Ephesians 1:11 - Conditional predestination?

Does Ephesians 1:11 have conditions?


Ephesians 1:11: "IN WHOM also WE-WERE-ALLOTED (AN INHERITANCE), HAVING-BEEN-PREDESTINED according-to (the) purpose (of) the (One) working all (things) IN-ACCORDINANCE-WITH THE COUNSEL (of) HIS WILL,"


In Whom:

Paul wrote about Christ "IN WHOM also we-were-alloted (an inheritance), HAVING-BEEN-PREDESTINED" (Ephesians 1:11). 

Here people are described as having been predestined "IN" CHRIST, not outside of Christ. 

This is important because to be "IN CHRIST" would be conditional. Paul wrote, using the conditional particle "IF": "IF anyone (is) IN CHRIST" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Someone "IN CHRIST" can end up being TAKEN AWAY by the Father from being "IN CHRIST", as Christ said: "I am the grapevine, YOU (ARE) THE BRANCHES" (John 15:5), "My Father is the land-worker. Every BRANCH IN ME not bearing fruit — HE-TAKES IT AWAY" (John 15:1-2). 

For more information:
Is being "in Christ" conditional?:
Click here


Inheritance:

Paul wrote about Christ "in Whom also WE-WERE-ALLOTTED (AN INHERITANCE)" (Ephesians 1:11).

Several chapters later, Paul indicated that one does not have an inheritance unconditionally, as he wrote: "For you-know this — recognizing that EVERY SEXUAL-IMMORAL or UNCLEAN or GREEDY (person) (that is, (an) idolater) DOES NOT HAVE (AN) INHERITANCE in the kingdom (of) Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5). 


According to... the counsel:

Paul wrote about "HAVING-BEEN-PREDESTINED according-to (the) purpose (of) the (One) working) all (things) IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH THE COUNSEL (of) His will" (Ephesians 1:11). 

Here people are described as having been predestined by God "IN-ACCORDANCE-WITH THE COUNSEL [boulé 1012 in Greek] (of) His will" (Ephesians 1:11). 

It is possible to reject the counsel of God, as it is written: "the Pharisees and the Law-experts REJECTED THE COUNSEL [boulé 1012 in Greek] (of) God for themselves, not having-been-baptized by him" (Luke 7:30).


According to the counsel of... His will:

Paul wrote about "HAVING-BEEN-PREDESTINED according-to (the) purpose (of) the (One) working) all (things) in-accordance-with the counsel (of) HIS WILL" (Ephesians 1:11). 

Here people are described as having been predestined by God in accordance with the counsel of "HIS WILL [theléma 2307 in Greek]" (Ephesians 1:11). 

It is possible to reject God's will. Paul wrote elsewhere: "this is (the) WILL [theléma 2307 in Greek] (of) God: your holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and then a few verses later: "God did not call us for impurity, but in holiness. So-therefore the (one) REJECTING is not rejecting (a) human, but God" (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8).


↺ Click here to return to the Table of Contents.

Comments

Popular Posts