Ephesians 1:12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Study Note
Study Note
The phrase 'that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ' identifies the ultimate purpose of election ('first trusted' likely referring to Jewish believers who accepted the Messiah before Gentile conversion) as doxological: human beings as creatures are reconstituted as instruments of divine praise. The three-fold repetition of 'to the praise of his glory' (vv. 6, 12, 14) structures the entire passage as a liturgical triplet, each member corresponding to a person of the Trinity: the Father's election (v. 6), the Son's redemption (v. 12), the Spirit's sealing (v. 14). The verse grounds the Christian life not in self-improvement or even service but in doxological existence — being the praise-expression of God's glory. This theology of glory-as-purpose has shaped Reformed anthropology and the Westminster Catechism's famous opening answer.
Other Translations
to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
for our being to the praise of His glory, <FI>even<Fi> those who did first hope in the Christ,
So that his glory might have praise through us who first had hope in Christ:
Cross References
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a …
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; …
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and …
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers …
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: …
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait …
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That …