose all and grant to all this irresistible grace? Or did He instead not want to choose all because He also wanted the pleasure of creating some for damnation, creating them with no capacity to respond? Honestly, that is a miserable accusation against God, to decide that God did not choose all because He wanted to create some solely to damn them. If you do not recognize this accusation, consider that it is exactly what Calvin taught.
2. Why did He not just birth those He chose, but instead chose to birth others who He did not desire to choose? Should we be satisfied with this explanation that it is a mystery that we do not understand. Or should we understand the mystery and know the answer to the question why He chose some? The answer is a resounding "yes" and Paul tells us precisely so in verse 9.
Verse 5 clearly states that He predestinated us. Too what? To adoption. So to say that He chose is to ultimately state that the chosen will be adopted and that this brings Him good pleasure. Again, the question we need to investigate is this: 'Why did He choose to adopt these?" Does His good pleasure involve a random choice or a mysterious choice; or was it based upon His knowledge of who He was choosing, based upon His knowledge of what they will do with Jesus? Those He knew would walk with Jesus are those He decided from the beginning that He will adopt and they will be His chosen people, and this selection was made before the foundation of the world; suggesting that it even explains His decision to create the world.
Summary of 6-10: We are accepted in Jesus (Ephesians 1:6) and have redemption and forgiveness through His blood (Ephesians 1:7). In His wisdom (Ephesians 1:8) He has revealed the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:9) and His purpose (Ephesians 1:9), which is to gather everything in Christ (Ephesians 1:10).
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him
11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
We are accepted! By His grace we have been placed in His Son! How will He make us accepted? In His beloved Son. Who will He make accepted? Those He chose. Whom did He choose? Those He knew would respond to the Gospel and walk with Jesus.
We are forgiven! He forgives those in His Son! Who did He place in His Son? Those He chose. Whom did He choose? Those He knew would respond to the Gospel (those who would with faith access His grace) and walk with Jesus. But we also see He knew we would confess our sins and forgive others. Otherwise, the conditions of 1 John 1:9 and Matthew 6:15 would not be satisfied. His promises are conditional; His election is of those He knows will fulfill the conditions. This is why the letter is addressed to the "saints" and the "faithful".
How did He abound towards us? By making known to us this mystery. What mystery? The mystery of His will. He grants to those He chooses knowledge of the mystery of His will. There is a mystery relating to His will. Why is this His will? Why does He take "pleasure in what He hath purposed"? What is this mystery? It is revealed in verses 10 through 13. Why is it called a mystery? Because it was not previously revealed.
The revelation of the mystery of His will: He desires to gather together . . . all things in Christ. But the gathering is in the fullness of time. For us, it is not yet. As we shall see, it is what we will inherit; it is our inheritance.
We have been predestinated! To what? Have we have been predesinated to be the praise of his glory (verse 12)? Or have we been predesinated to this inheritance (as stated in beginning of this verse)? Well, either way, who is it that is predestinated? Clearly, it is "we". And who are we? Those He chose. And who did He choose to grant this inheritance? Those He foreknew 1 Peter 1:2. according to the purpose - it is again expressly stated - God makes a purposeful predestination. Both our election and our destination, our appointment and our decree are according to His purpose. What is the purpose? Is it merely to randomly save some, but destroy others? Or is the purpose to forever be with and shape those whom He knows will respond with love to the love He poured out through His Son? Is His purpose to choose some to be with Him and to choose to create others that He knows He shall destroy? If the latter is not true, then why did He not choose all? Is there pleasure in knowing that those you chose to respond did respond - that you compelled them to respond and they did? Or is His pleasure from choosing those who out of their free will respond to His Son, cling to Him, trust Him and willingly follow Him?
Now it is important to note:
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Paul now
NOTE:
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come 22 And He put all [things] under His feet, and gave Him [to be] head over all [things] to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Verse
NOTE: Unconditional.
Note: Nowhere in this Chapter did Paul shift his focus from
The difficulties
1There are a limited number of verses 1:12 Or is the purpose here and in verse 13 - is the purpose that we should be to the praise of His glory, living faithfully and set apart for Him? 1:13 Why the sudden switch from "we" as used in verses 3 - 12 (who first trusted in Christ - verse 12) or "us" to "you" (the faithful saints of verse 1) in verse 13? What does it mean that you have been sealed or "stamped"? Isn't the answer in 14? See +Topics: Seal The seal is not circumcision, not baptism, not the Lord's supper, and not even the graces of the Spirit; but the Spirit Himself. Is it protection, or is it a mark of authenticiy. A notary seal, wax seal, embedded seal - all used to authenticate and represent the owner. Seals used to close a document were intended to indicate whether the document had been opened or tampered with since you could not open the document without destroying the seal. 1 Kings 21:8, Esther 3:12, Esther 8:8 It meant the document was authentic; it is not a statement about the contents of the document. It is a statement that the contents are reliable and have not been altered. The recipient knew that it was exactly what it states. Whether it states that there are conditions to a promise or no conditions is unrelated the the document seal. See Matthew 27:66 and my verse notes. For example in Esther 3:12 Haman received sealed letters from Xerxes, King of Persia, to destroy all Jews. Now under their law, anything written by the king and sealed could not be changed. But in Esther 8:8 we see a new order that permitted the Jews to defend themself. Again it was authentic by the seal. The second letter did not void the first letter, but it certainly altered the application. Ephesians 4:30 states we are sealed until the day of redemption. We can be certain that the promise remains valid through the redemption. But what is the promise? Is it conditional? In any case, 4:30 seems to be simply a summary reference to Ephesians 1:13-14 So we have this precious promise which is authenticated by our receipt of the Holy Spirit which we are to rely upon until the transaction is completed and we have received our full redemption, which is on a future day. The question is whether the promise has conditions. This verse assures as the promise is true. Is it like Song 8:6 When are we sealed? after that ye believed But when is the election made? before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) So how can this be equivalent to marking the elect? Notice the order: hear . . . believe . . . sealed with the Holy Spirit (received the Holy Spirit) Note that Calvinism teaches that the rebirth precedes and effectually brings about repentance and faith 1:14 we are given the Holy Spirit as a mark or "stamp" certifying His promise to complete the redemption 1:15 Wherefore - to what does Paul refer? Probably that we are all one in Christ (10) faith . . . and love - this was their testimony Now Paul switches to "I". 1:16 verses 16-20 +Topics: Prayer in my prayers - also see Ephesians 3:16 and Colossians 1:9 and Colossians 4:2 1:17 God of our Lord Jesus Christ - to Whom did Jesus pray? To His God and Father, the Lord of glory - see Ephesians 1:3 wisdom - involves doing the spirit - is this the human spirit or the Holy Spirit? Isaiah 11 and Luke 11 We have both the Holy Spirit and a human spirit. So what is Paul asking? in the knowledge of Him - this is the key and focus - to find wisdom and revelation in the this intimate knowledge of God. 1:18 that ye may know 1) hope of His calling 2) riches of the glory of HIS inheritance - 2 Thessalonians 1:10 3) exceeding greatness of His power as seen in: A) in raising Christ B) seating Him in glory C) putting all things under Him D) making Him head over all the eyes of your understanding being enlightened - the prayer is to have God's light bring us understanding If we prayed this way, we might get answers to the questions: why the lack of maturity, why the lack of growth, why the lack of power. Examples: Jeremiah 2:13 Malachi 3:7 Philippians 3:10-12 - most Christians live their Christian life, but miss Christ 348 unreached people groups in North America?? we are surrounded by those who Christ adores, and do we care?