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Ephesians 1:5

in Ephesians 1

He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

KJV

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

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This verse in Ephesians 1

Commentary

3 notes on this verse
Having predestinated us - On the meaning of the word here used, see the notes at Rom 1:4; Rom 8:29, note. The word used πρωρίζω prōrizō means properly “to set bounds before;” and then to “pre-determine.” There is the essential idea of setting bounds or limits, and of doing this beforehand. It is not that God determined to do it when it was actually done, but that he intended to do it beforehand. No language could express this more clearly, and I suppose this interpretation is generally admitted.

This site's exposition

he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world

on Ephesians 1:4-5

Chosen us in him before the foundation of the world and predestinated us unto the adoption of children read two ways among the letter's own heirs: Calvin and the Reformed line take election of particular persons to salvation, unconditional and eternal, while Wesley and the Arminian line read a corporate election in the Beloved, of all who by foreseen faith are found in him. Both readings anchor the choice in Christ rather than in the person chosen apart from him, in him standing at the head of both verses. The end named is holy and without blame before him in love, a character given as the goal whichever reading a reader holds.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Having predestinated us to the adoption of sons - Having foreordained that all who afterwards believed should enjoy the dignity of being sons of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. According to the good pleasure of his will - According to his free, fixed, unalterable purpose to confer this blessing on all those who should believe in Christ, and those only.

The words behind it

15 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 8:29–30For 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.50 worksPhilippians 2:13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.40 worksEphesians 1:11In 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,35 worksGalatians 3:26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.34 worksGalatians 4:5–6to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.30 worksRomans 8:30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.28 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Romans 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”27 worksJohn 1:12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—24 works1 John 3:1Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.23 worksRomans 8:14–17For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.18 worksRomans 8:23Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.16 works2 Corinthians 6:18And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”15 worksRevelation 21:7The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.11 worksHosea 1:10Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’11 worksGalatians 1:15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased11 worksIsaiah 53:10Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.10 worksJeremiah 3:19Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.9 worksRomans 9:11–16Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,9 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

    John 1:12

    But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

    it leads to

    • Galatians 3:26

      You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

      Reached by 2 separate paths from here.

    • Romans 8:14

      For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

    • 1 John 3:1

      Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is…

    • 2 Corinthians 6:17–18

      “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

    • Galatians 4:6

      And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

  • Through

    1 John 3:1

    Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is…

    it leads to

    • John 1:12

      But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—

    • 2 Corinthians 6:18

      And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

  • Through

    Ephesians 1:11

    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,

    it leads to

    • 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.

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); John Calvin, Commentary on Ephesians and John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament.

Read on in Ephesians 1 →