Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:3-10
A. Individual calling 1:3-2:10Paul began the body of his letter by revealing the spiritual blessings that God has planned for believers in His Son."The opening section of Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3 to Ephesians 2:10), which describes the new life God has given us in Christ, divides itself naturally into two halves, the first consisting of praise and the second of prayer. In the ’praise’ half Paul blesses God that he has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3-14), while... read more
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:5
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 (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:29). "Foreordained." by Jesus—Greek, "through Jesus." to himself—the Father (Colossians 1:20). ALFORD explains, "adoption . . . into Himself," that is, so that we should be partakers of the divine nature (Colossians 1:20- :). LACHMANN reads, "unto Him." The context... read more