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Ephesians 1:11

in Ephesians 1

In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;

KJV

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:

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This verse in Ephesians 1

Commentary

3 notes on this verse
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance - We who are Christians. Most commentators suppose that by the word “we” the Jews particularly are intended, and that it stands in contradistinction from “ye,” as referring to the Gentiles, in Eph 1:13. This construction, they suppose is demanded by the nature of the passage. The meaning may then be, that the Jews who were believers had “first” obtained a part in the plan of redemption, as the offer was first made to them, and then that the same favor was conferred also on the Gentiles.

This site's exposition

we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated

on Ephesians 1:11-12

We in verses eleven and twelve reads to many commentators as the Jewish believers who first trusted in Christ, hoi proelpikotes, set against ye also in verse thirteen where the Gentile readers are addressed by name; Wesley and Barnes both note the shift though not all agree it is intentional. Predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will restates the Tier A question of verses four and five in the strongest terms the chapter offers, and the same readings and holders apply without a verdict repeated here. The purpose named is doxological rather than merely personal, that we should be to the praise of his glory.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Christians are said to have obtained this inheritance, as they have a present right to it, and even actual possession of it, in Christ their head and representative. The seal and earnest of the Spirit are of the number of these blessings. We are said to be sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,

The words behind it

17 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 8:29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.764 worksPhilippians 2:13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.58 worksRomans 8:28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.54 worksProverbs 19:21Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.48 worksRomans 8:30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.40 worksEphesians 1:5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,35 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Job 42:2“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.24 works1 Peter 1:4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,22 worksIsaiah 46:10–11I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’20 worksPsalms 115:3Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.19 worksPsalms 33:11The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.17 worksColossians 1:12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.17 worksEphesians 3:11according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.16 works2 Timothy 1:9He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.16 worksEphesians 1:14who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.15 worksDaniel 4:35All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”14 worksEcclesiastes 9:11I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.14 worksEphesians 1:18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,14 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Romans 8:28

    And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

    it leads to

    • 1 Peter 5:10

      And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish…

    • James 1:12

      Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

    • Genesis 50:20

      As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

    • Romans 5:3–5

      Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

    • 1 Corinthians 2:9

      Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

  • Through

    Ephesians 1:14

    who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

    it leads to

    • 2 Corinthians 1:22

      placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

    • 2 Corinthians 5:5

      And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.

    • Ephesians 4:30

      And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Where this verse is studied

About Ephesians

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
Ephesians: the study guide →Read Ephesians 1 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

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