Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
hath chosen us—Greek, "chose us out for Himself" (namely, out of the world, Galatians 1:4): referring to His original choice, spoken of as past.
in him—The repetition of the idea, "in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), implies the paramount importance of the truth that it is in Him, and by virtue of union to Him, the Second Adam, the Restorer ordained for us from everlasting, the Head of redeemed humanity, believers have all their blessings (Ephesians 3:11).
before the foundation of the world—This assumes the eternity of the Son of God (John 17:5, John 17:24), as of the election of believers in Him (II Timothy 1:9; II Thessalonians 2:13).
that we should be holy—positively (Deuteronomy 14:2).
without blame—negatively (Ephesians 5:27; I Thessalonians 3:13).
before him—It is to Him the believer looks, walking as in His presence, before whom he looks to be accepted in the judgment (Colossians 1:22; compare Revelation 7:15).
in love—joined by BENGEL and others with Ephesians 1:5, "in love having predestinated us," etc. But English Version is better. The words qualify the whole clause, "that we should be holy . . . before Him." Love, lost to man by the fall, but restored by redemption, is the root and fruit and sum of all holiness (Ephesians 5:2; I Thessalonians 3:12-13).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Ephesians 1:4:
Song of Solomon 1:15
Song of Solomon 6:9
Isaiah 44:7
Isaiah 63:8
Haggai 2:23
Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:9
Ephesians 3:9
Colossians 1:22
2 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Timothy 1:9
Titus 1:1
Hebrews 2:10
Hebrews 11:10
1 Peter 1:20
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