Ephesians 1:11-14 English Standard Version
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Dr. John MacArthur:
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance. Christ is the source of the believer’s divine inheritance, which is so certain that it is spoken of as if it has already been received. Cf. 1 Cor. 3:22, 23; 2 Pet. 1:3, 4. being predestined. Before the earth was formed, God sovereignly determined that every elect sinner—however vile, useless, and deserving of death—by trusting in Christ would be made righteous. See note on v. 4. who works all things. The word translated “works” is the same one from which “energy,” “energetic,” and “energize” are derived. When God created the world, He gave it sufficient energy to begin immediately to operate as He had planned. It was not simply ready to function, but was created functioning. As God works out His plan according “to the counsel of His will,” He energizes every believer with the power necessary for his spiritual completion (cf. Phil 1:6; 2:13). to the praise of His glory. God’s glory is the supreme purpose of redemption (cf. vv. 6, 14). trusted, after you heard the word. The God-revealed gospel of Jesus Christ must be heard (Rom. 10:17) and believed (John 1:12) to bring salvation. 1:13, 14 sealed with the Holy Spirit. God’s own Spirit comes to indwell the believer and secures and preserves his eternal salvation. The sealing of which Paul speaks refers to an official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract, or other document. That document was thereby officially under the authority of the person whose stamp was on the seal. Four primary truths are signified by the seal: 1) security (cf. Dan. 6:17; Matt. 27:62–66); 2) authenticity (cf. 1 Kin. 21:6–16); 3) ownership (cf. Jer. 32:10); and 4) authority (cf. Esth. 8:8–12). The Holy Spirit is given by God as His pledge of the believer’s future inheritance in glory (cf. 2 Cor. 1:21).
Dr. Albert Mohler:
As a people “chosen” by God, believers are his allotment or portion. God claimed them as his possession or inheritance similar to the way he claimed Israel as his heritage (Ex 19:5; Dt 4:20; 9:29; 32:8–9). Alternatively, “chosen” could refer to the inheritance that believers receive. In this case, believers are not the inheritance that God receives but receive an inheritance from him. God predestined all of this by his sovereign initiative according to his plan, purpose, and will. “We” could refer to Paul and Jewish believers (with the “you” of Eph. 1:13 referring to Gentiles) or could be used generically of all believers. Believers should praise God because he has sealed them with the Holy Spirit. The shift from “we” (vv. 11–12) to “you” could signify that Paul is now speaking to Gentiles or could emphasize his readers’ participation in this blessing. The Spirit was promised to Israel in the Old Testament (Isa 32:15; 44:3; Eze 11:19; 36:26–27; 37:14; Joel 2:28–29) and is the means by which God seals his people, protecting them from his judgment and serving as a down-payment or deposit guaranteeing that believers are God’s possession and will acquire their future inheritance. The presence of the Spirit is assurance that believers will receive all that Christ has accomplished for them.
Dr. R.C. Sproul
Paul anticipates what he will say in 3:6 about Jews and Gentiles being “fellow heirs” of the promise in Christ. Believing Jews of Paul’s day, “who were the first to hope in Christ” (v. 12), have become heirs by the will of God. Gentiles who have now received the same promise that was made to Israel—the gift of the Holy Spirit—have likewise become heirs to the praise of God’s glory.
