Ephesians 1:11

In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul, writing to a mixed Gentile congregation in Ephesus, in the middle of a doxology (vv. 3–14) that moves from Christ's cosmic role to the believer's place within it.

The words — ἐκληρώθημεν (eklērōthēmen), aorist passive of κληροθετέω: "we were made heirs," a completed divine act, not a human achievement. The perfect passive participle προορισθέντες (prooristhentes) marks predestination as a prior, settled fact underlying that inheritance.

The thread — The "purpose of God" language echoes Isaiah 46:10 and Romans 8:28; the inheritance motif parallels 1 Peter 1:4's "imperishable… inheritance reserved in heaven."

Why it lands — The verse strips the reader of any claim to have earned their position; they are to hold their identity as something received from a sovereign plan, not something they secured.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἐνenin ᾧhōwhom καὶkaialso ἐκληρώθημενeklērōthēmenwe have obtained an inheritance προορισθέντεςprooristhenteshaving been predestined κατὰkataaccording to πρόθεσινprothesin[the] purpose τοῦtouof the [One]τὰta<the>πάνταpantaall things ἐνεργοῦντοςenergountosworking κατὰkataaccording to τὴνtēnthe βουλὴνboulēncounsel τοῦtouof the θελήματοςthelēmatoswill αὐτοῦautouof Him

King James Version

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:

Cross-references

Romans 8:28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
1 Peter 1:4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Ephesians 1:14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Ephesians 3:11 according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.
Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Titus 3:7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.