Love.
Biblically, it’s more than an emotion or feeling.
Love is a Person (Jesus – see 1 John 4:8, 16) and it’s an action (Cross – see Romans 5:8).
Between verses four and five of Ephesians 1, Paul inserts the phrase “in love.”
Scholars argue whether the phrase “in love” goes with the statement made in Ephesians 1:4 (“you were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him IN LOVE”) or whether it refers to God’s position in predestining us unto adoption in Ephesians 1:5.
In this expositional study in Ephesians, Nathan Johnson discusses this dilemma and gives his conclusion … and in so doing discusses what it means for God to always act from the nature of love and calls us to do the same.
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A Simple Bible Study Resource
Key Passage: Ephesians 1:4-5
Ephesians 1:4-5 – “… just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will …”
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your
- Focus of our next study: Ephesians 1:5
- We will examine the concept of “adoption” found in Ephesians 1:5
- I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on the blessing section found in Ephesians 1:3-14.
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The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series
The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is an in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. These studies will guide you through this life-changing book of the Bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, experience the victorious Christian life, and help you build your life around Jesus Christ.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the
Read more about him here.
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app.
Leave a rating & review
If you enjoyed the podcast, please take 30 seconds and rate it on your favorite app (and write a brief review if you can). This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might be encouraged and blessed by it—apps use the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the podcast.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Ephesians Bible Study series
This Bible Study series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join Nathan Johnson as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book — which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
