ephesians-1:4-5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:4

(4) According as (i.e., inasmuch as) he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.—Again it should be, He chose us for Himself. The eternal election of God is inseparably connected with the blessing of the Spirit. This passage stands alone in St. Paul’s Epistles in its use of this word “chosen” in connection with God’s eternal purpose, “before the foundation of the world”—a phrase only applied elsewhere to the eternal communion of the Son with the Father (John 17:24), and to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 1:5

(5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself.—The idea of Election depends on the union of the sense of actual difference between men, as to privilege and spiritual life, with the conviction of God’s universal sovereignty. Hence, in all cases, it leads back to the idea of Predestination, that is, of the conception of the divine purpose in the mind of God, before its realisation in actual fact. On the doctrine of predestination see Romans 9:0. It will... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 1:1-23

Ephesians 1:7 Forgiveness of sins lies at the very heart of the Christian religion. That title of our Lord which appeals most to the heart of mankind is the title which is His as Saviour. It is proclaimed in that fact which of all facts in history has most impressed itself upon the imagination of mankind, the Sacrifice of Christ. In the Apostles' Creed we say, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins'. It is a petition in that prayer which is the model of all prayer the Lord's Prayer, we pray,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-19

Chapter 2THE ETERNAL PURPOSEEphesians 1:3-19WE enter this epistle through magnificent gateway. The introductory Act of Praise, extending from verse 3 to 14, {Ephesians 1:3-14} is one of the most sublime of inspired utterances, an overture worthy of the composition that it introduces. Its first sentence compels us to feel the insufficiency of our powers for its due rendering.The apostle surveys in this thanksgiving the entire course of the revelation of grace. Standing with the men of his day,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

Analysis and Annotations I. THE MASTERWORK OF GOD (1-3) 1. The Godhead at Work CHAPTER 1 1. The introduction (Ephesians 1:1-2 ) 2. The great doxology (Ephesians 1:3 ) 3. The work of the Father (Ephesians 1:4-6 ) 4. The work of the Son (Ephesians 1:7-12 ) 5. The work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14 ) 6. The parenthetical prayer to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory (Ephesians 1:15-23 ) In the brief introductory words to this Epistle, Paul speaks of himself as an... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 1:4

1:4 {6} According as he hath chosen us in {d} him before the foundation of the world, {7} that we {e} should {f} be holy and without blame {g} before him in love:(6) He declares the efficient cause, or by what means God the Father saves us in his Son: because, he says, he chose us from everlasting in his Son.(d) To be adopted in him.(7) He expounds the next final cause which is twofold, that is, sanctification and justification, of which he will speak later. And by this also two things are to... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 1:5

1:5 {8} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ {h} to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,(8) Another plainer exposition of the efficient cause, and also of eternal election, by which God is said to have chosen us in Christ, that is, because it pleased him to appoint us when we were not yet born, whom he would make to be his children by Jesus Christ. So that there is no reason for our election to be looked for here, except in the free mercy of God.... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 1:1-23

SALUTATION (vs.1-2) As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul writes this epistle as an authoritative communication from God. Indeed, his apostleship is "by the will of God." Nothing of his own or of any other person's activity is involved in this at all. God gave Paul this place: he must simply accept it and act for God in it. No other could possibly substitute for him here. The epistle is not addressed to the Ephesian assembly as such, but to the saints at Ephesus, for assembly order is not the... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-23

THE BELIEVER ’S BLESSINGS IN CHURCH This is the first of what are called the “prison” epistles, because written by Paul while a prisoner at Rome, (Compare Ephesians 3:1 ; Ephesians 4:1 ; with Acts 28:0 ). The others are Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon. The apostle wrote these with the chain upon his wrist. This also (with Colossians) contains the profoundest truth God has been pleased to reveal to His people, even that of the church considered as the body of Christ, “the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ephesians 1:3-6

(3) ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the... read more