“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:”
My Notes
What Does Ephesians 1:11 Mean?
Paul declares that believers have obtained an inheritance in Christ — predestinated according to the purpose of the one who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. The inheritance is not random. It is planned.
"Predestinated according to the purpose" — the predestination serves a purpose. God's election is not arbitrary. It is purposeful — aimed at a specific outcome that God determined before time.
"Of him who worketh all things" — the scope is total. God works all things — not some, not most. All things. Every event, every circumstance, every detail operates according to his purpose.
"After the counsel of his own will" — the standard for God's decisions is his own will. Not human merit, not cosmic chance, not external influence. His will. His counsel. His purpose.
The verse establishes the most comprehensive statement of divine sovereignty in Ephesians: God works all things according to his own will and purpose. Nothing escapes his counsel.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does 'obtained an inheritance' differ from earning a reward?
- 2.What does 'predestinated according to purpose' mean for the intentionality behind your life?
- 3.How is 'worketh all things' comforting rather than controlling?
- 4.Where do you need the assurance that all things are working according to God's counsel?
Devotional
We have obtained an inheritance. Obtained — received, been given. An inheritance — not earned but inherited. The position you hold in Christ was given to you as a birthright, not as a wage.
Being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things. Predestinated — determined beforehand. Your inheritance was planned before you existed. The purpose was established before time began.
Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. All things. Every thing. God is working every circumstance, every event, every detail according to his own deliberate purpose. Nothing is random. Nothing is accidental. Nothing escapes his will.
That is either terrifying or the most comforting truth in the universe — depending on whether you trust the one doing the working. If God is good and his purposes are good, then all things working according to his will means everything is moving toward something good.
The inheritance was planned. The predestination serves a purpose. The working includes everything. And the will behind it all is God's — not blind fate, not random chance, not human effort. His will. His counsel. His purpose.
You are not drifting. You are not random. You are predestinated according to purpose, inheriting what was planned before you were born, held in the hands of the one who works all things after his own will.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,.... Or a part and lot; that is, have obtained one in Christ, in his…
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance - We who are Christians. Most commentators suppose that by the word “we”…
In whom - Christ Jesus; also we - believing Jews have obtained an inheritance - what was promised to Abraham and his…
He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the…
In whom also we "We" is not emphatic. The emphasis ("also" or "even") is on the actual attainment, not on the persons…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture