Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:11. In whom. This is to be closely connected with ‘in Him,' and here has the full sense of the Pauline phrase, ‘in Christ;' it is not equivalent to ‘through whom.'

We were also. ‘We,' i.e., all Christians; the distinction between ‘we' and ‘you' is first made in Ephesians 1:12. ‘Also' belongs to the verb, and not to ‘we'; still less to ‘whom,' as in the E. V. It does not suggest something additional, but specifies the method of carrying out the purpose set forth in Ephesians 1:9-10.

Made his Inheritance. The word used is derived from one meaning ‘lot' or ‘portion'; the notion of inheritance is an incidental one. It is passive, hence the E. V. (‘have obtained an inheritance') is incorrect. Some retain the notion of ‘lot,' as implying God's free election; but the idea is rather that of such O. T. passages as Deuteronomy 32:9 (see references), being made the portion or heritage of God, transferred into the more spiritual conceptions of the N. T.

Having been predestinated. We render ‘having been.' etc., to bring out the thought that we were predestinated to become this heritage. ‘Here first the Apostle comes to the idea of the universal Church, the whole Israel of God, and therefore here brings forward again that fore-ordination which he had indeed hinted at generally in Ephesians 1:5, but which properly belonged to Israel, and accordingly is predicated of the Israel of the Church' (Alford).

According to the purpose, etc. Comp. Ephesians 1:9.

Hi m who worketh all things. God is thus characterized, not only as almighty, but as all-efficient, working ‘all things,' whatever they may be, that can in any way affect the salvation and security of the people who have been made His heritage. But this active energy is after the counsel of his will. The former is definite determination, the latter free, sovereign, spontaneous will. The ultimate ground of the activity is found in the will of God. Sec further my note, Lange, Ephesians, p. 42.