…even as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
Ephesians 1:4
1:4 “Chosen”–
Mark 13:20 is a passage from the Bible that reads, “And except that the Lord had shortened those days [1][2], no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”
; John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
; John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Romans 8:33 is a Bible verse that says: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 says “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you [1][2], brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved [1][2], through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”;
1 Pet 2:9.”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
John 6:37 says “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 17:6 says “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world [1][2]. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your.”
These verses are both from the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible. They describe the relationship between Jesus and those who believe in him. John 6:37 indicates that all those who the Father gives to Jesus will come to him and he will never reject them. John 17:6 speaks of those whom the Father gave to Jesus out of the world, and how they were faithful in keeping his word.
Both verses emphasize the idea of divine election, that is, the belief that some are chosen by God to be saved. They also suggest that faith in Jesus is the sign of being among those who are chosen by God.
Ephesians 1:4-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight [1]. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ [2][1], in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”
⬆️ Here, in vs 4-6, Paul speaks of three reasons for God’s choosing and predestining believers.
1️⃣ First, God wanted us to be “holy and blameless before him” – v 4;
John 17:17-19 is a passage from the Bible: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Philippians 2:15 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible. It reads: “so that you may become blameless and pure [1][2], children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation [2][3]. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
“Who gave himself for us [1], that he might redeem us from all iniquity [2][1], and purify unto himself a peculiar people [1][3], zealous of good works.”
2️⃣ Second, God wanted us to be His children (v 5).
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth [1][2]. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”
3️⃣ Third, God wanted praise to come to His grace –
Romans 8:29-30 is a passage from the Bible that talks about God’s plan of salvation for humanity. The passage states that those whom God foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. This means that God has a predestined plan for those he knows will come to believe in him and that he will work in their lives to make them more like Jesus. The passage also speaks of the “golden chain of grace,” which refers to the idea that God’s grace is a linked chain that begins with foreknowledge, leads to predestination, and ends in glorification. This passage has led to much theological debate and discussion about the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human free will.
; Titus 2:14.
The words “in love” may be joined either with the phrase before it or the phrase after it.
The Greek has no punctuation.
The words “in love” may be joined either with the phrase before it or the phrase after it.
The Greek has no punctuation.
Compare John 1:12-13; Rom 8:15; 2 Cor 6:17-18; 1 John 3:1-2.
On “adoption” see Rom 8:23 and notes.
Believers are God’s children by spiritual birth (John 3:3-8).
They will be adopted as His children at their resurrection from the dead. That is, He will in that way openly declare them to be His children.
If men could save themselves by what they do, then praise for their salvation would be due to them. In the way God chose to save people He eliminated any such possibility of boasting. The glorious grace of God alone saves believers, and so all praise goes to that, and not to believers.
Other notes on grace at John 1:14, 16; Rom 1:7.
Grace is something freely given, not something that can be earned by our efforts or so-called works of merit (
Rom 4:4-5; 6:23; 11:5-6).Other notes on grace at John 1:14, 16; Rom 1:7.
Observe the word “love” at the end of v 4.
This was behind God’s choosing and predestining believers –
2:4; Jer 31:3; Rom 5:8; 8:39; John 3:1, 16; 4:8.