Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What does the apostle Paul tell us about the believer’s relationship to God in Ephesians 1:11 (printed below?)
Furthermore, we were allotted to him, (having been predestined in accordance with the purpose of him who causes all things to work for the sake of his own plan) (Ephesians 1:11)
The apostle Paul informs us that “we were allotted to” God. We were made to be God’s lot, or God’s portion. The Greek verb literally means “to appoint or obtain a portion by lot” (i.e.; as a result of the casting of lots). But it was not by chance that we were allotted to God; on the contrary, God Himself predestined us to be His lot (note Proverbs 16:33). We might say that in “the roll of the dice,” our “number” came up—but God planned it that way! We have been predestined to be God’s people by virtue of God’s sovereign purpose and plan.
2. What does Paul tell us about God in Ephesians 1:11 (printed above under question #1?)
God is here identified as the One “who causes all things to work for the sake of his own plan.” That is to say, God formulates a plan that is solely the product of His own will—it is “his own plan.” He then proceeds to carry out and accomplish that plan by sovereignly causing “all things” to function in such a way as to contribute to the fulfillment of His divine plan.
3. In verses 11-12 (printed below) the apostle Paul is specifically referring to God’s Old Testament people, those who “hoped in Christ” (i.e.; those who looked forward to the promised Messiah). Does what he says about them also apply to the Gentile believers? See Ephesians 1:13 (printed below) Note, also, 1 Peter 2:9-10 (printed below)
…we were allotted to him, (having been predestined in accordance with the purpose of him who causes all things to work for the sake of his own plan), (12) in order that we, who previously hoped in Christ, should be for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You also were allotted to him—having heard the word of truth, that is, the gospel by which you are saved, and having believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people appointed to be God’s own possession, so that you might display the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (10) Formerly you were “not a people,” but now you are “the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
In verses 11-12 the apostle Paul is specifically speaking about God’s Old Testament covenant people—”we who previously hoped in Christ” (note Deuteronomy 32:9). But what Paul writes here applies equally to all who are brought into God’s covenant, both Gentile as well as Jewish believer—all who believe in Christ. In verse 13 Paul, addressing the Gentile believers, writes, “you also were allotted to him.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 takes the words originally addressed to God’s Old Testament covenant people, Israel, and also applies them to the New Testament church, composed of Jewish and Gentile believers.
4. What does Paul tell us about God’s people in verse 13 (printed below?)
You also were allotted to him—having heard the word of truth, that is, the gospel by which you are saved, and having believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
Upon hearing the gospel, God’s people respond by believing the good news and receiving Christ Jesus as their Savior. Consequently, they are “sealed with the Holy Spirit.” That is to say, God’s people bear upon them and within them the mark of identification that they belong to God (note Revelation 7:2-3). The seal of identification God uses to mark His own people is none other than the Holy Spirit.
5. How is the Holy Spirit described in verses 13-14 (printed below?)
You also were allotted to him—having heard the word of truth, that is, the gospel by which you are saved, and having believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. (14) He is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
The Holy Spirit is identified as “the Holy Spirit of promise” and “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit’s presence in the Christian’s life is the promise and the pledge of the full life of God that is yet to come—the glorification spoken of in Romans 8:30. The “deposit” is a down payment in kind that guarantees the full sum will be delivered as promised. Thus, as “the Spirit of promise,” the Holy Spirit presently minister to God’s people a portion (a down payment in kind) of the life and blessing of God and His heavenly kingdom and His present ministry is the promise (or, guarantee) that God’s people will finally receive the full bounty of the life and kingdom of God.
