COMMENTARY ON EPHESIANS
LESSON NUMBER 5
Eph 1:5 "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will . . . ." (Eph 1:5)
PREDESTINATED UNTO ADOPTION
Having received evidence of the Ephesian's commitment to the Lord and His people, Paul now launches into am inspired commentary of the work of God in Christ Jesus. He knows that spiritual stability and consistency come from comprehending "with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:18-19). Carefully note that Paul does not speak of what God can give the world, how He can save sinners, or what he can do for the suffering world. It is not that such things are unlawful, or ought not to be considered. However, when it comes to being personally acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, "others" are not the ultimate point. To be sure, the crucifixion of the flesh and the mortifying of the deeds of the body will enable a proper interest in others. However, that is not the thrust of apostolic teaching - and here we are dealing with thrust, or emphasis, not novelty. This is an exceedingly difficult matter to address in today's "Christian" culture. So little is being said about what God has and is doing in redemption, that writings such as those of Paul, are considered interesting, but well beyond the reach of the average believer. Getting the people busy with institutional concerns is now considered fundamental. Yet, in this epistle, we will not be given the faintest idea of how that church was doing as a community institution - if, indeed, it was that at all. Paul throws himself into an extensive commentary on what God has done in Christ Jesus, and how it is anchored in eternity - before man was created, before man fell, and before the creation itself. He will not speak of what the Ephesians chose, but what God chose. The purposes of the Ephesians will not be the point of this book, but the purpose of God. At this point, he will not even focus on how men ought to live, but will speak of Divine intentions. Already he has written that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (1:2). He has emphasized that this has been according to a choice God made in Christ before the foundation of the world, and that this was done in order that we might be holy and without blame before Him in love. Now he continues with another lofty consideration.
HAVING PREDESTINATED US
Eph 1:5a "Having predestinated us. . . " Other versions read, "He predestined us," NASB "He destined us," NRSV "having foreordained us," ASV "we were designed before by him," BBE "He determined in advance," CJB "having marked us out beforehand," DARBY "Because of his love he had already decided," GWN "according as he had previously chosen us," MRD "God decided in advance," NLT "His unchanging plan has always been," LIVING "God planned long ago," IE "Having predefined us," ABP "God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us," CEV "God had already decided," GNB "Long, long ago he decided," MESSAGE and "He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us)." AMPLIFIED
The word from which "predestinated" is translated has the following lexical meaning: "predetermine, decide beforehand . . . to foreordain . . . decreeing from eternity . . . appoint beforehand," THAYER "decide on beforehand, determine in advance," FRIBERG "decide from the beginning or beforehand, predestine; set apart from the beginning or beforehand," UBS and "to come to a decision beforehand - 'to decide beforehand, to determine ahead of time, to decide upon ahead of time." LOUW-NIDA In English the word means, "the act of foreordaining to an earthly lot or eternal destiny by divine decree; also : the state of being so foreordained . . . foredestine, foreordain, predetermine." MERRIAM-WEBSTER
HAVING. This word reflects the meaning of "predestinated" - something that was done before they were "saints" (1:1a), before they were "faithful" (1:1b), before they were "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (1:3). This verse is an explanation of what took place before they were "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (1:4a). It was before the determination was made that they would be "holy and without blame before Him in love" (1:4b). Before the world was created, and before mankind was created, here is a Divine determination that was already in place.
This is something about God that must be known if we are to give Him proper glory. When it comes to salvation, He is basically motivated from within Himself, not by what man does, or what He sees men will do. Before God embarks on a work, He first purposes what He will do, and how He will do it. Furthermore, if He is this way, it is the height of folly for men to conduct themselves as though their conduct will move God to act in favorable, yet unplanned ways toward them. If it is countered that God will bless us because we "walk as dear children" (Eph 5:1), and "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col 1:10), there is something more to remember. Such a walk moves us to be the kind of people He has previously determined to bless. In matters regarding salvation, God does not do anything He has not planned, or purposed, to do.
God has declared, "Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Isa 14:24). Again, He emphasizes the sureness of His purpose: "For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Isa 14:27). Boldly He announces, "I have purposed it, I will also do it" (Isa 46:11). And again, "I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it" (Jer 4:28). The particular point here is not the specifics of what God has purposed, but the fact that He does purpose, and act in strict accord with that purpose.
This is particularly true in matters pertaining to salvation and the saved. For example, the sanctified ones have been "called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28). That purpose was determined "in Himself" (Eph 1:9). Divine "purpose" relates to God working "all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph 1:11). We are speaking of an "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11). Men are both saved and called in strict accord with God's "purpose" (2 Tim 1:9).
All of this reveals the absurdity of tailoring religion to the desires of men. The idea of appealing to men's desires, and entering into activity that centers in the resolution of their persona problems may appear wise and desirable. However, that is not how God works.
PREDESTINATED US. The saved are the ones who were "predestinated," "foreordained," ASV "marked out," DARBY and "chosen." MRD This text does not say God predestinated the means throi9gh which we would be saved, but that He predestinated "us" - those who are now in Christ (1:4). It is the "us" that were predetermined, marked out, and chosen.
That is, we are to know and comprehend that our involvement in salvation was according to Divine determination. To some, this is a fearful thing to consider, and to others it is the epitome of ignorance. But that is only because they are not sure of their standing before the Lord. For those who have the "full assurance of faith," this is a blessed sound, for it places their salvation squarely in the hands of the Lord, and not in their own. In his letter to the Romans Paul candidly states, "Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified" (Rom 8:30). He sees no danger in teaching people in such a manner. It is clearly said of God that "HE did predestinate," "HE also called," "HE also justified," and "HE also glorified." Who would object to such a grand announcement - particularly when they have faith in Christ and love for the saints?
PREDESTINATED UNTO ADOPTION
1:5b " . . . unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself. . ."
Now Paul states the objective of the predestination, or Divine predetermination. This is something that could not possibly happen independently of Divine determination.
UNTO THE ADOPTION. Other versions read, "to adoption as sons," NKJV "to be adopted as His sons," NIV "for adoption as His children," NRSV "to be His sons," RSV "for the position of sons," BBE "to be heirs," TNT "become His own sons," IE "make us His own children," ERV "make us His children," GNB and "to be adopted (revealed) as His own children." AMPLIFIED
Nearly all versions use the word "adoption," or "adopted." The expression "adoption of children" is translated from a single word (ui`oqesi,an). The meaning of this word is, "adoption as sons . . . the consummate condition of the sons of God, which will render it evident that they are the sons of God," THAYER "of the sonship status bestowed on those who believe in Christ," FRIBERG "to formally and legally declare that someone who is not one's own child is henceforth to be treated and cared for as one's own child, including complete rights of inheritance - 'to adopt, adoption." LOUW-NIDA and "adoption (of children), only in a transferred sense." GINGRICH
This word accents two things: first, that we are not the sons of God by nature, and second that sonship, in this case, has particularly to do with obtaining the inheritance. This word is used frequently to describe our identity with God. We have "received the Spirit of adoption" - the Spirit being the source of our spiritual life (Rom 8:15). This word is also ascribed to the resurrection body: "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:23). As compared to the rest of the world, being adopted by God was the peculiar blessing of Israel (Rom 9:4). Redemption is said to have taken place in order that we might "receive the adoption of sons" (Gal 4:5).
In all of these cases, the revelation of sonship is the point. Adoption is more than a declaration, or something put into writing. The reality of sonship is confirmed by a show of evidence within the adopted ones. The ultimate showing will be at the resurrection of the dead, when our bodies bare redeemed (Rom 8:23). This confirms our humanness is not the basis of our adoption, which is why that event is referred to as "the adoption" (Rom 8:23). Having access to all spiritual blessings, and experiencing Divine acceptance impacts upon the life of the saved one. It is that evidence that testifies to the reality of sonship.
The adoption must be seen as a legal right to heirship. It is what John referred to when he wrote, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). Other versions read, "He gave the right." NIV
BY JESUS CHRIST. The technicalities of redemption and adoption are summarized in Jesus Christ. The whole of our adoption, or legal identity with God himself, is realized "by Jesus Christ." Other versions read, "through Jesus Christ," NASB "in Jesus the Messiah," MRD "by sending Jesus Christ to die for us," LIVING and "that Christ would choose us." CEV
It is to be understood that this is Jesus Christ in His redemptive and intercessory capacities. This is not Jesus the friend, but Jesus the "Lord and Savior" (2 Pet 1:11). No person has any saving association with God until his sins are removed in Christ Jesus, and he is experientially reconciled to God. This is not a mere matter of getting control of your life, as it is often represented. It is rather a matter of getting rid of things that separate one from God.
TO HIMSELF. Being reconciled to God is everything - being one with Him, with no enmity or disagreement! The point of salvation is not to resolve fleshly and earthly deficiencies, although, in the process of being reconciled to God, some of these things are resolved. But that is not the purpose of redemption, and Jesus Christ should not be presented as though He is seeking to improve life in this world.
By Jesus Christ we "are reconciled to God" (Rom 5:10). We are thus "alive unto God" (Rom 6:11), and begin to live "unto God" (Rom 6:10). We present our various capacities "unto God" (Rom 6:13), and are "servants to God" (Rom 6:22). Our fruit is "unto God" (Rom 7:4), and our bodies are presented as a "living sacrifice unto God" (Rom 12:1). Ultimately, we will give an account of ourselves "unto God" (Rom 14:12). When we were converted, we "turned to God" (1 Thess 1:9), and we give attention to showing ourselves "approved unto God" (2 Tim 2:15). The New Covenant enables us to "draw nigh unto God" (Heb 7:19). We "come unto God" by Jesus Christ, who makes intercession for us (Heb 7:25). Our aim is to be "acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5).
These things are more than requirements, although they are surely that. These reflect the purpose of God in Christ Jesus. They are the personal evidence of being predestinated unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ - sons "to Himself." The objective for being in Christ is to have access to, and favor with, the Living God. Take Him out of the picture, and there is no purpose fo salvation, or life in Jesus Christ.
THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL
1:5c " . . . according to the good pleasure of His will."
And why did the Lord predestinate us to the adoption of children, by Jesus Christ, to Himself? What is the root cause of this gracious choice? At the foundational level, was it because He loved humanity? Was it because, He looked down into the future, and saw what men would do? Paul will not leave us wandering about this. He will speak clearly and distinctly.
ACCORDING TO. Other versions read, "in accordance with," NIV "in the," BBE and "to carry out," WILLIAMS The technical meaning of the word translated "according" is, a preposition denoting motion or diffusion or direction from the higher to the lower . . . down from . . . according to, agreeably to; in reference to agreement or conformity to a standard." THAYER This is the language of cause and effect, The effect is, "predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself." The thing that caused that determinate action is what is now stated. Men have philosophized about the cause of predestination, but here the real reason is presented.
THE GOOD PLEASURE. Other versions read, "the kind intention," NASB "His pleasure," NIV "the purpose," RSV "in keeping with His pleasure," CJB "His favor," CSB "as was agreeable to," MRD "it gave Him pleasure," NLT "would please God," IE "the happy choice," WILLIAM'S "and because it pleased Him, and was His kind intent." AMPLIFIED
God predestinated us because it was pleasing to Him to do so - and He is righteous! Later Paul will affirm that God has made known the mystery of His will to His children for the same reason - it was His "good pleasure" (Eph 1:9). He also stated in his letter to the Philippians that God works in His people "both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).
Jesus told His disciples the Father would give them the Kingdom because it was His "good pleasure" to do so (Lk 12:32). David was so confident in this kind of doing that he prayed, "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem" (Psa 51:18). Jesus taught u to pray like this when He said, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:10),
Those who question the reality of God's predestination are questioning what it pleases Him to do. No further explanation is required. If the action to which he refers pleased God, and God is holy, just, and true, then what reason is there to question His choice?
OF HIS WILL. And what is it that brings so much pleasure and satisfaction to God Almighty? It is "His will" - "according to the good pleasure of His will." Other versions read, "His purpose," BBE "He freely chose to do this," GWN "This is what He wanted to do," NLT and "it is what He wanted." IE
When holy men prayed for believers, they would pray like this: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" (Heb 13:20-21). It is true that Jesus sometimes asked people what they wanted (Mk 10:36; Matt 20:32) - but it was not often. Far better to be knowledgeable of "His will," and to work and pray within that context (Col 1:9). When God works with us, it is "to do His will" (Heb 13:21). When we pray, we know that if we ask "any thing according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14).
In this text we come to the loftiest of all redemptive benefits - to receive the adoption of sons in order to the realization of an "eternal inheritance" (Heb 9:15). Does Paul here admonish the Ephesians to do this or that in order that the benefit will be realized. That such admonishments are necessary cannot be denied. Yet, there is a proclamation to be heard first - one that will provide a proper incentive to think and work rightly. It is a proclamation that boldly announces we have received a Divine supply of staggering greatness, and that is has all been provided in light of the fact that we have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and predestinated to be adopted as sons - rightful heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. All of this has been done because God wanted to do it - and the desire was purposed in Himself.
We need look no further for a reason for God's marvelous grace, or stagger about because it seems too difficult to explain why He "so loved" the world, or "loved me and gave Himself for me." It is because He purpose to do so, and wanted to do so. There was an eternal objective that birthed His salvation, initiating it through our calling, and bringing it to fruition in the Son. It was His own glory He was seeking, not merely our betterment. That is what throws the majestic and illuminating light on His great salvation. It is why those who neglect this salvation will not be able to escape the wrath and indignation of God (Rom 2:6). The hostility of such people toward God is seen in the fact that they do not want what He has willed, and do not find pleasure in what pleases Him.
God's will is always "good ," and "acceptable," and "perfect" (Rom 12;2) - particularly regarding Him predestinating us to the adoption of sons, in order that we might have access to :all spiritual blessings," and obtain the inheritance provided for His sons.