in whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being marked out beforehand according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his own will,
This verse turns from what believers are in Christ to what they will own with Him. It all goes back to a purpose God formed Himself, which raises two questions: what is this inheritance, and how safe is it?
Heirs together with Christ
The inheritance is not a separate portion of our own. It is Christ's, shared with those joined to Him.
Notice where we come into it: "in whom also we have obtained an inheritance." We are heirs, as the apostle says to the Romans — "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." That is, God says: I am going to give everything to Christ. I am going to gather together in one all things in heaven and on earth in Him. And with Him you are joint-heirs — with Him you have received the inheritance.
The word "obtained"
Translators have disagreed over the phrase. One writer defends the older wording against a revision that reversed it, making us God's heritage instead.
In Ephesians 1:11 some translate it "we were made a heritage." But the Greek means "we have been placed by lot in possession of," or "have obtained a lot, or inheritance." The point matters. We are joint-heirs with Christ.
Nothing held apart from Christ
The words "in Him" mark where the inheritance is held, and what it cost.
All belongs to God, but Christ is the Heir, and God has marked His many sons out to share the inheritance with Christ. That is why it says, "in whom also we have obtained an inheritance" (verse 11). We have nothing outside of Christ. All our blessings now, and all that we will have in the coming day, are "in Christ," in association with Him. They depend on Him, who obtained everything for us by His death on the cross.
Settled without consulting us
One writer points out that God never asked us — and treats that as good news.
This is "according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will." He did not give it to us in answer to anything we asked or wanted. He has acted from Himself in His infinite wisdom and eternal love. He did not consult us about this, or about any blessing He has given us. And it is good for us that He acted this way. If He had left our blessings for us to decide, we would have been hired servants forever, and not sons.
So could anything still go wrong before the day we take possession?
God settled our destiny beforehand. He did not settle it to fit our need, or even our thoughts and wishes, but according to His own purpose, and He carries out all things as He pleases. So we may be sure that no possible slip can come between us and the inheritance He has destined for us.
Purpose, counsel, working
Three words stand side by side in this verse. One writer sets out what each one means.
Purpose is the goal God has before Him. Divine Persons took counsel as to how that goal would be secured, and the ways of God are bringing it all into effect. When the ways of God reach their end, His counsel will have been fully carried out. What He purposed will be secured, and this is what will go into the eternal state… Notice how all three are in verse 11 of our chapter: purpose, working and counsel.
Reading the news by this verse
"Works all things" reaches past the church into world events — even the ones that look like chaos.
How very encouraging it is for the Christian to know that nothing happens in this world except what serves the will of God. God is not acting openly today in the events of the world, as He certainly will in a coming day. But His counsel has ordered that everything must work towards one great end: the fulfilling of His eternal purpose. What God does not rule, He overrules, even as He makes the wrath of man praise Him.
Summary
- Purpose — God fixed the goal Himself. He never asked us, and He acted out of His own wisdom and love.
- Counsel — divine Persons planned how that purpose would be secured. Verse 11 holds all three: purpose, counsel and working.
- Working — He works all things toward that end; what He does not rule, He overrules.
- Inheritance — what it comes to for us: not a portion of our own, but Christ's inheritance, shared with joint-heirs.
- Security — it all begins and ends in Him, so no slip can come between us and the inheritance.