TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY

Passage: Ephesians 1:11-14

Key verse: 12

NIV

11 In him we were also chosen,[a] having been predestined(A) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(B) of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.(C) 13 And you also were included in Christ(D) when you heard the message of truth,(E) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(F) the promised Holy Spirit,(G) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(H) until the redemption(I) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(J)

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 In him we have obtained (A)an inheritance, (B)having been predestined (C)according to the purpose of him who works all things according to (D)the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be (E)to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard (F)the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, (G)were sealed with the (H)promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is (I)the guarantee[a] of our (J)inheritance until (K)we acquire (L)possession of it,[b] (M)to the praise of his glory.

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 1:14 Or down payment
  2. Ephesians 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. God's master plan (11-12)

God is working out his plan of world redemption. He chose Paul and the apostles to be the first to hope in Christ. He raised them up to be witnesses to the ends of the earth to the good news of Jesus' death and resurrection--salvation from sin, eternal life and the kingdom of God. Through this gospel, mankind is brought to obey God's will--to the praise of his glory.

2. You also were included (13-14)

We who have heard the word of truth and believe the gospel are included in God's redemptive history. All who hear and believe the gospel are marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit. The Spirit works in our hearts to change our dirty desires into holy desires and to give us a new birth into a living hope in his eternal kingdom. His work in us is a guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. There he will finish the redemptive work he has started here. God's redemptive work in men's lives is for his glory and for our blessing.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for including me in your plan and for giving me your Holy Spirit.

One Word: To the praise of his glory