Ephesians 1:4 kjv

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 1:4 nkjv

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

Ephesians 1:4 niv

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

Ephesians 1:4 esv

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Ephesians 1:4 nlt

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Ephesians 1 verses

Ephesians 1 4 Meaning

Ephesians 1:4 reveals God's eternal purpose and loving initiative in choosing believers in Christ before the creation of the world. This divine selection is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign will and grace, with the ultimate goal that those chosen would be holy and blameless in His presence, empowered to live a life characterized by love. It speaks of a foundational spiritual reality for all who are in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1 4 Context

Ephesians chapter 1 opens with a profound doxology, praising God for the immense spiritual blessings bestowed upon believers in Christ. Verse 4 flows directly from the declaration in verse 3, where Paul blesses God who has blessed us with "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." This verse delves into the origin and purpose of these blessings. It emphasizes God's proactive, eternal choice. The immediate context of the letter is encouraging a diverse group of believers in Ephesus, emphasizing their unity in Christ and God's grand cosmic plan to bring all things under Christ's headship (Eph 1:9-10). It challenges any reliance on human works or nationalistic pride, redirecting attention solely to God's grace and Christ's finished work.

Ephesians 1 4 Word analysis

• He chose us: The Greek word for "chose" is eklexato (ἐξελέξατο), from eklegomai, meaning "to pick out," "select," or "elect." This highlights God's sovereign initiative and deliberate selection of individuals for a relationship with Him. It's an active, definitive verb pointing to His prior action.
• in Him: The Greek is en auto (ἐν αὐτῷ), "in Him." This refers to Christ, signifying that the choice is made in union with Christ. Believers are not chosen apart from Christ, but are chosen to be in relationship with Him, indicating His central role in God's eternal plan and the salvation process.
• before the foundation of the world: The Greek phrase is pro katabolēs kosmou (πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου). Pro means "before"; katabolē can mean "a laying down" or "founding," and kosmou means "of the world." This phrase stresses the timeless and eternal nature of God's choice, indicating that His plan for redemption and the inclusion of believers existed prior to creation itself. It emphasizes divine forethought, not an afterthought.
• that we should be: This signifies the purpose or result of God's choice. God's election is not merely a label but has a teleological aim for the chosen ones.
• holy: The Greek word is hagious (ἁγίους), meaning "set apart," "consecrated," "sacred." This refers to both positional holiness (set apart for God's purposes) and practical holiness (living a life dedicated to God, free from defilement). It implies separation from sin and dedication to God.
• and blameless: The Greek word is amōmous (ἀμώμους), meaning "without blemish," "spotless," "irreproachable." This word was often used for sacrificial animals without defect. Here, it refers to moral and spiritual purity, implying a character that is faultless and stands undefiled before God. It complements "holy" by emphasizing the moral perfection God desires in His chosen people.
• before Him: The Greek is katenōpion autou (κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ), literally "in front of His face" or "in His sight." This indicates the divine scrutiny under which believers are to stand. Our holiness and blamelessness are not merely for human observation but are evaluated in the immediate presence of God. It highlights accountability and intimacy with God.
• in love: The Greek is en agapē (ἐν ἀγάπῃ). This phrase is syntactically debated, but often understood to modify "that we should be holy and blameless before Him," meaning that our holiness and blamelessness are to be expressed and lived out in the sphere of love. It could also imply that God made this choice out of love. Given the emphasis on God's character and the flow to verse 5, where "in love" clearly refers to God's predisposition for adoption, it is best understood as reflecting the sphere in which our chosen status and goal of holiness are actualized, or as an expression of the ground of God's actions toward us. God's electing love precedes our own love and is the environment of our new life.

• "He chose us in Him": This phrase emphasizes the secure, Christ-centric nature of divine election. Election is not an abstract concept but finds its reality and purpose in Christ, meaning that Christ Himself is central to God's plan and the locus of all divine blessing. It implies salvation and reconciliation through Him.
• "chose us... before the foundation of the world": This signifies the eternal nature of God's purpose for humanity. It underlines His sovereignty and foreknowledge, asserting that His plan predates human history and decision-making, offering ultimate comfort and security to believers that their redemption is not an accidental outcome but a deliberate, pre-planned act of God. This counters any view of God reacting to human choices or deserving salvation through works.
• "that we should be holy and blameless before Him": This highlights the ultimate aim of God's election: moral and spiritual transformation. It is not merely for privilege, but for sanctification—a life of ethical purity and devotion acceptable to God. This goal transcends ritualistic or superficial piety, aiming for an inner transformation witnessed by God. It defines the character God seeks to cultivate in His chosen ones.
• "holy and blameless... in love": This underscores that the ethical transformation and consecrated life God intends is always to be permeated and characterized by divine love. This love can refer to God's love for us as the motivating factor for His choice and enablement for our sanctification, or our love for God and others as the ultimate expression and proof of our holiness and blamelessness. The latter resonates with Christ's commandment to love.

Ephesians 1 4 Bonus section

This verse implies profound security for believers, as their salvation and standing before God are anchored in God's immutable, pre-temporal will, not fluctuating human performance or merit. The phrase "in Him" highlights that Christ is the divinely appointed sphere within which all blessings, including election, exist and are appropriated. Our being chosen "in Him" signifies a deep, ontological union with Christ that makes this holiness and blamelessness possible. It means God views believers through the lens of Christ's perfect righteousness, while also intending to practically transform them into that likeness. This verse doesn't negate human responsibility or the call to repentance and faith; rather, it identifies divine election as the ultimate, enabling source that brings about these responses in the believer's life.

Ephesians 1 4 Commentary

Ephesians 1:4 provides a foundational theological truth: God’s grace precedes creation. He proactively chose believers "in Christ" before time began. This underscores His sovereignty and immense love. The choice is not due to any merit in humanity but stems entirely from God’s character and design. The ultimate purpose of this eternal election is the spiritual and moral transformation of His people, that they would be "holy" (set apart for Him) and "blameless" (free from spiritual and moral fault) "before Him." This means a purity acceptable in God's presence, attained through Christ. This entire divine initiative is rooted in and expressed through "love," both God's love for humanity and the love believers are called to embody as a result of their changed nature.

Practical examples:

• A believer finding security and peace, knowing their faith journey is part of God's ancient, unchanging plan.
• Facing temptations, understanding the call to be holy and blameless gives strength to live a consecrated life "before Him."
• Cultivating an "in love" posture in relationships, as a demonstration of the character God seeks to form through election.