Meaning of Ephesians 1:9

This verse reveals that God, in His sovereign grace and benevolent intention, has made known a profound truth – the "mystery of His will." This is not a secret withheld from humanity, but rather a previously hidden plan that has now been unveiled through Christ. The "good pleasure" indicates that this divine purpose originates from God's own delightful volition, not from any external compulsion or human merit. It is a plan conceived and executed in Christ, highlighting His central role as the agent and embodiment of God's redemptive will. This unveiling is a gift, enabling believers to understand God's overarching purpose for creation and humanity, a purpose rooted in love and executed according to His perfect design.

Context and Background

Ephesians 1:3-14 is a rich, extended doxology and thanksgiving, detailing the spiritual blessings believers have received in Christ. Paul is articulating the foundational realities of salvation, emphasizing that these blessings are not earned but are gifts from God, initiated and accomplished through Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Within this context, the "mystery of His will" represents the culmination of God's eternal plan, which was once hidden but is now revealed, particularly to the Gentiles, thus uniting them with Jewish believers in the one body of Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Revelation: God actively reveals His will, rather than leaving humanity to guess or discover it independently.
• The Mystery: This "mystery" refers to a divine plan that was previously concealed but is now made known. It is not a riddle to be solved but a truth to be understood and embraced.
• God's Sovereign Pleasure: The revelation and execution of this will are entirely according to God's good pleasure, emphasizing His self-sufficiency and benevolent intent.
• Christ-Centeredness: The entire plan and its revelation are centered in and accomplished through Jesus Christ. He is the key to understanding God's will.
• Purpose and Foreknowledge: This verse points to an eternal, pre-determined purpose of God, enacted before the foundation of the world.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in the assurance that God's purposes are not arbitrary but are rooted in His perfect will and revealed to us. This knowledge brings peace, direction, and a deeper understanding of our place in God's grand design. For believers, it means we can trust that God is working all things according to His good pleasure, and that our lives are part of a divine unfolding. The application is to embrace this revealed will, to seek to understand it through Scripture and prayer, and to live in accordance with it, recognizing that our salvation and our purpose are "in Christ."

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a pivotal point in understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture. From the promise in Genesis to the fulfillment in Revelation, God's will has consistently been to establish His kingdom and reconcile humanity to Himself. The "mystery" here is the inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God on equal footing with the Jews, a theme that runs from Abraham's call to the universality of the Gospel preached in the New Testament. It speaks to God's overarching plan of salvation that encompasses all nations and culminates in Christ.

Analogies

• A Blueprint: Imagine a master architect who has a magnificent design for a building. For ages, the blueprints were kept secret. Then, the architect decides to reveal the blueprints, allowing others to understand the vision and the intricate details of the structure. God's will is like that blueprint, revealed through Christ.
• A Hidden Treasure: Think of a valuable treasure buried and unknown. Then, a map is found, revealing its location. The "mystery" is like that hidden treasure, and Christ is the one who provides the map to its discovery and enjoyment.
• A Unveiled Masterpiece: A great artist may keep a masterpiece covered until it is ready for exhibition. The unveiling allows everyone to appreciate the artist's skill and intent. God's will, once a mystery, is now unveiled in Christ for us to behold and understand.

Relation to Other Verses

• Colossians 1:26-27: "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." This directly parallels Ephesians 1:9, emphasizing the revelation of a mystery and its connection to Christ.
• Romans 16:25-26: "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might obey the faith." This verse further elaborates on the mystery being revealed through prophetic writings and its purpose to bring obedience to faith among all nations.
• Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." This Old Testament promise echoes the sentiment of God having good plans and purposes for His people, which are now seen to be fully realized in the mystery revealed in Christ.