Ephesians 1:9–12

The Father’s plan done by the Son

And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

In a million years we would not have devised God's saving plan for the world. Rather, God devised it “in accordance with the riches of [his] grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Not only would we not have thought up a plan like this, but we would never have grasped or understood it if God had not “made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” The “mystery” of God’s will shall be treated more fully later in this letter (3:2-13). Suffice it at this stage to say that the mystery of God’s will is almost synonymous with God’s plan of salvation, that is, his will to save sinners. God’s plan is not mysterious in the sense that it mystifies people or is incomprehensible to them. It is a mystery only in the sense that people cannot come to understand it by themselves. God has to explain it to them and lead them to know it and accept it. And that he does, of course, in the gospel that proclaims his grace in Christ.

Although a fuller explanation of the mystery is coming in chapter 3, Paul does not leave us waiting until then without a clue. The mystery of God’s will, Paul tells us, has as its purpose, “to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”

Recall that in writing to the Colossians, Paul stresses the greatness of Christ, who is the head of the church. In Ephesians the same subject matter is treated, but from the other side. Here Paul talks much about the church, of which Christ is the head. However, not just the church but “all things in heaven and on earth” are to be brought together under Christ. Hence, we might say that in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul sets forth God’s stated purpose and plan to bring all things in general, and the church in particular, under the headship of Christ. (See also verse 22.)

In speaking of how God’s eternal plan centers on Christ, Paul returns once more to the subject of election and predestination. He states, “In him [Christ] we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

When we hear such expressions as “predestined according to the plan” and “in conformity with the purpose of his will,” we realize that nothing of which Paul speaks is happening by chance. Everything occurs exactly according to God’s carefully foreordained plan, which was in place already in eternity.

In verses 4 and 5 Paul spoke in general terms about election and predestination. Now in verse 12 he narrows his focus and becomes specific about God’s plan. Here Paul gives a clear indication of who the “we” are whom God chose. “We, who were the first to hope in Christ,” are the people of the Jewish nation, among whom Paul includes himself.

In order to fulfill his promise of a Savior, given to Adam and Eve already in the Garden of Eden, God chose Abraham out of all the families of the world and gave him three specific promises. God promised that he would make Abraham into a great nation, that his descendants would live in a special land, and that from the Jewish nation, the Savior of the world would be born.

Before the world began, in keeping with his carefully laid out plan, God chose the descendants of Abraham, the Jewish nation, as his own special people. And in time he carried out that plan, as Paul’s readers clearly understood.

Why did God do that? Paul answers, “In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” God’s faithfulness to his promise, his reliability in sticking with his plan, and his patience with rebellious Israel serve to magnify God’s glory. Well might Paul urge his readers, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 3).

God’s faithfulness to the Jewish nation was only part of his plan, though. Paul hints at that when he says, “We . . . were the first to hope in Christ,” implying there are others. “We Jews may have been the first to believe in Christ,” Paul says—but he quickly adds, “You [Ephesian readers, Gentiles by birth] also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” The Jews are part of God’s plan, but in Christ the Gentiles are also in the picture. 

Note the implications of that for God’s plan and purpose of bringing “all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”