Notes on Ephesians Chapter One
AUTHOR: | Oliphant, James H. |
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11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the council of his own will. An inheritance is not obtained by purchase nor by labor. It is not a commercial transaction of one value for another. If we obtained it this way, we would be "to the praise of his glory." This same writer says that "The gift of God is eternal life," and Jesus had said before him, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish." That which we inherit from our estate from our parents comes to us freely, though it may have cost our parents much toil. The text says that it was in God that Paul and his fellow-saints obtained the inheritance, and this too, in "being predestinated," or named in the will. It was not according to any industry, or skill on their part, but according to God’s purpose that this inheritance came to them. This view does not flatter the pride of our nature, but when stripped of every ground of hope but the mercy of God, it becomes exceeding precious to us. God’s purpose cannot fail of accomplishment, for he will do all his pleasure. He says of those who obtain this inheritance according to his purpose, "They shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand."
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