Ephesians 1:9 kjv
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians 1:9 nkjv
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
Ephesians 1:9 niv
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
Ephesians 1:9 esv
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
Ephesians 1:9 nlt
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ ? which is to fulfill his own good plan.
Ephesians 1 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 16:25 | Now to Him who is able to establish you...according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested... | God's mystery now revealed to the world. |
| Col 1:26 | that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known... | God chose to reveal His hidden mystery to believers. |
| Eph 3:3-5 | by revelation there was made known to me the mystery... which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; | The mystery of Christ revealed by the Spirit. |
| 1 Cor 2:7-8 | But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; which none of the rulers of this age has understood... | God's hidden wisdom was purposed before creation. |
| Isa 46:10 | Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ | God declares His sovereign plan from eternity. |
| Ps 33:10-11 | The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. | God's counsel and plans are eternal and unshakeable. |
| Heb 6:17 | In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose... | God's purpose is unchangeable and sure. |
| Acts 2:23 | this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. | God's pre-determined plan includes Christ's crucifixion. |
| Eph 1:5 | He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will; | God's will is the source of predestination and adoption. |
| Phil 2:13 | for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. | God's will and power work according to His good pleasure. |
| Matt 11:25-26 | At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was pleasing in Your sight." | Revelation is by God's sovereign, pleasing will. |
| Luke 12:32 | "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." | God's pleasure is to grant the kingdom to His chosen. |
| Rom 9:15-16 | For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or on the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. | God's choices are rooted in His sovereign mercy. |
| Dan 4:35 | All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ | God's will is irresistible and supreme over all creation. |
| John 15:15 | No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. | Christ reveals the Father's purposes to His friends. |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. | God reveals His counsel before acting definitively. |
| 1 Cor 2:10 | For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. | The Holy Spirit reveals God's deep truths to believers. |
| Ps 25:14 | The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He makes known to them His covenant. | God makes His covenant known to those who reverence Him. |
| Titus 1:2 | in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, but has now at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation... | God promised eternal life according to His purpose. |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity... | Our salvation is from God's eternal purpose and grace. |
| Acts 17:25 | nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. | God's sufficiency: His purposes arise from Himself. |
Ephesians 1 verses
Ephesians 1 9 Meaning
Ephesians 1:9 reveals God's gracious initiative in making known to believers a profound divine "mystery." This mystery, previously hidden, concerns His sovereign will and eternal plan for salvation and cosmic unity, ultimately centered in Christ. Paul emphasizes that this revelation stems purely from God's benevolent good pleasure, a purpose which He Himself decided and set forth within His own divine being before creation, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty, perfect foresight, and boundless love.
Ephesians 1 9 Context
Ephesians chapter 1 opens with a profound doxology, a song of praise (Eph 1:3-14), describing the rich spiritual blessings believers have in Christ. This entire section in Greek is essentially one long sentence, meticulously detailing God's eternal plan for salvation, starting from His sovereign election (v.4) before the foundation of the world, through redemption and forgiveness in Christ (v.7), and culminating in the sealing of believers with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of future inheritance (v.13-14). Verse 9 specifically elaborates on what God has revealed as part of these blessings: the "mystery of His will." This revelation of God's overarching purpose – to unite all things in Christ, bringing Jew and Gentile together as one new humanity – is a central theme in Ephesians, emphasizing unity and God's control over all creation. Historically, this revelation countered pagan beliefs in fate or fragmented deities by presenting one God with a coherent, unified, and all-encompassing plan.
Ephesians 1 9 Word analysis
- having made known (γνωρίσας - gnōrisas): From gnorizo, a participle meaning "to declare, make known, reveal." It signifies God's deliberate and active disclosure of truth that was previously concealed. This knowledge is not achieved through human inquiry or wisdom, but through divine revelation, highlighting God's grace and initiative in communicating His purposes to His creation.
- to us: Refers to all believers, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile converts in the early church. This demonstrates the universal reach of God's redemptive plan and His inclusivity, particularly a key aspect of the "mystery" revealed in Ephesians (Eph 2:11-22, 3:6).
- the mystery (μυστήριον - mystērion): In the New Testament, particularly in Paul's writings, mystērion does not refer to something inherently unknowable or a secret ritual in a pagan cult. Instead, it denotes a divine truth that God has previously hidden but now chooses to reveal at a predetermined time. In Ephesians, the core of this mystery is God's long-held purpose to unite all things, especially Jews and Gentiles, in Christ, making them fellow heirs and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph 3:6). It signifies the unfolding of God's eternal, redemptive plan in history.
- of His will (τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ - tou thelēmatos autou): thelēma means "will, purpose, desire, design." This signifies God's sovereign intent, His fixed plan and purpose for all of creation, particularly regarding humanity's salvation. It implies a rational, determined, and authoritative decision by God Himself, not subject to external influence or human reasoning.
- according to His good pleasure (κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν αὐτοῦ - kata tēn eudokian autou): eudokia signifies "good will, pleasure, delight, purpose, or satisfaction." This phrase underscores that God's plan and its revelation stem entirely from His own inherent benevolence, free volition, and intrinsic delight. It is not compelled by any external necessity or human merit, but arises purely from His sovereign and loving disposition. This highlights the gracious and unmerited nature of salvation.
- which He purposed (ἣν προέθετο - hēn proetheto): From protithēmi, meaning "to set before, set forth, plan beforehand, propose, or determine." This emphasizes the pre-temporal, settled, and deliberate nature of God's plan. His purpose was established and determined within Himself from eternity past, demonstrating divine foresight and immutable resolve. It was not a reactionary plan but an eternally conceived blueprint.
- in Himself (ἐν αὐτῷ - en autō): This concluding phrase powerfully emphasizes that God's purpose originated solely within His own divine being. God is the sole source, subject, and ultimate goal of this plan. It affirms His self-sufficiency, independent wisdom, and absolute sovereignty. The plan is perfect because it stems from His perfect character, determined wholly apart from external counsel or conditions.
Words-group Analysis:
- "having made known to us the mystery of His will": This foundational phrase points to a divine act of disclosure. God, out of His sovereign choice, unveils His long-concealed blueprint concerning His purposes for the universe and humanity. The "mystery" specifically relates to His will for universal redemption and reconciliation, particularly how He integrates previously estranged groups (Jew and Gentile) into one unified body in Christ.
- "according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself": This highlights the divine origin and unchangeable nature of God's plan. It asserts that His grand scheme for salvation is rooted deeply in His own sovereign will and benevolent design, determined entirely by Him, for His own good and wise purposes, long before anything came into existence. This provides absolute assurance regarding the certainty and goodness of God's intentions.
Ephesians 1 9 Bonus section
The Pauline concept of "mystery" is distinct from the esoteric knowledge found in Gnostic traditions or pagan mystery cults, where knowledge was selectively disclosed to initiates to maintain secrecy and power. God's mystery, in contrast, was "hidden" not to be perpetually concealed, but to be "made known" (revealed) in the fullness of time, specifically through the preaching of the Gospel and the apostolic ministry. This publicly revealed truth is for all believers. This revelation marks a new, distinct phase in God's eternal redemptive program. Furthermore, the emphasis on God purposing "in Himself" speaks to His immutable nature and ultimate authority. His plan is not a response to human failure or an afterthought; it is part of His original, perfect design for the universe and for humanity's reconciliation through Christ.
Ephesians 1 9 Commentary
Ephesians 1:9 presents the core of God's benevolent purpose, now unveiled. It highlights that the deep truth of God's will – particularly the unifying work of Christ in breaking down barriers and forming one new humanity (as further elaborated in Ephesians) – is not a truth human intellect could discover or devise. Rather, it is a "mystery," something divinely known and deliberately revealed. This revelation is an act of pure grace, flowing directly from God's "good pleasure." This isn't arbitrary but signifies God's intrinsic delight in His own perfect and benevolent design. The phrase "which He purposed in Himself" further cements the eternal, self-originated nature of this divine plan. It ensures that God's intentions are not contingent upon human action or external circumstances but arise from His independent and flawless character, demonstrating His supreme sovereignty and faithful commitment to His cosmic redemption plan.
Examples:
- Assurance: In a world of uncertainty, this verse assures believers that God operates by a pre-ordained, benevolent plan, bringing peace to the anxious heart.
- Unity: Understanding this mystery promotes unity in the church, reminding believers (Jew and Gentile alike) that they are equal beneficiaries of God's singular purpose.
- Divine Initiative: It inspires humility and worship, acknowledging that our salvation and understanding of God's ways are gifts of His revelation, not human achievement.