Ephesians 1:5 brings forth the profound and joyful reality of our adoption into God's family as a believer.

The astonishing privilege of adoption

In the first century, Roman law offered a potent picture of what it meant to be adopted. The process was not simply about welcoming a child into a new family, but about establishing a new legal and relational identity.

• Legal standing: An adopted person was legally seen as a new individual, their old life and all former debts completely erased. When we are born again, God adopts us, our old life of sin and our spiritual debts are wiped clean, as though they never existed. Isaiah 1:18
• New family and name: The adopted person received the new family's name and all family rights and privileges. As adopted children of God, we receive his name and a new, unbreakable relationship with him as our "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15).
• Secure inheritance: Adoption secured a person's inheritance. The newly adopted heir was a co-heir with the biological children already in the family and could not be disinherited. This speaks to our eternal security in Christ. We are co-heirs with Christ, and our inheritance is certain and secure because it is rooted in God's eternal purpose, not our own merit.

A decision made in love and for pleasure

Ephesians 1:5 tells us that God did not adopt us out of obligation, but "in accordance with his pleasure and will".

• An act of love: The apostle Paul states that God predestined us "in love". This was an initiative that flowed from his own character, not because we were attractive or deserving. God chose to adopt us when we were still "enemies in rebellion" against him, demonstrating his great mercy and grace (Romans 5:8-10).
• His good pleasure: The phrase "according to his good pleasure" highlights God's joyful and deliberate decision to bring us into his family. He delighted in the plan to make us his own children, and this plan was in place "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). Mankind is the climax of creation.

Addressing The Term Predestined

Ephesians 1:5 does not necessarily support the view that God predestined specific individuals for salvation, one must focus on the context of the passage, the meaning of "predestined," and the distinction between God's pre-determined plan and the eternal destiny of individuals

1. The focus is on adoption, not eternal salvation

Ephesians 1:5 states that God "predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ." The context emphasizes the destination of believers, not the selection of who will become a believer. 

·       Corporate, not individual, destiny: The verse describes what God has planned for all who become part of the body of Christ, not his decision to save some and not others. God's predetermined plan was to bring into his family all those who would believe in Jesus.

·       Legal standing, not initial choice: The term "adoption" refers to the new legal and relational standing believers have with God. It is a future reality that awaits all who have come to faith, not the means by which they are made to believe. 

2. The phrase "in Christ" qualifies the predestination

The passage emphasizes that God's actions—choosing, predestining, and adopting—are all "in Christ". 

·       The believer's position: This means that God predestined believers as believers to be adopted as his sons. The predestination is to the destiny that comes from being united with Christ through faith, not a pre-selection to have faith itself.

·       Jesus is the chosen one: Some interpretations suggest that Jesus is the one "chosen in him before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4), and that all who join him by faith are swept up in God's eternal plan for him. 

3. Predestination is for holiness and glorification

The purpose of this predestination is for believers to be made "holy and blameless" before God and to be conformed to the image of his son. 

·       Sanctification, not justification: This understanding views predestination as a promise of glorification and eternal security for those who come to faith, not a predetermination of who gets justified. It focuses on the destiny of the believer, not the decision of the unbeliever.

·       God's promise of preservation: The predestination is God's commitment to ensure that every person who believes in Jesus will be glorified with him. It is about the preservation of the saints, which gives believers eternal security. 

4. Interpretation based on God's foreknowledge

An alternative interpretation of predestination and eectionis based on God's foreknowledge, which does not negate human choice.

·       God knows but does not cause: This view holds that God, being outside of time, knows who will choose to believe in Jesus but does not cause their decision. The predestination is therefore based on his foreknowledge of their freely willed faith.

·       Predestination follows faith: Those who, out of their free will, enter the category of believers in Christ are then predestined for adoption and glorification. This means that predestination does not cause faith but is a result of it, from God's eternal perspective. 

5. It elevates God's grace rather than limiting it

Contemplating our adoption by God should change our perspective on ourselves and our purpose.

·       Live a life of praise of Him: Our adoption is not for our own glory. The ultimate purpose of this plan is "to the praise of his glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:6). Adopting unworthy sinners into his family magnifies his grace, rather than making it appear exclusive. 

A moment for reflection

Take a moment to consider the profound reality of your position as an adopted child of God.

1. Rejoice in your new identity. No matter your background or past, you have a new and secure identity in God's family. You are no longer a slave to sin but a cherished son or daughter.
2. Give thanks for his love. Reflect on the fact that your adoption was not an afterthought, but a plan born from God's immense and loving will. Thank him for his "good pleasure" in making you his own.

Live in light of your adoption. How might the reality of your unbreakable, status change the way you face challenges today? Allow the security of your heavenly Father's love to empower you