In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Most scholars suppose the word “we” signifies either the Jewish nation, chosen initially by God, or the apostles and those initially converted as followers of Jesus, predestined to bring God glory by sharing the Good News. These verses contrast with the verses from yesterday which spoke of the mystery of God bringing Gentiles and Jews together into one body through the blood of Christ.
When the Hebrew nation entered the Promised Land God revealed each tribe’s land inheritance through the casting of lots, and that is the same verb used here. Events that may seem random to the human eye are actually predestined as a part of God’s plan.
At some point in your life you may have dreamed of receiving a letter that some wealthy unknown relative has died and left you a fortune. Imagine being able to pay all your bills (and maybe the bills of others) and live comfortably the rest of your life through no labor or merit of your own. But how much more amazing that God would work out the course of history, choose you through no merit of your own, and bring you into the same hope of an inheritance in Christ exhibited by Paul. Our transformed lives, like those of the early disciples, will be to the praise of his glory!
Thank you so much for doing these commentaries! It really helps my pregnant brain wrap my head around the meaning of the verses!
ReplyDeleteAwww... you're welcome! I think Ephesians will get easier once we get past the first bit. Well, it will be easier to understand but maybe not to apply!
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