United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit E-Book

Benjamin L. Merkle

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: New Testament Theology
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Join New Testament Scholar Benjamin Merkle as He Explores the Major Themes of the Book of Ephesians Paul wrote Ephesians as instruction and encouragement for the church in Ephesus, and it has continued to influence the church for centuries. This New Testament book specifically focuses on the believer's union with Christ and our inability to stand before God without the work of Jesus Christ and the Spirit, both of which are still essential today.  In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Benjamin Merkle offers an accessible summary of the theology of Ephesians that highlights God's work in salvation and how Christians should respond. Each chapter focuses on a key theological theme—the plan of God, union with Christ, walking according to the Spirit, unity of the church, and spiritual warfare in the present age—and why it is relevant for the church today.  - Part of the New Testament Theology Series: Other volumes include The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation and The Mission of the Triune God: A Theology of Acts - Ideal for Anyone Wanting to Study the Bible More Deeply: Perfect for pastors, seminarians, college students, and laypeople - Written by Benjamin Merkle: New Testament scholar and author of Ephesians in the ESV Expository Commentary 

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“United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit clearly and concisely presents the themes of Paul’s short but majestic letter to the Ephesians. The themes of individual union with Christ, the teaching about the church, and the call to walk well are all well handled. If you desire to understand the theme of this letter, this book is for you.”

Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director of Cultural Engagement, The Hendricks Center, Dallas Theological Seminary

“Few books of the Bible lay out the height, depth, and breadth of the gospel like Ephesians. Benjamin Merkle puts the riches of this beloved Pauline epistle on full display, offering fresh insights into God’s plan, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, the unity of the church, and spiritual warfare. Whether you are a pastor, teacher, small-group leader, or simply someone who wants to better understand Ephesians, this accessible book will deepen your love for Christ and show you how to live out the gospel more faithfully.”

Matthew S. Harmon, Professor of New Testament Studies, Grace College and Theological Seminary; author, Asking the Right Questions: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible

“With strong exegetical support of his biblical theology, and with equally strong biblical theology considerations guiding his exegetical analysis, United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit is a gift to the body of Christ. In this small volume, Benjamin Merkle gives a masterful reading of Ephesians’ argument and individual themes. He reads in concert with the best scholarship on Ephesians as he explains Paul’s understanding of the role of the church in the decree of God—in redemptive history—and the treasures of the individual elements that are part of the web of our salvation. Anyone wishing to enjoy the book of Ephesians with greater depth and joy should have this work close at hand.”

Eric C. Redmond, Professor of Bible, Moody Bible Institute

United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit

New Testament Theology

Edited by Thomas R. Schreiner and Brian S. Rosner

The Beginning of the Gospel: A Theology of Mark, Peter Orr

From the Manger to the Throne: A Theology of Luke, Benjamin L. Gladd

The Mission of the Triune God: A Theology of Acts, Patrick Schreiner

United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit: A Theology of Ephesians, Benjamin L. Merkle

The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation, Thomas R. Schreiner

United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit

A Theology of Ephesians

Benjamin L. Merkle

United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit: A Theology of Ephesians

Copyright © 2022 by Benjamin L. Merkle

Published by Crossway1300 Crescent StreetWheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Cover design: Kevin Lipp

First printing 2022

Printed in the United States of America

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.

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Quotations marked NETS are taken from A New English Translation of the Septuagint, © 2007 by the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Inc. Used by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-7369-9 ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-7372-9 PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-7370-5 Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-7371-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Merkle, Benjamin L., 1971- author. | Schreiner, Thomas R., editor. |

Rosner, Brian S., editor. 

Title: United to Christ, walking in the Spirit : a theology of Ephesians / Benjamin L. Merkle ; Thomas R. Schreiner and Brian S. Rosner, editors.

Description: Wheaton, Illinois : Crossway, 2022. | Series: New Testament theology | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021056702 (print) | LCCN 2021056703 (ebook) | ISBN 9781433573699 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781433573705 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433573712 (mobipocket) | ISBN 9781433573729 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Ephesians—Theology.

Classification: LCC BS2695.52 .M475 2022 (print) | LCC BS2695.52 (ebook) | DDC 227/.506—dc23/eng/20220126

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021056702

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021056703

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

2022-07-05 03:31:52 PM

Contents

Series Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

1  The Plan of God

2  Union with Christ

3  Walking according to the Spirit

4  Unity of the Church

5  Spiritual Warfare in the Present Age

General Index

Scripture Index

Series Preface

There are remarkably few treatments of the big ideas of single books of the New Testament. Readers can find brief coverage in Bible dictionaries, in some commentaries, and in New Testament theologies, but such books are filled with other information and are not devoted to unpacking the theology of each New Testament book in its own right. Technical works concentrating on various themes of New Testament theology often have a narrow focus, treating some aspect of the teaching of, say, Matthew or Hebrews in isolation from the rest of the book’s theology.

The New Testament Theology series seeks to fill this gap by providing students of Scripture with readable book-length treatments of the distinctive teaching of each New Testament book or collection of books. The volumes approach the text from the perspective of biblical theology. They pay due attention to the historical and literary dimensions of the text, but their main focus is on presenting the teaching of particular New Testament books about God and his relations to the world on their own terms, maintaining sight of the Bible’s overarching narrative and Christocentric focus. Such biblical theology is of fundamental importance to biblical and expository preaching and informs exegesis, systematic theology, and Christian ethics.

The twenty volumes in the series supply comprehensive, scholarly, and accessible treatments of theological themes from an evangelical perspective. We envision them being of value to students, preachers, and interested laypeople. When preparing an expository sermon series, for example, pastors can find a healthy supply of informative commentaries, but there are few options for coming to terms with the overall teaching of each book of the New Testament. As well as being useful in sermon and Bible study preparation, the volumes will also be of value as textbooks in college and seminary exegesis classes. Our prayer is that they contribute to a deeper understanding of and commitment to the kingdom and glory of God in Christ.

Ephesians is deeply theological and meditative, reflecting on the great salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus. Paul doesn’t dispute with opponents as he does in many of his letters. Instead he composes a letter that is profoundly theological and at the same time wonderfully practical. One of the striking features of the letter is the central place of the church in God’s plan, steering us away from the individualism and fierce independence that is characteristic of many in our days. Ben Merkle is an expert and faithful interpreter of one of the most important Pauline letters, leading us to explore all the riches that belong to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. He mines the letter both theologically and practically, showing us that redemptive history centers on and points to Jesus the Christ.

Thomas R. Schreiner and Brian S. Rosner

Abbreviations

AB

Anchor Bible

Ant.

Josephus, Antiquities

BDAG

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed.

BECNT

Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

BHGNT

Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament

DPL

Dictionary of Paul and His Letters

EEC

Evangelical Exegetical Commentary

ICC

International Critical Commentary

JETS

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

J.W.

Jewish Wars

L&N

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains

NICNT

New International Commentary on the New Testament

NIVAC

NIV Application Commentary

PNTC

Pillar New Testament Commentary

WBC

Word Biblical Commentary

ZECNT

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

Introduction

For its size (six chapters and 155 verses), Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has had a profound impact on the life and theology of the church.1 Klyne Snodgrass asserts, “Only the Psalms, the Gospel of John, and Romans have been as significant as Ephesians in shaping the life and thought of Christians.”2 Harold Hoehner likewise declares, “The Letter to the Ephesians is one of the most influential documents in the Christian church.”3 This influence is due to the robust and diverse nature of the theology embedded in this short epistle. Paul addresses topics such as God’s sovereignty, the nature of salvation, race relations, roles in marriage and the family, the unity of the church, and spiritual warfare.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians living in (or near) Ephesus to instruct them in the faith and encourage them in their behavior. Along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, Ephesians is known as one of the “Prison Epistles” since it was written during a two-year imprisonment in Rome (AD 60–62).4 Paul writes primarily, though not exclusively, to Gentile Christians (2:11–12; 3:1; 4:17), providing first a theological foundation (1:1–3:21) and then instructing them how to live (4:1–6:20).

This book, United to Christ, Walking in the Spirit, has five chapters that are based on prominent theological features of the book of Ephesians: (1) the plan of God; (2) union with Christ; (3) walking according to the Spirit; (4) the unity of the church; and (5) spiritual warfare in the present age. Although many of these topics overlap with major loci in systematic theology (e.g., theology, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, and eschatology), these topics are nuanced so as to be particular to Ephesians. Chapter 1, “The Plan of God,” first delves into the meaning of Paul’s statement that it is God’s plan “to unite all things in him [i.e., Christ], things in heaven and things on earth” (1:10). It also discusses God’s plan in salvation (including election, redemption, adoption/inheritance, perseverance, and regeneration), God’s plan for the apostle Paul (including his calling and his receiving the mystery), and God’s plan in prayer (including Paul’s two prayers and his exhortation to pray and request for prayer). Chapter 2 is an in-depth study on the doctrine of union with Christ in Ephesians. In particular, using Constantine Campbell’s work as a foundation, it explicates the four concepts of union, participation, identification, and incorporation. Chapter 3, “Walking according to the Spirit,” contains three emphases, with the final emphasis receiving the most attention. First, I discuss the former way of walking, which involved being dead in sin, living as alienated strangers, and possessing futile minds and hardened hearts. Second, I explain how the foundation of walking in the Spirit is based on God’s work in Christ for us. Finally, I give attention to the freedom of walking in the Spirit, which means walking in good works, walking worthy of our calling, walking according to the new self, walking in love, walking as children of light, walking with wisdom, walking filled by the Spirit, and walking faithfully with the family of God. Chapter 4 focuses on the unity of the church, the body of Christ. Because of their mutual relationship with Christ, Jews and Gentiles can live in peace with one another. But the unity of the church allows room for a diversity of gifts that leads to the maturity of the body. Chapter 5, “Spiritual Warfare in the Present Age,” explains the present rule of Satan (his kingdom, his minions, and his power and influence), the present battle (the believer’s struggle, strength, and stand), and finally the meaning and eschatological tension between the present age and the age to come.

The goal of this book is to offer an accessible summary of the theology of Ephesians that highlights the work of God through his Son for the believer who is then able to love and enjoy God because of the ongoing work of the Spirit. It is because believers are united to Christ that they can walk in the Spirit. Paul has much to say about the behavior of Christians, but such behavior is always based on first beholding and believing in the promises of God that are given to us through Christ. We love because he first loved us, and we serve because he first served us.

1  See Rudolf Schnackenburg, “The Influence of the Epistle throughout History,” in Ephesians: A Commentary (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1991), 311–42.

2  Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, NIVAC (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996), 17. Similarly, Raymond Brown declares, “Among the Pauline writings only Rom[ans] can match Eph[esians] as a candidate for exercising the most influence on Christian thought and spirituality.” An Introduction to the New Testament (New York: Doubleday, 1997), 620.

3  Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2002), 1. Markus Barth writes, “Ephesians is among the greatest letters under the name of the apostle Paul.” Ephesians 1–3, AB 34 (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974), 3.

4  See Eph. 1:1; 3:1; 4:1; 6:20. Other possible options for the date and location of Paul’s imprisonment include sometime during his three-year visit to Ephesus (AD 52–56) or during his imprisonment in Caesarea (AD 57–59).

1

The Plan of God

If theology is the study of God, then it is appropriate that we begin our theology with God and his eternal plan. After all, Paul informs us that God is the one who works “all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). As the Creator of all things (3:9), God is the sovereign and benevolent King who is orchestrating his grand plan to redeem humanity through the seed of a woman (Gen. 3:15). The rebellion of angels and humanity alienated them from their Creator and, in the case of humanity, from one another. What began in the garden with the fall of Adam and Eve culminates with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, being first lifted up on a cross and then lifted up to the Father’s side in glory. Specifically in Ephesians, we will consider (1) God’s plan to unite all things in Christ, (2) God’s plan in salvation, (3) God’s plan in calling the apostle Paul, and (4) God’s plan in prayer.

God’s Plan to Unite All Things in Christ

In Ephesians 1:9–10, Paul provides us with a central statement of his letter. In fact, these verses (especially 1:10) represent the high point of the eulogy (a prolonged blessing) found in 1:3–14.1 Paul indicates that God’s “plan” is “to unite all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth.” The term translated “plan” (oikonomia) can mean (1) the act of administrating, (2) that which is administered (i.e., a plan), or (3) the office or role of an administrator.2 The context suggests that here it refers to God’s act of administrating his plan of redemption. The repeated vocabulary of the opening fourteen verses also indicates that God’s plan is central. Paul mentions God’s “will” (thelēma; 1:1, 5, 9, 11), “purpose” or “good pleasure” (eudokia; 1:5, 9), “purpose” (prothesis; 1:11), and “counsel” (boulē; 1:11), as well as verbs such as “choose” (eklegō; 1:4) and “predestine” (prooridzō; 1:5, 11).

But what does it mean that God’s plan is to unite all things in Christ? There are several truths related to this statement that should be highlighted. First, God desired to reveal his plan to his people. He lavished his grace on us by “making known to us the mystery of his will” (1:9). Thus God is to be blessed and praised precisely because he graciously revealed his plan to redeem fallen humanity. This plan was not something God’s people could calculate or deduce by their own reasoning, but it displays the overwhelming grace of God. So Paul writes to inform his readers of God’s gracious purpose and to instruct them of their place in his eternal plan.

Second, this plan is the revealing of a mystery. What was previously concealed as to the exact nature of God’s plan of redemption through Christ is now revealed. Although the Old Testament prophets progressively unfolded the divine design, the precise details were often shrouded and seen as shadows behind a veil. God designed all along that his people understand his purposes, but many of the details of this plan were not disclosed to his people. Although the Old Testament included the nations being blessed, it was not clear that Gentiles would be considered equal with Israel. But now, in the gospel God has revealed the mystery of his plan, which has the ultimate goal of uniting all things in Christ. More specifically, it involves uniting Jews and Gentiles into the one, new people of God. Thus the term mystery in Paul refers to something that was hidden but is now revealed, especially as it relates to God’s plan to include the Gentiles into the people of God.3 In Ephesians the mystery involves the all-inclusive plan of God to unite all things (including Jews and Gentiles) into the one body of Christ.

Third, this plan was revealed by God “according to his purpose” (1:9). The word translated “purpose” is often rendered “good pleasure.” The goodness and love of God are manifested in his plan for humankind. Because God delights in redeeming lost sinners, that is what he purposed to do. So just as God predestined his people for adoption according to his good pleasure (1:5), he also has disclosed his plans to them for his good pleasure.

Fourth, God set forth his plan “in Christ” (1:9). That is, God did not conceive of this plan in isolation, but Christ was intimately involved in planning our redemption with the Father. As Arnold notes, “Christ was not a passive observer of all that the Father was doing, but participated with him in the delight of planning a way to overcome the obstacle that sin presented to the divine-human relationship.”4 Just as God chose and adopted his people in Christ (1:5), so too God’s plan to reveal the mystery of his purposes is rooted in and revolves around Christ.

Fifth, God set forth this plan “for the fullness of time” (1:10). From the beginning God had a plan of redemption that was revealed in bits and pieces through the Old Testament prophets but was hidden until the coming of the Messiah. The exact phrase “fullness of time” does not occur elsewhere in the Bible, but the closest parallel to this unique construction is found in Galatians 4:4, where Paul states, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.”5 The incarnation, ministry, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus comprise the pivotal act in redemptive history.

Sixth, God’s perfect plan is “to unite all things” (Eph. 1:10) through his Son.6 This phrase describes the content of the mystery that was hidden in the past but is now revealed in the gospel. The only other New Testament use of the verb to unite is in Romans 13:9 where Paul notes that all of the Old Testament commandments can be “summed up” by the command to love your neighbor as yourself. “All things” most likely refers to the entire universe (cf. Eph. 3:9). This meaning is confirmed when Paul amplifies this thought by adding, “things in heaven and things on earth” (1:10). That is, it refers to not just all humanity but also the angelic realm, both good and evil, and the entire cosmos. Paul writes elsewhere that through Christ, God will “reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:20). In Romans he declares that creation itself is longing for its own redemption (Rom. 8:18–22). Thus God is in the process of uniting the entire universe around Christ. This uniting includes both the heavenly and earthly dimensions. God’s plan is unequivocally Christocentric.

Seventh, this plan centers on Christ. That is, the triune God’s work of redemption hinges on the incarnate Son of God—Jesus, the Messiah.7 Baugh comments, “The work of Christ on the cross is the central axis for the history of all creation.”8 God’s purpose is to unite all things “in him [Christ]” (Eph. 1:10). Christ is not only the means by which God will unite all the disparate elements of creation together; he is the center and focal point through whom and for whom all this will take place. Jesus defeated sin and death through his resurrection and ascension and is seated at God’s right hand ruling sovereignly over his creation. He has defeated all powers, with all his foes vanquished under his feet (1:20–22). Furthermore, Christ is head of the church, his body, which is comprised of people from diverse ethnic groups but who have all submitted to follow the Lamb of God (1:22–23). He is the one who abolished the law “that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two” (2:15). Thus “all things” will be brought under Christ’s lordship, whether the vanquished or the victorious. As Paul writes in Philippians, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10–11). Thus “God achieves his purpose for all things through what he accomplished in one person, Christ.”9 God’s gracious purpose to restore harmony for the universe centers on Jesus. In Christ, the final, climactic phase has begun in uniting all things and in bringing God’s plan to fulfillment.

God’s Plan in Salvation

The ultimate goal of God’s plan includes the redemption of the entire cosmos (Eph. 1:10) and is therefore not limited to humanity. But the renewal of humanity is the key component of God’s cosmic plan to unite all things in Christ. God’s plan to save his people is featured prominently in the first two chapters of Ephesians, especially 1:3–14. In the original Greek, this passage consists of one long sentence of 202 words. These verses contain an extended praise to God for his blessings that believers receive from their union with Christ; namely, God’s election, redemption, inheritance, and perseverance. The topic of God’s amazing love in regeneration is highlighted in 2:4–10.

Election

As Paul begins his letter in a typical Old Testament or Jewish style of a prolonged blessing (eulogy), he urges his readers to bless God since he has blessed us “with every spiritual blessing” (1:3). Specifically, the focus is on spiritual blessings or blessings that pertain to life in the Spirit. The first reason Paul gives for believers to praise God is his divine election. That is, God is worthy of our praise precisely because he has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world.

The Meaning of Election

Election is God’s choice of individuals to receive his favor before they have done anything good or bad (Rom. 9:10–11). It is not a choice that is based on (or in light of) certain deeds or choices that we make but is based solely on God’s sovereign grace (Rom. 9:16). Here in Ephesians, Paul uses two different verbs to convey this idea. He writes that God “chose” (eklegomai, 1:4) and “predestined” (prooridzō, 1:5, 11) those who believe and follow Christ. More specifically, Paul states that God’s choice of his people is related to them being predestined to be a part of his family (“for adoption,” 1:5). Thus Paul is stressing that believers should praise God because he predestined them and chose them to be his children and receive all the benefits that such a privilege affords. The verb predestine can also be translated “predetermine” or “foreordain” and occurs only four other times in the New Testament (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7). In every occurrence it refers to the work of God that emphasizes God’s sole initiative in election or predestination.

The Cause of Election

Election is the divine choice of God to grant eternal life to undeserving sinners based solely on his love and not on the goodness of those receiving his grace. It is not arbitrary but part of his grand plan of salvation and grounded in his eternal wisdom. Paul indicates that God elected or predestined his people “in love.”10 That God sovereignly elects a people for himself is not original to Paul but is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, God graciously chose Abraham and blessed him to become a blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:1–3). Later, God chose the nation of Israel to be his treasured possession, not because they were greater than the other nations or because of their righteousness, but because of his love (Deut. 7:6–8; 14:2). Similarly, in Christ, God chose individuals from all the peoples of the world to become his people, a decision based on his amazing love.

Paul also indicates that God’s election is rooted in the work of Christ. Four times in Ephesians 1:3–6 he links the blessings of God’s sovereign, electing grace to the Son: we are blessed “in Christ” (1:3); we are chosen “in him” (1:4); we are adopted “through Jesus Christ” (1:5); and we are blessed because of being “in the Beloved” (1:5). The blessings we receive are reserved specifically for those who are united with Christ through faith, those who trust in his death, resurrection, and ascension. The ability to call God our Father is possible only through Christ, who alone provides access to the Father because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Christ is not only the recipient par excellence of the Father’s love and affection (Col. 1:13), but it is through his beloved Son that we receive his blessings. Furthermore, God’s work of predestination was done “according to the purpose of his will” (Eph. 1:5). The basis of God’s choice was his own will carried out in accordance with his “purpose,” or “good pleasure,” indicating that the choosing of his people was something in which God delighted. God’s choice was also done in accordance with his “will.” God has a definite plan and redemptive purpose for adopting wayward sinners into his family.

The Time of Election

Interestingly, Paul indicates that the time of believers’ election was “before the foundation of the world” (1:4). This phrase also occurs in John 17:24 (referring to the Father’s love of the Son “before the foundation of the world”) and 1 Peter 1:20 (“[Christ] was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”). Here in Ephesians, God’s choice in election occurred before time and creation. God’s timing emphasizes that this choice was based on God’s sovereign purpose and not human merit. Paul declares in Romans 9 that God selected Jacob over