When was before the foundation of the world?

Answer

The Bible mentions the “foundation” of the world in various passages. To establish something is to set up a thing or lay the groundwork or secure the underpinnings for it. The “foundation of the world” refers to God’s act of creation. When Scripture talks about something that has been true “from the foundation of the world,” it means “for all of human history.” However, when Scripture mentions something that occurred “before the foundation of the world,” the event being discussed took place before anything was ever created, in eternity past.

In Ephesians 1:4, we learn of something that took place in eternity past: “[God] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (ESV). This is a remarkable passage, emphasizing God’s choice—before the world was even created—of those who would become believers. Before God had created anything, at least three things were already true: God saw mankind as lost and in need of a Savior; the eternal Savior was present; and the details of the work of redemption were planned out. In all of this, God had our transformation to holiness in view «who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, », (see also 2 Timothy 1:9).

In another passage that reveals God’s eternal plan, Scripture states that Jesus Christ, “a lamb unblemished and spotless . . . was foreknown before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:19-20;NASB). The apostle Paul talks about “God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” «but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystEvery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: », (1 Corinthians 2:7).

The eternal nature of God the Son and His eternal relationship with God the Father are evident in Jesus’ high priestly prayer: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” «Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. », (John 17:24, ESV). The Son of God is not a created being; He possessed glory with the Father, was loved by the Father, and dwelt with the Father before the universe was created (see also John 1:1-2).

The Bible’s glimpses of what happened before the foundation of the world should give the believer great comfort. We have a Savior who is eternal. God’s grace was extended to us from eternity past. God’s plan of salvation, being eternal, is unchanging; nothing can frustrate, amend, or impede that plan. From before the foundation of the world, God laid out His design to love us, redeem us, shower us with grace, and make us holy. “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son . . . that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5). “Praise be to his glorious name forever” «And blessed be his glorious name for ever: And let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.», (Psalm 72:19).