Ephesians 1:12 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)12 The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God’s splendor. Ver CapítuloMás versionesKing James Version (Oxford) 176912 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Ver CapítuloAmplified Bible - Classic Edition12 So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory! Ver CapítuloAmerican Standard Version (1901)12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: Ver CapítuloCommon English Bible12 We are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. Ver CapítuloCatholic Public Domain Version12 So may we be, to the praise of his glory, we who have hoped beforehand in Christ. Ver Capítulo |
But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for “first fruits” instead of “beginning” here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were “first”], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].
It was God’s purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of “first fruits” of those He created. [Note: “First fruits” here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God’s creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].
For I am suffering these things [See verse 8] for this reason [i.e., because of being a Gospel preacher]. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed in [i.e., Jesus], and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e., Paul’s spiritual well-being] until that day [i.e., the Day of Judgment].