Indian Brethren Assembly

College & Careers Sunday School Class

Questions for Preparation
Ephesians 1:9-14

Ephesians 1:9-14 KJV

9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he
hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:9-14 NASB

9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He
purposed in Him
10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up
of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose
who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having
also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own
possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:9-14 ESV

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in
Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things
on earth.
11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose
of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first
to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised
Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the
praise of his glory.

Questions:
(Note: If you don’t own a Strong’s concordance or Vine’s Dictionary of Bible Words, use
BlueLetterBible.com)

1. What’s is a mystery?
a. In a non-Biblical sense?
b. In a Biblical sense? Use Strong’s concordance and/or Vine’s Dictionary.
c. What is the mystery in v9?
2. What’s the difference between his “will” (v9, v11) and his “purpose”?
a. Use Strong’s Concordance/Vine’s Dictionary.
b. Explain the differences in the context of this passage.
c. How does this difference add to the passage?
3. In Eph 1, the word inheritance is used 3x.
a. What exactly is our inheritance (see Eph 5:5, 1 Pet 1:4, Heb 9:15; compare with
Eph 5:5 and Col 3:24-25)
b. Use Strong’s Concordance and/or Vine’s Dictionary to get a greater
understanding.
c. Why do you think the Holy Spirit, through Paul, places such an emphasis on our
inheritance? Answer in the context of Chapter 1. Answer again in the context of
2:11-22.
d. Some commentators have said that v11 “we have obtained an inheritance” can
also be translated as “we were made his inheritance”. Is the alternate translation
valid? Why/Why not? (note, the translators in most accepted versions use the
former.)
4. The phrase “to the praise of his glory” appears twice in this section, and a modified
version of this phrase is in v6.
a. What does it mean?
b. This seems to contradict common sense. Explain.
5. In this passage, how is each person of the Godhead involved in our salvation? (hint: who
is the “he” in v9)
6. What’s the significance of a “seal” & “earnest” in relation to our salvation? (v13, 14 see
all versions)
7. Application:
a. How is your life affected by God’s blessings (practically)?
b. How should your life be affected by God’s blessings (practically)?
c. What changes should you make for this to happen? Implement a plan to
incorporate these changes.