Ephesians 1:11-14To: Ephesians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Ephesians 1:11 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. "in whom also" - reference to the Christian's union with the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle continues to enumerate the benefits of our position as members of the royal family of God. At the time of his personal salvation, the Christian believer enters into a spiritual union with Jesus Christ and remains in that position forever. There is a wide class of Bible teaching on the subject of the Christian's position in (union with) Jesus Christ. Union with Christ makes available to the believer a great number of spiritual benefits. These benefits can be used and enjoyed continuously during the believer's remaining lifetime and will continue into eternity. Topic: UNION WITH CHRIST -------------------- "we have obtained an inheritance" - (kleirow): "to be appointed by lot". Thus, "in Jesus Christ our lot is cast"; our future is tied up in His; we share His destiny. From (kleiros), "lot", used two ways since the time of Homer: (1) "a lot which is drawn, or cast", and (2) "a lot of land; an allotment". The lot on which your house stands is your allotment. You might have bought it; you might have had it given to you; you might have inherited it. Casting lots was often done by Greek and Roman soldiers in dividing the spoil. All the loot was brought to one place and dice were thrown. Or, soldiers were allowed to choose: heroes first, senior soldiers next, then the rest. The soldiers drew lots for the clothing of Christ while He was being crucified. (kleiros) is closely related to (kleironomia) "inheritance" in the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The words are synonymous when used in Joshua 17:4. Josh. 17:4 "And they came near before Eleazar the priest and before Joshua the son of Nun and before the leaders, saying, 'The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance (Heb: NACHALAH; LXX: kleironomia) among our brothers.' So according to the command of the Lord he gave them an inheritance (Heb: nachalah; LXX: kleiros) among their father's brothers." The word NACHALAH is used extensively in the OT, so here is another case where Paul will give Jewish readers a direct connection between something they understand and a new doctrine. Topic: HOPE Topic: INHERITANCE -------------------- "according to the purpose": (prothesis), "a problem selected, approved, outlined - ahead of time" God designed ahead of time everything we need for inner happiness and prosperity. The plan is revealed in His Word. To fill in the "outline of the thesis", we learn the Word; we do research. We can know God's purpose by learning the Word of God "line upon line, precept upon precept." -------------------- "of Him": genitive of source. God the Father is the source of the design. -------------------- "who works": (energew), "to put something into action". God the Father has put the plan into action. And He put the details of His plan into His Word. All we need is a positive attitude toward the teaching. All of the power of God is expressed in the phrase "the works of God." He is omnipotent - so He has all powerful capability to carry out His work. He is omniscient - so He knows exactly what work to accomplish and how to do it. He is omnipresent - so He is present everywhere to carry out his work. Furthermore, God is love - so He has humanity's best interests in mind as He carries out His plan. -------------------- "according to the counsel": (boulei), "purpose; counsel; decision; resolution; plan" -------------------- "of His will: (theleima), "will", thus "the will of God". Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. See notes on Ephesians 1:6. Topic: GLORY OF GOD Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after 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. -------------------- "in whom": again, a reference to the Christian's position in Christ. -------------------- "you also": reference to all believers who were recipients of this letter, and by extension, all believers. (trusted) - not in original At this point the King James translators introduced the word "trusted." Most KVJ Bibles will have the word in italics. The reason was probably that it was inserted for clarity, because the concept of a person's having believed in Christ shows up later in the verse. Here is the New American Standard version of verse 13. Eph. 1:13 (NAS) "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise," -------------------- "you heard": aor. act. part. of (akouw), "having heard" The action of a Greek aorist participle precedes the action of the main verb "sealed". This indicates, grammatically, that hearing and believing precede the indwelling and sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit. The process then is: (1) you hear the Gospel; (2) you believe the Gospel: and (3) you receive salvation, the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in you, and this is the seal of your salvation. -------------------- "the word of truth": i.e., the expression of doctrine. The only way to get the gospel is by hearing it. The only way to learn Bible truth is to take it in. "the gospel of your salvation": (euaggelion), "good news". There are many ways to express the Gospel. And it is very interesting and useful in personal evangelism to work out various ways to explain the plan of salvation to people. One approach is to think of Salvation as that which overcomes the impossible barriers that lie between man and God. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." And, "the wages of sin is death." But, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Topic: THE BARRIER: RECONCILIATION, PROPITIATION -------------------- "having believed": aor. act. participle (pisteuw), "having believed"; with "having heard" also precedes the action of "sealed". -------------------- "you were sealed": aor. pass. indicative of (sphragidzw), "stamped with a seal" COMMENT
"with the Holy Spirit of promise": "by means of the Holy Spirit which was promised" Ephesians 1:14 Who is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. -------------------- "who": a reference to the Holy Spirit Topic: THE HOLY SPIRIT -------------------- "is the earnest": (arrabon), "installment; deposit; down payment". Thus, "a pledge on a contract"; the Holy Spirit is a pledge given by God that eternal life is promised to the believer. -------------------- "of our inheritance": (kleironomia), "inheritance; legacy" We inherit all things because of our union with Christ, Rom. 8:16,17; Gal. 4:7 -------------------- "until the redemption": (eis + apolutrosis), "because of the redemption". In this case, the resurrection of the body which is the physical redemption of the believer entering eternity. The word redemption implies that a ransom price has been paid, that we have been purchased. See Eph. 1:7. Topic: REDEMPTION -------------------- "of the purchased possession: (peripoeisis), "property; something paid for". The believer is God's property. We are "bought with a price." -------------------- "unto the praise": (epainos), "praise" -------------------- "of His glory": (doxa), "glory", the perfect character of God. -------------------- Summarizing the passage: Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have received a destiny, having been predesigned according to a predeter-mined plan from the one who put all things into operation according to his will and purpose. Ephesians 1:12 For the purpose that we should exist for great praise of God's character, we who previously had trusted in Christ. Ephesians 1:13 In whom you also, having heard the gospel, the word of your salvation, and having believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit which was promised. Ephesians 1:14 Who is the down payment of our inheritance because of the redemption of the possession for the maximum praise of His glory. End of Ephesians Lesson 5 Warren Doud [ Grace Notes] 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Phone: 512-458-8923 E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com |
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