Ephesians 1:5 - Scofield Reference Notes

Bible Comments

predestinated

Predestination is that effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass.

See Election,

( See Scofield) - (1 Peter 1:2).

Foreknowledge,

( See Scofield) - (1 Peter 1:20).

adoption

Adoption (Greek, "huiothesia", "placing as a son") is not so much a word of relationship as of position. The believer's relation to God as a child results from the new birth (John 1:12); (John 1:13) whereas adoption is the act of God whereby one already a child is, through redemption from the law, placed in the position of an adult son. (Galatians 4:1-5).

The indwelling Spirit gives the realization of this in the believer's present experience (Galatians 4:6) but the full manifestation of the believer's sonship awaits the resurrection, change, and translation of saints, which is called "the redemption of the body"; (Romans 8:23); (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17); (Ephesians 1:14); (1 John 3:2).

Ephesians 1:5

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