The Development of the Argument in Ephesians 1:3-14

There are two ways of viewing Ephesians 1:3-14, both of which are intertwined with the other and complementary to each other. It should be kept in mind that this a very explosive and emotive passage that is one long sentence in Greek. One does an injustice to the flow and argument of this passage if one tries to force it into some simplistic and well organized outline. J. Armitage Robinson suggests that the best way to understand the overall theme/themes in this passage is by tying together the recurring themes that occur repeatedly throughout these verses.1 There are three recurring thoughts/themes that are clearly seen and they are: [1] The will of God God has a plan (1:5, 9, 11). [2] In Christ God works out His plan in and through Jesus Christ (1:3-14). [3] to the praise of His glory God works out that plan in and through the person of Jesus Christ for the praise of His glory (1:6, 12, 14). I. God Has a Plan/the Will of God. Paul develops three major themes in Ephesians 1:3-14. One of the major themes has to do with the will of God. This is evident in that Paul makes reference to the manifestation of Gods will three times. [1] He predestined us to adoption according to the kind intention of His will 1:5 [2] He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 1:9 [3] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will 1:11 Notice an added insight with reference to Gods will that Paul introduces in Eph. 3:11. [4] This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He brought about/created in Christ Jesus our Lord 3:11 It is evident that Paul wants the reader to clearly understand that {1} God has a plan by which He works out all things (1:5, 9, 11). In fact, {2} Gods plan is an eternal plan (3:11) and {3} Gods eternal plan was brought into being in eternity past before the foundation of this earth (3:11, cf. 1:4). We also see from these verses that {4} Gods eternal plan was centered on our eternal salvation (1:3-14). II. God Carried Out That Plan In & Through our Lord Jesus Christ. A second theme that runs through this entire passage is the fact that God carried out His plan in & through the person of our Lord Jesus Christ as is suggested time and time again. This thought is clearly presented here and continues to be a central theme throughout this entire epistle. Many years ago, Watchman Nee wrote a book on Ephesians which is entitled: Sit, Walk & Stand. That is such a fitting title for this great book. The first part of the book (Ephesians 1-3) focuses
1

J. Armitage Robinson. St. Pauls Epistle to the Ephesians. London: Macmillan & Co., 1909, p. 19

on the concept of our being seated in Christ. That thought is reflected in the statement in Ephesians 2:6: God raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. That thought of being in Christ is first introduced in Ephesians 1:3-14. Notice how this relationship to Christ is emphasized time and time again in these verses: [1] blessed in heavenly places in Christ 1:3 [2] He (God) chose us in Him before the foundation of the world 1:4 [3] He (God) freely bestowed on us in the Beloved 1:6 [4] according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 1:9 [5] the summing up of all things in Christ 1:10 [6] in Him also we have obtained an inheritance 1:11 [7] we who were the first to hope in Christ 1:12 [8] in Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth having believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit 1:13

The theme of being in Christ runs through this entire section. As stated earlier, the concept of being in Christ is first of all introduced in Ephesians 1:3. The thought is then picked up immediately in 1:4 and is repeated over and over again in 1:7, 1:11 and 1:13. Although it is next to impossible to easily outline these verses, the repetition of the prepositional phrase in Him offers the clearest guideline for understanding the authors development of his argument. It is clear that the progression of the authors argument in Ephesians 1:3-14 centers on the repetition of the prepositional phrase in Him. Notice that immediately following the introduction of the theme of being in Christ in Ephesians 1:3, Paul proceeds to indicate that: [1] We were chosen in Him 1:4-6 [2] We were provided with redemption in Him 1:7-10 [3] We obtained an inheritance in Him 1:11-12 [4] We were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him 1:13-14

III. God Carried Out His Plan In & Through the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ for the Praise of His Glory. The third theme that runs through this passage and is referred to repeatedly in this section is the thought that God worked out our salvation as a part of His eternal plan for the praise of the glory of His grace. Reflect for a moment on this thrice repeated thought. [1] He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 1:5-6 [2] we obtained an inheritance to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 1:11-12 [3] you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of Gods own possession, to the praise of His glory. 1:13-14

The Predominate Theme in this passage & throughout the entire book is in Christ God Carried Out His Plan In & Through our Lord Jesus Christ to the praise of His glory. The concept in Christ is clearly presented in 1:3-14. It is a central theme and major thrust throughout the epistle. Notice how it is emphasized time and time again in these verses: [1] blessed in heavenly places in Christ 1:3 [2] He (God) chose us in Him before the foundation of the world 1:4 [3] He (God) freely bestowed on us in the Beloved 1:6 [4] according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 1:9 [5] the summing up of all things in Christ 1:10 [6] in Him also we have obtained an inheritance 1:11 [7] we who were the first to hope in Christ 1:12 [8] in Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth having believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit 1:13 As you observe the entire section below, you will notice that after the introduction of the concept of being in Christ in 1:3, the prepositional phrase in Him delineates the progression of the argument throughout the entire section. The theme of being in Christ runs throughout this entire section. The thought of being in Christ is first of all introduced in Ephesians 1:3. It is then picked up immediately in 1:4 and is repeated over and over again in 1:7, 1:11 and 1:13. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. 11 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, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Section #1: vv. 4-6. God chose us in Christ. Although it is extremely difficult to outline 1:3-14, the repetition of the prepositional phrase in Him offers the clearest guideline for understanding the development of the authors argument. Notice the progression of Pauls argument in 1:3-14 based upon the repetition of this prepositional phrase in Him. It is evident that immediately following the introduction of the concept of being in Christ in Ephesians 1:3, Paul proceeds to indicate that: [1] We were chosen in Him 1:4-6 [2] We were provided with redemption in Him 1:7-10 [3] We obtained an inheritance in Him 1:11-12 [4] We were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him 1:13-14 Notice the further and more detailed development of this thought in Section #1: Ephesians 1:4-6. As Paul further develops the introductory thought in 1:3 that we were blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ he proceeds to state in 1:4-7 that: 4 just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. 5 In love he predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Just as He Chose us in Him 1:4-6 kaqwV" ejxelevxato hJma'" ejn aujtw/' Having Predestined Us proorivsa" hJma'" [in love Unto Adoption as Sons eij" uiJoqesivan through Jesus Christ diaV jIhsou' Cristou Unto Himself [God the Father] diaV jIhsou' Cristou to the praise of the Glory of His Grace eij" e[painon dovxh" th'" cavrito" aujtou 4 Before the foundation of the world proV katabolh'" kovsmou

That we should be holy & blameless before Him ei\nai hJma'" aJgivou" kaiV ajmwvmou" katenwvpion aujtou'

With which He graced us (freely bestowed on us) in Christ h|" ejcarivtwsen hJma'" ejn tw'/ hjgaphmevnw/.

Section #2: vv. 7-10. God provided redemption in Christ. Immediately after introducing the concept of being in Christ in Ephesians 1:3, Paul proceeds to indicate that: [1] We were chosen in Him 1:4-6 [2] We were provided with redemption in Him 1:7-10 [3] We obtained an inheritance in Him 1:11-12 [4] We were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him 1:13-14 The theme in Christ is introduced in Ephesians 1:3. The thought is picked up immediately in 1:4 and repeated again in 1:7, 1:11 and 1:13. Notice the evidence of this in Section #2: 1:7-10. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him/in Whom we have 1:7-10 jEn w|/ e[comen /' the forgiveness of our sins the redemption through His blood thVn a[fesin tw'n paraptwmavtwn thVn ajpoluvtrwsin diaV tou' ai{mato" aujtou' according to the riches of His grace kataV toV plou'to" th'" cavrito" aujtou' which He abounded upon us h|" ejperivsseusen eij" hJma'" by making known the mystery of His will gnwrivsa" hJmi'n toV musthvrion tou' qelhvmato" aujtou' unto an administration proper to the fulness of time eij" oijkonomivan tou' plhrwvmato" tw'n kairw'n in all wisdom and insight ejn pavsh/ sofiva/ kaiV fronhvsei which He purposed in Him h}n proevqeto ejn aujtw'/ things upon heaven
&

according to thekind intention of His will kataV thVn eujdokivan aujtou the summing up of all in Chrisst ajnakefalaiwvsasqa i taV pavnta ejn tw'/ Cristw'/, 5

things upon earth taV ejpiV toi'" oujranoi'" kaiV taV ejpiV th'" gh'"

Section #3: vv. 11-12. God provided an inheritance in Christ. Immediately following the introduction of the concept of being in Christ in Ephesians 1:3, Paul proceeds to indicate that: [1] We were chosen in Him 1:4-6 [2] We were provided with redemption in Him 1:7-10 [3] We obtained an inheritance in Him 1:11-12 [4] We were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him 1:13-14 As we have seen, the theme in Christ is first of all introduced in Ephesians 1:3. The thought is then picked up immediately in 1:4 and is repeated over again in 1:7, 1:11 and 1:13. This is evident in Section #3 which is found in 1:11-12. 11 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, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him/in Whom we have obtained an inheritance 1:11-12 jEn w|/ kaiV ejklhrwvqhmen /' having been predestined proorisqevnte"

according to His purpose kataV provqesin

Who works all things according to the purpose of His will tou' taV pavnta ejnergou'nto" kataV thVn boulhVn tou' qelhvmato" aujtou'

to the end that we who were the 1st to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory eij" toV ei\nai hJma'" eij" e[painon dovxh" aujtou' touV" prohlpikovta" ejn tw'/ Cristw'/. 6

Section #4: vv. 13-14. God sealed us with the Spirit in Christ. Immediately following the introduction of the concept of being in Christ in Ephesians 1:3, Paul proceeds to indicate that: [1] We were chosen in Him 1:4-6 [2] We were provided with redemption in Him 1:7-10 [3] We obtained an inheritance in Him 1:11-12 [4] We were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Him 1:13-14 It is evident that the theme in Christ is first of all introduced in Ephesians 1:3. Then the thought is picked up immediately in 1:4 and is repeated over and over again in 1:7, 1:11 and 1:13. Notice the evidence of this in Section #4 which is found in 1:13-14. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

In Him/in Whom also 1:13-14 jEn w|/ kaiV /' after you heard ajkouvsante" aujtou' the message of truth toVn lovgon th'" ajlhqeiva" the Gospel of your salvation toV eujaggevlion th'" swthriva" uJmw'n Who is a pledge of our inheritance o{ ejstin ajrrabwVn th'" klhronomiva" hJmw'n after you believed pisteuvsante" you were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise ejsfragivsqhte tw'/ pneuvmati th'" ejpaggeliva" tw'/ aJgivw/, '

unto the redemption of Gods possession eij" ajpoluvtrwsin th'" peripoihvsew",

to the praise of His glory eij" e[painon th'" dovxh" aujtou'