Bible Strands
Ephesians 1:4
For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The apostle Paul addresses the Ephesian church, extending his opening blessing by tracing God’s initiative to select them for Himself.
The words — ἐξελέξατο (exelexato) translates literally as “He chose,” and καταβολῆς (katabolēs) means “foundation,” locating the divine act prior to creation.
The thread — The text anchors this pre-temporal choice in 2 Timothy 1:9 regarding a calling not based on works, in Romans 8:28 on God ordering all things according to His purpose, and in Ephesians 2:10 where good works are prepared in advance.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to acknowledge that their standing before God originates in His prior decision, not human merit, and to pursue holiness as a response to that established reality.
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
King James Version
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
- 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.
- Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.
- Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
- 1 Peter 1:20 He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.
- Revelation 13:8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
- 1 Peter 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.