What does it mean that God chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)?

Answer

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he writes to help them understand their identity in Christ (Ephesians 1—3) and how they should live accordingly (Ephesians 4—6). In chapter 1, Paul explains how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit collaborate for the believer’s salvation, transforming us from children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3) to adopted sons in Christ “having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:5). He affirms that believers are enriched with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3) and then illustrates how God accomplishes this blessing for those who have faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Initially, Paul declares that God chose us before the foundation of the world “according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4).

God the Father “chose us in [Christ] before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” “according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4-5). While the concepts of election (choosing) and predestination may be perplexing, they are clearly presented by Paul. Believers are chosen or caused to be chosen (as indicated by the middle voice of the aorist verb) before the foundation of the world. In essence, this divine decision occurred prior to the creation of the world. It is evident how emphatically Paul emphasizes that this new, favored status of the believer is not a result of one’s own actions. It originated from God’s selection, underscoring that God is the source of the believer’s blessings, not one’s own accomplishments.

Historically, two primary interpretations have emerged regarding the idea of God’s selection of us. Behind Door #1, Calvinism teaches that God’s selection implies that the believer plays no role in their own salvation: even the believer’s faith is considered a gift. Behind Door #2, Arminian doctrine highlights the believer’s choice and proposes that God’s selection was based on His knowledge of what the believer would choose. If we take Paul’s words at face value, it appears that neither of these theological conclusions is sufficient. Paul affirms that God chose us before the foundation of the world «according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: », (Ephesians 1:4), and Paul does not even touch upon God’s foreknowledge in Ephesians 1. While Paul does mention God’s foreknowledge in Romans 8:29 as preceding predestination, he does not delve into the topic of choosing (or election) in the context of Romans 8. It appears that God’s choice is “according to the kind intention of His will” «having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself,According to the good pleasure of His will, (Ephesians 1:5b, NASB 1995), and that His purpose is according to His choice (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth); (Romans 9:11), and not based on what we might or might not do. At the same time, we have been saved by grace through faith. For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8), and faith is necessary.

Jesus’ explanation of salvation makes it conditional only upon belief in Him (e.g., John 3:15-16;6:47), and He puts the responsibility on the one who is to believe. So there is a third door. Door #1 suggests God is sovereign, and man is not involved; Door #2 suggests that God is not expressing His sovereignty, and the choice is entirely up to the person. Door #3 suggests that God has expressed His sovereignty—He chose us before the foundation of the world according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)—and He places the responsibility of faith upon the individual. For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8). Both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of humanity are evident in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and in his explanation.

an explanation of how we became so abundantly blessed.