Ephesians 1:4-5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:5

Having predestinated us - On the meaning of the word here used, see the notes at Romans 1:4; Romans 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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 1:3-6

Ephesians 1:3-6. Blessed be God, who hath blessed us God’s blessing us is his bestowing spiritual and heavenly blessings upon us. Our blessing God is the paying him our solemn and grateful acknowledgments, both on account of his own essential blessedness, and of the blessings which he bestows on us; with all spiritual blessings The spiritual blessings here spoken of are such as are necessary to the perfection and happiness of our spirits; namely, the light of the gospel, the influences of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-14

1:1-23 A LIFE OF FULNESS THROUGH CHRISTPraise for blessings in Christ (1:1-14)In introducing himself, Paul reminds his readers that they are saints, God’s holy people, who live their lives in union with Jesus Christ (1:1-2). He then offers praise to the triune God: in verses 3-6 on account of the Father who planned salvation; in verses 7-12 on account of the Son who made this salvation a reality; and in verses 13-14 on account of the Holy Spirit who guarantees salvation.God’s blessings, which... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 1:4

According = Even. hath chosen = chose out. Greek. eklegomai. Compare Acts 1:2 . before . App-104 . foundation . App-146 . world . App-129 . Compare 2 Timothy 1:9 . without blame . Greek. amomos. Here; Ephesians 5:27 . Colossians 1:22 .Hebrews 9:14 . 1 Peter 1:19 . Jude 1:24 .Revelation 14:5 . before Him = in His sight. See 2 Corinthians 2:17 . love . App-135 . Some insert "in love" after "predestinated us" in Ephesians 1:5 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 1:5

predestinated = foreordained. Greek. proorizo. See Acts 4:28 . Romans 8:29 . unto, to . Greek. eis . App-104 . adoption of children. Greek. huiothesia. See Romans 8:15 . Compare App-108 . according to . Greek. kata. App-104 . good pleasure . Greek. eudokia. See Romans 10:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 1:4

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love.Inherent in this is the fact of God's calling and electing people before the foundation of the world; and very few theological questions have demanded more attention and interest than this. Clearly revealed in this is the fact that the coming of Jesus Christ into the world for the purpose of taking out of it a people for himself and redeeming them unto eternal life was no... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 1:5

Having foreordained us into adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Under Ephesians 1:4, it was noted that the phrase "in love" may logically be referred to this verse also, as in the RSV. The KJV, English Revised Version (1885), and RSV use three different words for the action described in this verse, as follows:"He predestinated us ..." (KJV). "Having foreordained us ..." (English Revised Version) "He destined us in love to be his sons... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 1:4

Ephesians 1:4. In him— That is, in Christ. See the preceding verse, which, together with this, makes up the following sense: "As it was in consideration of Christ alone that God heretofore, before the foundation of the world, designed us Gentiles to be his people; so now that the Messiah is come, all the blessings and benefits which we are to receive in his heavenly kingdom, are laid up in him, and to be had only by our faith and dependance on him, without any respect to the law of Moses." The... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 1:5

Ephesians 1:5. Having predestinated us— It was not by the observances of the law, but by faith alone in Jesus Christ, that God pre-determined to take the Gentiles into the state of sonship, or adoption. This was another particular for which St. Paul blesses God, in the name of the Gentiles; the consideration whereof was fit to raise the thoughts of the Ephesians above the Mosaic law, and keep them in a firm adherence to the liberty of the gospel. According to the good pleasure of his will, is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 1:4

4. hath chosen us—Greek, "chose us out for Himself" (namely, out of the world, Galatians 1:4): referring to His original choice, spoken of as past. in him—The repetition of the idea, "in Christ" (Galatians 1:4- :), 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 (Galatians 1:4- :). before the foundation of the... read more

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