Verse 11 in Greek begins “In whom also we were selected.” The prepositional phrase “in him, in whom” refers to Christ, and the meaning is “in union with Christ.” So TEV translates God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ. The first decision to be made is whether us here is inclusive or exclusive. Obviously in verse 12 “we who had already hoped in Christ” is exclusive (that is, it does not include the readers), and the construction of the Greek text would indicate that this us in verse 11 is also exclusive, since the thought goes on without a stop to the end of verse 12. It may be argued, however, that the author did not consciously make a distinction between “we” and “you” until verse 12, and that the us here in verse 11 is inclusive (as in the parallel “we have” in verse 7). RSV, TNT, NIV, take the “we” here to be exclusive (also Beare), and this would seem to be in closer agreement with the Greek text (see BJ).
The verb translated “choose” is used only here in the New Testament; it is formed from the noun meaning “lot” and so means “to choose by lot.” The idea derives from the Old Testament concept of the people of Israel being chosen by Yahweh to be his people (compare Deut 9:29; 32:9–10; Psa 74:2). There are those who take the Greek passive participle here to mean “we have received the lot/portion (from God),” but it seems better to take it to mean “we were made God’s portion/lot.” The emphasis is that the initiative and action are God’s alone: he made us his people (RSV “have been … appointed” in verse 12).
Chose us … in union with Christ: the phrase “in whom also we were selected” may involve a number of complications in translation. In the first place the introductory phrase “in whom” must refer to Jesus Christ, and it may be possible to introduce this as a type of causative relationship, for example, “because of our being united with Christ.” It may, however, be impossible to use a passive expression such as “we were selected,” since this might imply that God was not involved in the process. God is obviously the agent of so many other events in this context that to use the passive might imply in some languages that some other person or instrumentality was involved. Therefore, it may be best to translate “in whom also we were selected” as “because of our being united with Christ God selected us” or “… chose us.” It is particularly important to indicate in the use of the term “choose” that this is a choice for a particular purpose, namely, “to become his people.” One must avoid any expression which would merely imply favoritism or God making an exception of us.
The thought of God’s initiative is reinforced by the following clause “having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will” (Hdb [handbook]). TEV restructures this lengthy and complex participial phrase with the last half of the verse, because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the beginning, and the opening clause of the verse, All things are done according to God’s plan and decision. For the verb “predestine” see verse 5. “Purpose” translates a noun which is related to the verb “he purposed” in verse 9c. “Accomplishes” translates a Greek verb meaning “to work, to realize, to make effective” (see 1 Cor 12:6, and see the verb also in Col 1:29). The final clause “according to the decision of his will” is like verse 5b and verse 9b, “Decision” translates a word used of God in Luke 7:30; Acts 2:23; 20:27; according to the context it may mean “plan, purpose.” “Will” translates the word represented by purpose in verse 5b. If any distinction is sought between the two, the first one expresses the idea of “purpose and deliberation,” while the second one denotes “will” alone (so Abbott).
In a number of languages it is necessary to restructure considerably the expression “having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will.” This has been done in TEV and needs to be done in most languages, since the various phrases referring to God’s purpose and plan seen to be heaped one on top of another. In the first place, it is often necessary to change the passive expression “having been predestined” into an active one, for this predestination can only be related to God. Therefore one may translate “having been predestined” as “God planned ahead of time” or “God decided before it happened.” The phrase “according to the purpose” may be rendered as “that is how God planned.” The statement “the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will” must in most languages be made quite specific. That is to say, one must indicate that this is “God” who accomplishes all things or “does all things.” The phrase “according to the decision of his will” may accordingly be rendered as “that is just as God decided he wanted to do it.” It is extremely useful to break up this complex series of phrases and to restructure the statement more or less in terms of the manner in which the TEV text has done it.
Bratcher, R. G., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (pp. 21–23). New York: United Bible Societies.
