Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
To the end that we should be (eiv to einai hmav). Final clause with eiv to and the infinitive einai (see the mere infinitive einai in verse Ephesians 1:4) and the accusative of general reference.
Who had before hoped in Christ (touv prohlpikotav en tw Xristw). Articular perfect active participle of proelpizw, late and rare compound (here only in N.T.) and the reference of pro not clear. Probably the reference is to those who like Paul had once been Jews and had now found the Messiah in Jesus, some of whom like Simeon and Anna had even looked for the spiritual Messiah before his coming.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Ephesians 1:12:
Ephesians 1:4
Ephesians 1:13
Ephesians 1:18
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