What is your understanding of Ephesians 1:3-5?

Question

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

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," - Ephesians 1:3-5.

Answer 1

God chose who will be Christians since before He created the earth. We are his adopted in that even though we were sinners, Christ died for us.
These versus are very specific, but God gives some people a spirit of stupor with eyes so they cannot see and ears so they cannot hear, like our first poster, Satan Will Triumph. It's actually very sad to watch.

Answer 2

Light makes manifest whatever is in the darkness. So a Holy Christian life reveals by contrast the sinfulness of unregenerate lives. And appropriate words of rebuke reveals sin in it's true character also. The latter part of verse 13 may better read: for whatever is made manifest is light. This simply means that when Christians exercise their ministry as light, others are brought to the light. Wicked men are brought into children of light through the reproving ministry of light. It is not a rule without exceptions, of course. Not everyone who is exposed to the light becomes a Christian. But it is a general principle in the spiritual realm that light has a way of reproducing itself. The life of the believer should always be preaching a sermon, should always be exposing the surrounding darkness, should always be extending this invitation to unbelievers. (as above). This is the voice of light speaking to those who are sleeping in darkness and lying in spiritual death. The light calls them to life and illumination. If they answer the invitation, Christ will shine on them and give them light

Answer 3

I understanding Paul to be saying a lot in those short sentences. First he praises God and clarifies that our spiritual blessings come from Him and are in Christ.
Secondly (vrs 4) He tells us that we are chosen of God,( who didn't supercede our free will to choose him but who knows all things even who is going to choose him) and states what he expects from us who he has chosen.
And lastly, that we are predestined, as I said above, not based on God picking favorites but based on our hearts and the choices he knew that we would make before the foundation of the world, into becoming his adopted children for his holy purposes.
That's how I understand those vrs.

Answer 4

After the greeting Eph 1:1-2 comes an identification of Spiritual Blessing in Christ [Jesus]. Eph 1:3-14 which is one Greek sentence; Eph 1:3-23 is the entire blessing.

Using NIV Study Bible you will find 1:3-14 explained and cross reference with Paul's other writings. The first part of the Greek sentence (verses 3-5) deals with being bless, being chosen, and being adopted. Paul states that we are blessed, chosen, and adopted in a consistent way with Paul's other writings.

Answer: This question assumes that these three verses have varying meanings; however, this entire Greek sentence really only has only one meaning when put into context.

Answer 5

It means those who accept the gift of Christ's work on the cross WILL stand before God holy and blameless because God has adopted us through Jesus.

Answer 6

Paul is talking about God's plan of salvation. It is the plan of predestination. All men are called to be saved, however this predestined plan of God must be accepted by each person. Men have free will and can reject this plan.

Free will is part of God's plan of predestination.

Answer 7

Have you ever been to an event where it was advertised that the first 500 entrants would receive T-Shirt commemorating the event?

That 500 people would be selected was 'predestined'. Before the event even started 500 T-Shirts were going to be presented to 500 people to separate them out from the crowd as special. The specific people weren't chosen.

Perhaps that may work the same way. God knew that he would have adopted children by means of Jesus' sacrifice. Who they would be would be determined or called by God.

Otherwise, where would free will and choice fit in? God doesn't force us to serve him or love regardless of any anticipated reward.

But, that's just my take on it.

Answer 8

Eph.1:13;
This is in reference to the heavenly, from Pentecost the ones sealed, or those anointed with the holy spirit as firstfruits, first resurrected for the new heavens Gal.4:26; Rev.3:12; Heb.12:22-24; new heavenly Jerusalem. Mark 13:27; John 6:39,40,44; 14:3 [ a place prepared when Michael Dan.12:1-13; &
Rev.12:3,4,6-11,12; Michael, THE WORD and Satan's short time in the time of the end is, Jesus at God's right hand to this, his heavenly power begans ];

1Cor.15:22-28,51-53; Heb.9:27;
Rev.20:-1-6.12.13; no Satan 1000 yrs, the heavenly for the new heavens are with Jesus at his 2nd coming. Rev.21:1-5; All is made as new as before Eden, 2Pet,3:13; Isa.65:17; 66:22;

Answer 9

I'm having trouble with this out of context. Read on:

7 In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace

Answer 10

God predestines people to Heaven only, per this Scripture and the CCC.