ἐκληρώθημεν (we were made an inheritance); συγκληρονόμα (fellow-allotted ones)
ἐκληρώθημεν (we were made an inheritance); συγκληρονόμα (fellow-allotted ones)
Eph.1:11-14, 18; 3:6
Whereas Colossians mentions the inheritance that believers receive (3:24), Ephesians places the emphasis upon the inheritance God receives. In verses eleven, fourteen, and eighteen of chapter one, Paul reveals this reality to his readers. Believers are made an inheritance (ἐκληρὠθημεν, v 11; τἢς κληρονομἰας ήμὢν, v 14) and are sealed as such by the Holy Spirit. Though these texts are often translated as though believers are those receiving the inheritance, they ought to be and certainly can be translated with an eye toward God’s inheritance.
This not only works grammatically but also contextually. Paul directs attention to God’s own possession (περιποιἠσεως) in verse fourteen and also mentions God’s inheritance clearly in verse eighteen. One finds this again in chapter three as Paul calls attention to the shared identity of believers as fellow-allotted ones (συγκληρονόμα, 3:6). Not only is this confirmed in the immediate context of Ephesians but one also finds this language consistently used in the Old Testament (see: Dt. 4:20; 32:8, 9; Joel 3:2; Jer. 51:19; etc.) relating to God’s possession, heritage, and inheritance. Believers share this identity as God’s one inheritance and possession and are unified as such.
jim elliff says:
July 27th, 2009 at 11:49
Doug,
Good work. So glad the writing is going well. Wish you God’s best in your labors for Christ.
Jim
Steve Rives says:
July 30th, 2009 at 10:04
Hey Doug,
This is a provocative little post. It gets me thinking in the right direction, I can’t wait to explore it more and see where this goes. It is great how looking at a common verse from a different angle can open up such excellent new vistas. It was Dr. Bean who used to say, “Ask first, ‘What does this text say about God?’”, and you have done it here where it is easy to miss. Thanks.
Steve
admin says:
July 30th, 2009 at 10:13
Thanks Steve…but really Dr. Alan Tomlinson deserves recognition here. He has done such extensive study on this topic and I have been blessed by his insights…
Valerie Bailey says:
August 28th, 2009 at 02:41
When confronted in Scripture with this remarkable concept — that I, myself, am a part of God’s inheritance and His very own possession — I am awe-struck, humbled, and deeply moved. This wonderful yet incomprehensible realization motivates me to worship Christ anew with greater passion and fervor. For how is it possible that an ordinary sinner like me could ever be of any consequence to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe? And yet I know that His Word is TRUE: I belong to Him and He belongs to me. I fall on my knees and cry, “Holy”…