Ephesians 1:10-12 “That 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: In 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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
God, from the beginning, had an end determined for His children. There was an appointed time, according to His administration and control, when law and grace, Jew and Gentile, would be gathered together in Jesus. This is true of eternity, but it is also true in His gospel kingdom. The word rendered as “heaven” carries both the idea of God’s abode and the Gospel. The phrase “on earth” indicates His power to superimpose His will on this world. Paul is declaring here that God is sovereign in all His work.
We have, according to God’s will, been assigned the privilege (obtained an inheritance) in Christ of being (existing) to the praise of God’s glory. This has been accomplished according to the limiting power (predestination) of God’s purpose which works in heaven and earth. He works everything according His own counsel. There is none greater or wiser that He can turn to. He is all sufficient to bring about His will.
He is worthy of our praise. His trust in Christ is our confirmation that we can safely trust in Christ. The word rendered “trust” in this verse does not simply carry the idea of having confidence. The meaning here is “to hope in advance of other confirmation.” The Father had confidence (hope) in the ability of His Son to do His will according to predestination when there was only His trust. While our trust is based on the revelation of all that Jesus has done, He who first trusted in Christ did so on the strength of His own will alone.
May we always be thankful to live to the praise of the glory of our God who first trusted in Christ!