Ephesians 1:11
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "obtained an inheritance" actually means "we were made an inheritance," flipping the perspective so that we are God's treasured possession, not just recipients of blessings. This highlights that God's purpose isn't just to give us something, but to claim us as His own, just as Israel was His heritage in the Old Testament.
The Apostle Paul is detailing God's eternal plan of salvation through Christ. Following the revelation of God's unfathomable blessings and His choice of believers before time began (verses 3-10), this verse emphasizes that believers themselves become God's inheritance, a direct result of God's sovereign will actively bringing all things to pass according to His perfect plan. This divine purpose, established from eternity, is what makes their inclusion in God's redemptive plan a certainty, not an accident.
The words 'obtained an inheritance' might sound like we're the ones getting a reward. But what if the original meaning flips that idea on its head?
Paul uses a Greek word here, 'eklerothemen,' that's unique in the New Testament. While it can mean 'to receive an inheritance,' its deeper sense, especially in this context, is 'to be designated as a heritage' or 'to be made a portion.'
A Divine Lot
Think about the Old Testament practice of dividing land by lot. God designated specific portions. Here, Paul is saying that we have been designated by God as His special possession, His heritage. It’s not just that we receive something from God; we are something to God—His prized inheritance.
God's Affectionate Ownership
This isn't about God acquiring property. It's about His loving claim on us. Just as a loving owner cares for, protects, and delights in their cherished possession, God embraces us as His own heritage. The focus shifts from our gain to God's gracious act of claiming us.
Our place in God's plan isn't a last-minute decision. It's rooted in His eternal purpose and His active work in the world.
The verse continues, 'being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will.' This highlights the deep sovereignty of God in salvation.
Divine Foreordination
'Predestined' points to God's pre-determined plan. This wasn't an afterthought; it was decided before time began. It's connected to His 'purpose,' indicating a deliberate, overarching design.
The All-Working God
The phrase 'who works all things after the counsel of his own will' is crucial. It means God is not just a planner but an active agent. He is the one who brings His plans to fruition, and He does so according to the deep, wise decisions of His own will. Nothing happens outside of His sovereign control or His ultimate purpose.
Understand the original words
klēroō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, refers to the portion or share allotted to God's people as their rightful possession, ultimately finding its fulfillment in Christ and the eternal kingdom.
proorizō · Greek Verb
The sovereign decree of God by which He determines the destiny of individuals or events before they come to pass, based entirely on His own gracious will and purpose.
prothesis · Greek Noun
The intentional plan or set design of God; it signifies that God acts with specific objectives in mind, ensuring all things move toward His ultimate goal.
boulē · Greek Noun
The reflective deliberation or wise intent of God, signifying that His decisions are not impulsive but are characterized by perfect wisdom and divine sovereignty.
This passage speaks of the Lord taking Israel as His own inheritance, directly paralleling the idea in Ephesians 1:11 that believers 'were taken into the inheritance' or made God's portion.
Romans 8:29-30Both passages link predestination to God's foreknowledge and purpose, showing that those He foreknew and predestined, He also called, justified, and glorified, highlighting the seamless flow of God's eternal plan.
Ephesians 1:4-5These verses directly precede Ephesians 1:11 and speak of God choosing believers in Christ before the foundation of the world, predestining them for adoption, which sets the stage for obtaining the inheritance mentioned in verse 11.
Acts 17:25-26This passage emphasizes God as the creator and sustainer of all life, who 'determined appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,' underscoring the overarching purpose of God in working all things, as stated in Ephesians 1:11.
Philippians 2:13This verse speaks to God's active work 'in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure,' echoing the sentiment in Ephesians 1:11 that God 'works all things according to the counsel of his will,' highlighting the divine agency in believers' lives.
cambridgeEphesians 1:11: "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:"
11 . In whom also we ] “We” is not emphatic. The emphasis (“also” or “even”) is on the actual attainment, not on the persons attaining. Not only was the “mystery made known to us,” but we came in fact to share its blessing. have obtained an inheritance ] Better, were taken into the inheritance , made part of “the Lord’s por…
bengelEphesians 1:11: "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:"
This is repeated from Ephesians 1:9 , so that Ephesians 1:10 is a parenthesis.— ἐκληρώθημεν ) He here speaks in the person of Israel, we were made נחלה , ΚΛῆΡΟς or ΚΛΗΡΟΝΟΜΊΑ , the lot, the inheritance of the Lord . Comp. Deuteronomy 32:9 . The antithesis is you , Ephesians 1:13 . He is, however, speaking of a spiritual ben…
The phrase "obtained an inheritance" actually means "we were made an inheritance," flipping the perspective so that we are God's treasured possession, not just recipients of blessings. This highlights that God's purpose isn't just to give us something, but to claim us as His own, just as Israel was His heritage in the Old Testament.
The Apostle Paul is detailing God's eternal plan of salvation through Christ. Following the revelation of God's unfathomable blessings and His choice of believers before time began (verses 3-10), this verse emphasizes that believers themselves become God's inheritance, a direct result of God's sovereign will actively bringing all things to pass according to His perfect plan. This divine purpose, established from eternity, is what makes their inclusion in God's redemptive plan a certainty, not an accident.
The Apostle Paul is detailing God's eternal plan of salvation through Christ. Following the revelation of God's unfathomable blessings and His choice of believers before time began (verses 3-10), this verse emphasizes that believers themselves become God's inheritance, a direct result of God's sovereign will actively bringing all things to pass according to His perfect plan. This divine purpose, established from eternity, is what makes their inclusion in God's redemptive plan a certainty, not an accident.
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Purpose Over Chance
This assurance means our salvation isn't accidental. It's the result of God's intentional, all-encompassing plan, executed according to His perfect wisdom and will. It provides a solid foundation for our faith, knowing that God is in complete control.
"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will," — The phrase "obtained an inheritance" actually means "we were made an inheritance," flipping the perspective so that we are God's treasured possession, not just recipients of blessings. This highlig…
