EPHESIANS 1:10-12 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
Dispensation here in Greek is οἰκονομία and means the arrangement or administration by God. Primarily it signifies the management of a household or household affairs. God Himself never changes but His plan for the salvation of mankind as a whole has distinct phases. I am not saying that everyone will be saved, but rather those who will be saved are under God's plan which has distinct phases. In this context, Paul is likely talking about the dispensation where God establishes his kingdom.
Fullness of the times; refers to seasons in which God will sum up all things in the heavens and on the earth in Christ.
All things in Christ; (Colossians 1:16,17,20) 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (And He is the head of the church).
From Col 1:16 principalities in Greek is ἀρχή. (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):--beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. It is used of supermundane beings who exercise rule.
Christ creates and destroys rulers according to his ultimate plan. It's kind of hard to embrace this concept on a temporal level, but the believer is given all of the tools they need to overcome wicked rulers (look at what happened to the disciples in scripture). It seems that sometimes the people in any given country or land almost manifest a wicked ruler for themselves based on how they live their lives. It seems that a nation truly following God would not suffer a ruler that is against Him, but I don't make those decisions God does.
Moving back to Ephesians 1:11. "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,"
In Him; All those who has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Inheritance; we are joint heirs with Christ in His kingdom and God is owner and sovereign over all. The Greek word here is κληρόω to allot, i.e. (figuratively) to assign (a privilege):--obtain an inheritance.
Predestined; Here is an expansion on this idea under "Chose Us".
Of Him; all things purposed by Him.
Counsel of His will; (Ephesians 2:10) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
In Ephesians 1:12. "that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory."
First trusted; (James 1:18) Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Christ is the object of our trust. Trust having the idea of placing your confidence in.
In Christ; see above under "All things in Christ".
The Greek word for Christ is Χριστός (Christos) [Annointed; the single title Christos is sometimes used without the article to signify the One who by His Holy Spirit and power indwells believers and molds their character in conformity to His likeness, Romans 8:10, Galatians 2:20, 4:19, Ephesians 3:17. I will get more into this as this study goes on.
His Glory; The Greek word is δόξα. It has the idea of glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective):--dignity, glory(-ious), honor, praise, worship. Due acknowledgment of the exhibition of His attributes and ways.
So, a couple of takeaways here.
1. Jesus Christ will establish His kingdom.
2. Believers are co-heirs (Romans 8:17) with Christ and we have obtained an inheritance.
3. Jesus Christ is worthy of glory and our trust needs to be completely in Him, not in your feelings, your own thoughts, your dog, cultural pressure, paralogy, the next-door neighbor, GEICO's 15% discount, or any of that stuff.
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