Ephesians 1:5: Predestined to Adoption by Kindness

Predestination. I don't know another word that brings out the fangs of controversy as readily as this word. And since I believe robust dialogue is a great learning tool, that's okay. But the problem isn't the controversy. The problem usually is that those engaged in the debate are unaware of the real issues. Let's take a look at this verse to see if we can clarify some things.

1) Whatever "predestined" means, God did it, according to Paul. That means whoever you are, and whatever theological track you're treading, you have to believe in the doctrine of predestination if you want to be square with the Bible. We are all "predestinarians."

2) In deciding what "predestined" means we can't start with our own desires for what it needs to mean in order to satisfy our hearts, or our perspective on who God needs to be. We have to ask: what does Paul think it means when he uses it? and what does Peter think it means when he uses it? It is essential to recognize that the beginning place of meaning in any piece of literature is" what did the original author intend the original audience to understand from the words that he used?"

So, what did Paul mean here? Let's take a look at the word itself. Predestined translates the Greek word "proorizo" which generally means "to predetermine, to decide beforehand". In Romans 8:29,30 Paul links this term in a series and in so doing shows us that when God "predetermines" something, it always happens: "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined [to become] conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."

Did you notice that the "whom" that are foreknown and predestined end up being justified and glorified? If this were five lengths of garden hose all linked together, there would be no leakage; whatever goes in the front is guaranteed to come out the end. So it is with the redemption of sinners. Those whom God "predetermines" run no risk of missing out on justification in this life, and glorification in the next. It is also clear here that not all are predestined since we must agree that not all are justified and glorified. Predestination is God's determination to act redemptively toward those who have been "chosen in HIm" (vs. 4). And remember, Paul is listing these as the "blessings" God has for us!

3) The real challenge is determining the basis for God's predestination of some to salvation. Just why did God predetermine to save some and not others? This is so hard for us to even think about simply because, on the face of it, it appears to be unfair and even capricious on God's part. And so we often come up with reasons that we feel make it easier to accept, and that make God out to be fair.

The first option is that God predetermined to save those who He knew would one day act in faith, believing the message of the Gospel. He looked ahead in history to see who would believe, and then predetermined to grant them salvation. This has the benefit of making God act fairly in granting the blessings of forgiveness because it is conditioned on belief. But, will this idea stand up to the evidence?

First of all, we have to agree that, in Romans 8:29 where "foreknew" precedes "presdestined" and forms the basis for the action of predestination, it does not say that God foreknew something about them. It simply says He foreknew them.

Secondly, when we look at Peter's use of the term "foreknew" in Acts 2:23 we see that the object of God's "foreknowing" was the Cross. If "foreknow" means to look ahead into human history to see what human's will decide so that God can make it part of His predetermined plan, then we have some real problems with the Cross. The crucifixion of Christ becomes something that God put into the plan because He looked ahead an saw that wicked men would kill His Son. But this goes against the very argument Peter is making here. Peter is adamant that the Cross was God's idea. It wasn't a concession to the evil of mankind; it was God's designed instrument to overthrow the Devil, remove the wrath of God for sin, and redeem those chosen in Christ before time even began.

So, if the "looked ahead to see belief" theory can't stand up, just what is the reason behind God's predestination? What did He "foreknow?" The answer is found in the meaning of "foreknow." Biblically, the work "know" can speak of intimate relationship (see: Genesis 4:1; Amos 3:2). Simply said, God chose us in Christ, and in so doing entered into an intimate relationship with us as those He determined to be objects of His redeeming love. That's Paul's point, and he considers it at the top of the "blessings" list.

The verse ends with Paul's comment on the disposition of God in all this. It may surprise you to recognize that Paul ascribes the action of predestination to God's kindness. His will in predestination is here described as having a kind intention. Be sure to take this in! Too often predestination and election are used to suggest that, understood in the way I have shown, God is made out to be a tyrannt, a despot, an unfeeling and capricioius God. Not so! Paul looks at what those in Christ have been granted while undeserving and considers them all to be the recipients of God's great kindness.

Paul understood that, unless God intervened powerfully in his life he would never have seen the light, never had heard the call of Christ, never have known forgiveness, and never have entered into life eternal. Why? As he will tell us in Chapter 2, it was because he was spiritually dead, unwilling and unable to right himself, or bring himself savingly to the One who could. All of his days Paul considered God's loving and redemptive action toward him to be unmerited, and the greatest blessing of all.

Hope this helps,

David