Bible Strands
Ephesians 3:11
according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Ephesian believers, concluding his explanation of the church's role in revealing God's wisdom to heavenly authorities (Ephesians 3:10) and preceding his encouragement to approach God boldly through faith (Ephesians 3:12). He grounds the present revelation in a past divine decision executed in Christ Jesus.
The words — The phrase πρὸθεσιν αἰώνων (prothesin aiōnōn) translates literally to "purpose of the ages." Paul uses ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen), meaning "He accomplished," to describe God's definitive action in Christ Jesus.
The thread — This concept of God's prior purpose appears in 2 Timothy 1:9 regarding salvation and calling, and in Ephesians 1:4 and 1:11 regarding election and predestination according to His plan.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s eternal plan was fully executed in Christ Jesus. This requires the reader to anchor confidence in a completed divine action rather than personal merit.
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 to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
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.
- 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,
- 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
- Romans 9:11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
- 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.’
- Isaiah 14:24 The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.
- Ephesians 1:9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
- 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.
- Jeremiah 51:29 The earth quakes and writhes because the LORD’s intentions against Babylon stand: to make the land of Babylon a desolation, without inhabitant.