Chapter
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Verse
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Ephesians 1:9
ESV making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
NIV he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
NASB He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him,
CSB He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ
NLT God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ — which is to fulfill his own good plan.
KJV Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
NKJV having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

What does Ephesians 1:9 mean?

Part of God's wisdom (Ephesians 1:8) was to reveal or "make known" to believers "the mystery of his will." Paul uses "mystery" more in Ephesians than anywhere else in Scripture (Ephesians 3:3, 4, 6, 9; 5:32; 6:19). This concept is often misunderstood. Paul's focus is not on some mystical or self-contradictory approach, but simply on something which had been unknown in the past. In this case, a mystery of the past has now been revealed, with Gentiles coming to faith through the coming and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–11).

This revealed mystery is also "according to his purpose." Paul had already referred to "purpose" in verse 5 and will mention it again in verse 11. In Ephesians 3:11 Paul talks about God's "eternal purpose," while in Ephesians 6:22 Paul speaks of his own purpose in sending Tychicus to encourage his readers. God's purpose referred to in Ephesians 3:9 was "set forth in Christ." It was not of human creation or wisdom. Only God could design and implement such an amazing, well-orchestrated plan to bring forth His plans and ultimately bring greater glory to Himself.
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