Ephesians 1:4 - Forerunner Commentary

Ephesians 1:4

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians 1:4:

Ephesians 1:3-5
Excerpted from: Free Will or God's Sovereignty?

This whole first chapter of Ephesians is filled with confidence and hope, encouraging us with what God has done and is doing. Here, Paul wades into the hotly-contested realm of predestination, mentioning it twice. The Amplified says, “He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children.” For verse 11, the Amplified says, “we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose.”

Now, the timid commentators say this is talking about the saints as a group, or the church in general, meaning that it was predestined only that there would be saints—that there would be a church. That is as far as they will go, and it is a very cautious way of looking at it.

But this view sidesteps what it says in verse 4. It says we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world for the purpose of our becoming holy and without blame. Chosen means picking some and excluding others for this age. The apostle says this choosing took place before the foundation of the world. So, if we are going to be objective in our studies—which we should be—we must find an explanation from Scripture as to why verse 4 does not mean what it certainly appears to be saying.

Ephesians 1:3-6
Excerpted from: Be Holy, as I am Holy

You know, from Adam, to Noah, to Abraham, to Moses, to us today, God was preparing all this before the foundations of the world. He was working. God chose you long before you were even born.

Ephesians 1:3-12
Excerpted from: Jesus in the Feasts (Part Five): Tabernacles

That is what He is working toward, making us all one in Christ and that we could all be glorified in Him, as part of Him.

Articles
Born Again or Begotten? (Part One)
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part One)
God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part One)
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Six): Complacency and Laodiceanism
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Nine): Conclusion (Part Two)
The Sovereignty of God: Part Three

Bible Studies
What Is Propitiation? (Part One)

Booklets
Guard the Truth!
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part Two)

Essays
'Before the Foundation of the World' (Part One)  (2)
Another Look at the Prosperity Gospel
Making the Right Choice

Sermons
Blessing Promises: Our Spiritual Inheritance
Moses, Servant of God
The Priesthood of God (Part 2)
The Faithfulness of God (Part 2)
The Faithfulness of God (Part 3)
The Faithfulness of God (Part 3)
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part 7)
Love God, Love Neighbor
The Love of Christ
Where Do We Fit?
Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty (Part 1)
The Harvest is Almost In
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
Who Deserves Our Loyalties?
The Meaning of "In Christ"
In Search of a Clear World View (Part One)
Spiritual Renewal
Before the World Began
Who Are We and Where Do We Fit (Part Two)
Why Is God Doing This, This Way?
His Eye is On the Sparrow (Part One)
Deuteronomy and History
Deuteronomy and History
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Six)
Offerings (Part Four)
Offerings (Part Seven)
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Two)
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Four)
They Know!
Wilderness Wanderings (Part Two)
Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part 1)
The Paradox of Terror and Rejoicing
Of God Appointed Life
Simplifying Life (Part Two)
A Misunderstood Characteristic of God
God Is Still on His Throne
Our Creator and Savior
Essential Characteristics of Our Calling
Two Realities
Think on These Things
Unleavened Bread and the Holy Spirit (Part Two)
Hebrews 2: God is Present
Preparing to Rule (1993)
The Purpose of the Church
Growing Into Liberty
Deuteronomy (Part 2) (1994)
God's Sea of Glass (Part 1)
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part 15)
The Sovereignty of God (Part 3)
The Sovereignty of God (Part 11)
Knowing Christ (Part 2)
God's Workmanship (Part 1)
Unity (Part 3): Ephesians 4 (A)
Sovereignty and 'Once Saved Always Saved'
God the Father (Part 2)
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part 12)
Qualifications of a Godly Judge
Our Awesome Destiny
Be You Thankful
Glorify You Me
According to His Pleasure
Boaz and Pentecost

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