Eph 1:4-7 | JFB | STEP | 4. hath chosen us-- Greek, "chose us out for Himself" (namely, out of the world, ): referring to His original choice, spoken of as past. in him-- The repetition of the idea, "in Christ" ( ), implies the paramount importance of the truth that it is in Him, and by virtue of union to Him, the Second Adam, the Restorer ordained for us from everlasting, the Head of redeemed humanity, believers have all their blessings ( ). before the foundation of the world-- This assumes the eternity of the Son of God ( , ), as of the election of believers in Him ( ; ). that we should be holy-- positively ( ). without blame-- negatively ( ; ). before him-- It is to Him the believer looks, walking as in His presence, before whom he looks to be accepted in the judgment ( ; compare ). in love-- joined by Bengel and others with , "in love having predestinated us," &c. But English Version is better. The words qualify the whole clause, "that we should be holy ... before Him." Love, lost to man by the fall, but restored by redemption, is the root and fruit and sum of all holiness ( ; , ).

‏ Ephesians 1:4-7

4. hath chosen us--Greek, "chose us out for Himself" (namely, out of the world, Ga 1:4): referring to His original choice, spoken of as past.

in him--The repetition of the idea, "in Christ" (Ep 1:3), implies the paramount importance of the truth that it is in Him, and by virtue of union to Him, the Second Adam, the Restorer ordained for us from everlasting, the Head of redeemed humanity, believers have all their blessings (Ep 3:11).

before the foundation of the world--This assumes the eternity of the Son of God (Joh 17:5, 24), as of the election of believers in Him (2Ti 1:9; 2Th 2:13).

that we should be holy--positively (De 14:2).

without blame--negatively (Ep 5:27; 1Th 3:13).

before him--It is to Him the believer looks, walking as in His presence, before whom he looks to be accepted in the judgment (Col 1:22; compare Re 7:15).

in love--joined by Bengel and others with Ep 1:5, "in love having predestinated us," &c. But English Version is better. The words qualify the whole clause, "that we should be holy ... before Him." Love, lost to man by the fall, but restored by redemption, is the root and fruit and sum of all holiness (Ep 5:2; 1Th 3:12, 13).

5. predestinated--more special in respect to the end and precise means, than "chosen" or elected. We are "chosen" out of the rest of the world; "predestinated" to all things that secure the inheritance for us (Ep 1:11; Ro 8:29). "Foreordained."

by Jesus--Greek, "through Jesus."

to himself--the Father (Col 1:20). Alford explains, "adoption ... into Himself," that is, so that we should be partakers of the divine nature (2Pe 1:4). Lachmann reads, "unto Him." The context favors the explanation of Calvin: God has regard to Himself and the glory of His grace (Ep 1:6, 12, 14) as His ultimate end. He had one only-begotten Son, and He was pleased for His own glory, to choose out of a lost world many to become His adopted sons. Translate, "unto Himself."

the good pleasure of his will--So the Greek (Mt 11:26; Lu 10:21). We cannot go beyond "the good pleasure of His will" in searching into the causes of our salvation, or of any of His works (Ep 1:9). (Job 33:13.) Why needest thou philosophize about an imaginary world of optimism? Thy concern is to take heed that thou be not bad. There was nothing in us which deserved His love (Ep 1:1, 9, 11) [Bengel].

6. (Ep 1:7, 17, 18). The end aimed at (Psa 50:23), that is, that the glory of His grace may be praised by all His creatures, men and angels.

wherein--Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "which." Then translate, "which He graciously bestowed on us." But English Version is supported by good manuscripts and the oldest versions.

us accepted--a kindred Greek word to "grace": charitos, echaritosen: translate, "graciously accepted"; "made us subjects of His grace"; "embraced us in the arms of His grace" (Ro 3:24; 5:15).

in the beloved--pre-eminently so called (Mt 3:17; 17:5; Joh 3:35; Col 1:13). Greek, "Son of His love." It is only "IN His Beloved" that He loves us (Ep 1:3; 1Jo 4:9, 10).

7. In whom--"the Beloved" (Ep 1:6; Ro 3:24).

we have--as a present possession.

redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Ro 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mt 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Le 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mt 20:28). Another "redemption" follows, namely, that "of the purchased possession" hereafter (Ep 1:14).

through his blood--(Ep 2:13); as the instrument; the propitiation, that is, the consideration (devised by His own love) for which He, who was justly angry (Is 12:1), becomes propitious to us; the expiation, the price paid to divine justice for our sin (Ac 20:28; Ro 3:25; 1Co 6:20; Col 1:20; 1Pe 1:18, 19).

the forgiveness of sins--Greek, "the remission of our transgressions": not merely "pretermission," as the Greek (Ro 3:25) ought to be translated. This "remission," being the explanation of "redemption," includes not only deliverance from sin's penalty, but from its pollution and enslaving power, negatively; and the reconciliation of an offended God, and a satisfaction unto a just God, positively.

riches of his grace--(Ep 2:7); "the exceeding riches of His grace." Compare Ep 1:18; Ep 3:16, "according to the riches of His glory": so that "grace" is His "glory."