As the final proof that Paul’s concept of pistis often must mean faithfulness, not faith, is Paul’s inheritance warnings. In four passages Paul clearly said that if a Christian commits various sins (which are cognizable as moral rules from the Mosaic Law), such as covetousness, adultery, etc., this means you shall “not inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9, Ephesian 5:5-7, Galatians 5:19-21, and 1 Thessalonians 4:6-8.) Jesus said those who “inherit the kingdom” means they have “eternal life.” (Matt. 25:34,46. See page 219-20.)

We disuss only Ephesians 5:5-7.

Ephesians 5
The broader context of Ephesians 5 is necessary to put verses 5-7 in context. As you read ask yourself whether Paul is warning the believers / saints to fear God, that they be followers of God, etc., or otherwise they will suffer the consequences in verses 5-7 of not inheriting the kingdom? Or, did Paul truly intend to warn only nonbelievers, as Paulinists contend, to whom the epistle is not even written? Does the latter make any sense? Here now is Ephesians 5:1-t7 to provide the full context around verses 5-7:


1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Those who are wed to Ephesians 1:11 meaning that we are "predestined" to an "inheritance" in heaven, interpret Paul in Ephesians 5:1-21 as merely exhorting us to 'fear' God but without any serious need to fear loss of salvation. Our salvation is supposedly guaranteed.

But the words 'do not be deceived' in Ephesians 5:6 joined with the inheritance warning is virtually identical language to 1 Corinthians 6:9 ("do not be led astray" "deceived"). There the joined-warning is unquestionably to "brothers" that they will be barred an inheritance of heaven for certain sins. Hence, there is every reason to regard Ephesians 5:1-21 has the same meaning as 1 Corinthians and Thessalonians quoted above.

Ephesians 1:11: Is It Each Person is Predestined?
Thus, the meaning then in Ephesians 1:11 that we are "predestined" to an inheritance must somehow be an exaggerated meaning or is qualified by Ephesians 5:5-7. The verb in Ephesians 1:11 translated as "predestined" is from the verb proorizô meaning:

to determine beforehand, to predetermine, pre-ordain [Perseus Tufts Online ancient Greek dictionary.]


Paul arguably meant in Ephesians 1:11 that God determined beforehand that "we" would have an inheritance.... This is a collective "we" and not an individual "you" -- so that the people of God would inherit something as part of God's plan.

But just like God said all the sons of Abraham would be "blessed" through him (Genesis 12:3), we should not err like the Jews who often misinterpreted that they were each and everyone of them blessed through Abraham. Instead, the sons of disobedience even though Abraham's sons are not going to be blessed eternally in heaven.

Hence, Paul arguably had the same corporate understanding when he said "we" have been ordained to have an inheritance in the same way as God spoke about the "Sons of Abraham" being blessed through Abraham. In the latter, God was speaking of a general corporate predestination, and not individual predestination.

If Paul's "we" is similarly a general corporate meaning, then Paul made a true statement in Ephesians 1:11. It simply did not needlessly express the obvious exceptions to the general principle stated in Ephesians 1:11, namely such predestination will not carry sinning unrepentant Christians to be in heaven later.

Now read Ephesians 1:11 with this understanding, and you will see how it fits with the four inheritance warnings of Paul intended for Christians referenced above:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Eph 1:11 KJV.



Circular Reasoning Avoids Seeing Inheriting Kingdom is Salvation

So "inheriting the kingdom" is clearly spoken about by Jesus as enjoying eternal life in Matthew 25:34. So that should solve it, right? Nope. Nothing is ever enough. Faith alone must prevail no matter what, even if Paul and Jesus agree here!!!! First, they must demolish Matthew 25:34 where Jesus clearly uses the term "inherit eternal life" in contrast to those sent to "eternal punishment" with Satan.