Ephesians 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Study Note
Study Note
The disclosure that God 'hath made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself' introduces Ephesians' central term 'mystery' (mustērion) — not in the Greek religious sense of esoteric secrets guarded from outsiders but in the Jewish apocalyptic sense of the hidden divine plan now revealed. The 'good pleasure' (eudokian) grounding the mystery in God's own will anticipates verse 10's disclosure: 'to sum up all things in Christ' (anakephalaiōsasthai) — the recapitulation of creation's fractured diversity into unified coherence in Christ. Irenaeus developed the anakephalaiōsis motif into his comprehensive theology of Christ as the new Adam who gathers and restores what the first Adam scattered and corrupted. The verse has been foundational in discussions of revelation theology and the theology of history.
Other Translations
making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
having made known to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure, that He purposed in Himself,
Having made clear to us the secret of his purpose, in agreement with the design which he had in mind, to put into his hands
Cross References
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as …
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who …
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel …
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have …
Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the Lord.
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?