Ephesians 1:5

Having predestinated us Again an aorist, not a perfect, in the Greek; referring to a definite past act. For the same word, in the Greek, cp. Ephesians 1:11; Acts 4:28 (E. V. "determined"); Romans 8:29-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7 (E. V. "ordained"). It is lit. "to define, mark out, set apart, beforehand." All idea of blind destinymust be excluded; the "pre-ordination" is the act of the Living and Holy God. But while we can thus repose upon its justice, it is none the less sovereign. And it is a cause, not an effect, of good desires and holiness in the saints.

the adoption of children For the (one) word rendered thus, cp. Romans 8:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 9:4; Galatians 4:5. The sacred truth of the filialrelation of the saints to their Lord's Father (see above on Ephesians 1:2) comes out further Ephesians 3:15; Ephesians 4:6; Ephesians 5:1. This sonship has two aspects in the N. T.; the generativeaspect, a change in the state of will, character, nature, a new birth; and, as here, the adoptiveaspect, a divinely legal institution into filial position and privilege. In the eternal Idea this latter may be said to be first in order; and thus it stands here, in this account of the heavenly origin of our salvation.

by Jesus Christ Lit., through Jesus Christ; Representative and Mediator. As in the Old Creation (see e.g. John 1:3, "all things came into being through Him" ;and cp. Hebrews 1:2) so in the New, the Father works through the Son, Whom He "gives," "anoints," "sanctifies," "sends."

to himself As the Father is the Origin of the process of Redemption, so He is continually presented as its End. See the Lord's discourses in St John's Gospel, passim, and e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:28; Philippians 2:11. This fact makes it on the other hand the more deeply significant that the same language is used also with reference to the Son; e.g. below ch. Ephesians 5:27. And cp. "forHim," Colossians 1:16.

according to the good pleasure&c. The ultimate account of all Divine procedure, from the creature's point of view. Nothing in that Will is capricious; all is supremely wise and good. But it enfolds an "unseen universe" of reasons and causes wholly beyond our discovery; and here precisely is one main field for the legitimate exercise of faith; personal confidence as to the unknown reasons for the revealed action of a Known God. Cp. Mat 11:26; 1 Corinthians 1:21. The word rendered "good pleasure" means specially (in N. T.) deliberate beneficent resolve.