Faith without religion.
Predestination and Unity in Ephesians
In our recent study, we delved into Ephesians 1:4-11, exploring the complex themes of predestination and God’s sovereignty. This passage is often cited by Calvinists to support the idea of unconditional election, suggesting that God predestined certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world. However, a closer examination of the context within Ephesians reveals a different perspective.
Paul’s emphasis in Ephesians is on God’s overarching plan to unite Jews and Gentiles into one body through Christ, which he refers to as the “mystery” of God’s will. This mystery, as Paul elaborates in Ephesians 3, is the inclusion of Gentiles as fellow heirs in the body of Christ. The predestination mentioned in Ephesians 1 is not about individual salvation but rather about God’s plan for the nation of Israel to play a pivotal role in this unification.
The terms “we” and “us” in the passage refer to the Jewish people, who were the first to hope in Christ, while “you” refers to the Gentiles who later joined this new body. This interpretation aligns with the broader context of Ephesians, where Paul discusses the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles to create one unified church.
By understanding the context and the specific focus of Paul’s message, we can see that the predestination in Ephesians 1 is about God’s plan for the nation of Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles, rather than a deterministic view of individual salvation. This perspective invites us to appreciate the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, as intended by God’s eternal purpose.