Ephesians 1:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

NIV: in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

NASB: to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

CSB: so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory.

NLT: God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.

KJV: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

NKJV: that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

Paul continues his focus on God's glory with an interesting reference to being "the first to hope in Christ." Paul saw his life and the lives of the Ephesian Christians as some of the first of many believers. This was true in two ways. First, Jewish people were the earliest to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. This happened according to the will of God, for His glory (Ephesians 1:11). And, it resulted in the gospel being spread to the Gentiles (Ephesians 1:13). Second, the Ephesians were among the first Gentile believers of Paul's ministry (Acts 18:18–19). This too was intended to bring praise to God.

Paul will mention glory again in verses 14 and 17, adding references to "glorious" in verse 6 and verse 18. This chapter repeatedly emphasizes the glory of God. God's glory was the theme of the Old Testament from early times (Exodus 14:4) and remained so even in the New Testament era. Believers exist for God's glory and to bring Him glory.

Ephesians 1:3–14 praises God for the blessings He has provided. Paul ties together the ideas of predestination, God's glory, the salvation of His people, and the rights we have as children of God. In particular, believers are blessed because God chose, before creation, to save us. That salvation came at a great cost: the death of Jesus Christ. As children of God, we can be confident that God will give us what He has promised: namely, an eternity with Him in heaven.

The first chapter of Ephesians contains two main passages. The first describes the blessings Christians have been given as a result of our salvation through Christ. Paul explains these through praises directed to God the Father. The second section both commends the Ephesians for their reputation, and prays that Christ would bring them into an even fuller and more aware faith.

The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Later chapters will build on these ideas as Paul connects who we are in Christ to how we should live as Christians.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.

Accessed 5/4/2024 4:55:11 AM