Ephesians 1:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

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.

Cross References

Ephesians 1:6

so that we would praise His glorious, unearned favor, which was freely given to us through the One whom God loved [i.e., Christ].

2 Thessalonians 2:13

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].

Ephesians 3:21

[I say] may there be praise to God in the church and in [or, “for”] Christ Jesus throughout all generations of people for ages and ages. May it be so.

James 1:18

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].

Ephesians 2:7

This was so that, to future ages [of people on earth and in heaven], God could demonstrate the tremendous abundance of His unearned favor, expressed by His kindness to us in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.

John 14:1

[Jesus continued], “Do not allow your hearts to be upset. You should believe in God, and believe in me also.

1 Peter 1:21

[It is] through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and honored, that you people have become believers in God, so that your faith and hope could rest in God.

2 Timothy 1:12

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].