Ephesians 1:11

Ephesians 1:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
• New International Version (NIV)In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
• English Standard Version (ESV)In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
• New King James Version (NKJV)In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Context of Ephesians 1:11

9He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10with regard to the fulfillment of the times [that is, the end of history, the climax of the ages]—to bring all things together in Christ, [both] things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].

Ephesians 1:11 word by word

ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἐκληρώθημεν προορισθέντες κατὰ πρόθεσιν τοῦ τὰ πάντα ἐνεργοῦντος κατὰ τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• alsoκαίkai · andG2532
• we have obtained an inheritanceκληρόωklēroō · to obtainG2820
• being predestinatedπροορίζωproorizō · to predestineG4309
• according toκατάkata · according toG2596
• the purposeπρόθεσιςprothesis · purposeG4286
• workethἐνεργέωenergeō · be activeG1754
• all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
• the counselβουλήboulē · planG1012
• willθέλημαthelēma · will/desireG2307

Cross-references for Ephesians 1:11

• Ephesians 1:14The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.
• Psalms 37:18The Lord knows the days of the blameless, And their inheritance will continue forever.
• Acts 20:32And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers].
• Acts 26:18to open their [spiritual] eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) by faith in Me.’
• Romans 8:17And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.
• Galatians 3:18For if the inheritance [of what was promised] is based on [observing] the Law [as these false teachers claim], it is no longer based on a promise; however, God granted it to Abraham [as a gift] by virtue of His promise.
• Colossians 1:12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.
• Colossians 3:24knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
• James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and [as believers to be] heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
• 1 Peter 1:4[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
• 1 Peter 3:9and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection].
• Ephesians 1:5He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—
• Isaiah 46:10Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, And from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’
• Ephesians 1:9He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,
• Ephesians 1:8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding [with practical insight]
• Job 12:13“But [only] with Him are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

Commentaries on Ephesians 1:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11In whom - Christ Jesus; also we - believing Jews have obtained an inheritance - what was promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed, viz. the adoption of sons, and the kingdom of heaven, signified by the privileges under the Mosaic dispensation, and the possession of the promised land, but all these privileges being forfeited by the rebellion and unbelief of the Jews, they are now about to be finally cut off, and the believing part to be re-elected, and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance - We who are Christians. Most commentators suppose that by the word “we” the Jews particularly are intended, and that it stands in contradistinction from “ye,” as referring to the Gentiles, in Ephesians 1:13. This construction, they suppose is demanded by the nature of the passage. The meaning may then be, that the Jews who were believers had “first” obtained a part in the plan of redemption, as the offer was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-14Verses 9-14 Blessings were made known to believers, by the Lord's showing to them the mystery of his sovereign will, and the method of redemption and salvation. But these must have been for ever hidden from us, if God had not made them known by his written word, preached gospel, and Spirit of truth. Christ united the two differing parties, God and man, in his own person, and satisfied for that wrong which caused the separation. He wrought, by his Spirit…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11In Him we were also chosen as God’s own: Paul often describes salvation as an inheritance, a promise made to our spiritual ancestors and now received by us (see Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; 4:7; Colossians 1:12; 3:24). God is sovereign (he has supreme power and authority over everything). Because of this, God ensures everything works according to his plan (compare Romans 8:28–30).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. In whom--by virtue of union to whom. obtained an inheritance--literally, "We were made to have an inheritance" [Wahl]. Compare Ep 1:18, "His inheritance in the saints": as His inheritance is there said to be in them, so theirs is here said to be in Him (Ac 26:18). However, Ep 1:12, "That we should BE TO ... His glory" (not "that we should have"), favors the translation of Bengel, Ellicott, and others, "We were made an inheritance." So the literal…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 1:11

• Atonement
• Grace of God
• Inheritance
• Jesus Continued
• Predestination
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Blame
• Decrees of God
• Election of Grace
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Eye
• Mystery
• Obtain
• Predestinate
• Predestination
• Purpose

Commentaries on Ephesians 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings