Ephesians 1:4–5
Bible verses · Also called: Ephesians 1:4-5, Eph. 1:4-5, Chosen before the foundation of the world, Chosen us in him, Adoption of children
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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,
The text is the New Korean Revised Version (1998), shown under a licence from the Korean Bible Society. Wording may differ slightly from the Korean Revised Version and the Revised New Korean Standard Version. Read in the Korean Revised Version
A passage stating that God "hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world" and predestined us in love to adoption as children. It is a key text on predestination and election, and Calvinism, Arminianism, and Karl Barth's doctrine of election each read it differently.
Context
Ephesians 1:3–14 is a hymn of praise that forms a single long sentence in the original Greek. Paul praises God for blessing believers "with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). He then unfolds these blessings as election (v. 4), predestination and adoption (v. 5), redemption and the forgiveness of sins (v. 7), and the sealing of the Holy Spirit (v. 13). The phrase "in Christ" recurs throughout the passage. Its purpose is "to the praise of the glory of his grace" (v. 6).
Interpretations
- Calvinist (Reformed) reading: God unconditionally chose particular individuals for salvation from eternity. The ground of election is not human faith or works but "the good pleasure of his will" (v. 5). Chapter 3 of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Canons of Dort cite this passage in support.
- Arminian and Wesleyan reading: This view emphasizes that God chose "in him," that is, in Christ, and holds that election concerns those who will be in Christ, namely the company of believers. Some explain that God chose on the basis of foreknowing who would believe (1 Peter 1:2).
- Christocentric doctrine of election: Karl Barth held that Christ is both the electing God and the elected human being, and that humanity is elected in Christ. Reformed critics charge that this view tends toward universal salvation.
Debates and Issues
The main questions are whether election concerns individuals or a community, and whether "us" refers to Paul and the Ephesian believers or to the church as a whole. At the same time, every tradition emphasizes that the passage stands in a context of praise rather than speculative debate: it is meant to give believers assurance and to lead them to thanksgiving. For broader discussion, see Predestination and Free Will.
Related Passages
- Romans 8:29–30
- Ephesians 1:11
- 2 Timothy 1:9
- 1 Peter 1:1–2
See also 6
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