Devine Scripture

Ephesians 1:5

What does Ephesians 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 1:5 means

God “foreordained” believers to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ. Adoption means new status and family belonging, with all the rights and intimacy of children brought into the Father’s household. This destiny rests on “the good pleasure of his will,” highlighting God’s delight in saving, not reluctant tolerance. The means is “through Jesus Christ,” whose Sonship becomes the pattern and channel for ours. Adoption reminds us salvation is more than pardon; it is relationship and inheritance. The Father sets his love on us, deciding beforehand to make us his own in Christ, and this decision flows from his gracious purpose, not our merit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As we were designed before by him for the position of sons to himself, through Jesus Christ, in the good pleasure of his purpose,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

having marked us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Context

After speaking of election (verse 4), Paul now clarifies what we were elected for—adoption. The eternal plan takes shape: from choice to family inclusion. Verse 6 will state the aim of this gracious act: the praise of God’s glorious grace. This flow underscores that salvation’s blessings are relational and celebratory. The doxology continues to unfold the Father’s initiative, the Son’s mediation, and the Spirit’s application, weaving a Trinitarian tapestry that will climax in sealing and inheritance (verses 13–14).

v.4even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:

v.5This passage

v.6to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;

  • Matthew 11:26

    yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

  • Romans 8:14

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

  • Jeremiah 3:4

    Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth?

  • Romans 8:29

    For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

  • Romans 8:23

    And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

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