Prepositions and the Spiritual Blessing List

Ephesians 1:4 ff

“In love” (1:4). These words have been much debated as to what they modify. The debate is over which verse this prepositional phrase applies, verse 4 or verse 5. [Remember, the verse numbers are not in the original text, but was added later. The verse breakdowns are man made.] In other words, should the verses read: “be holy and blameless before Him in love” (1:4). Or should it be taken as the beginning of verse 5 and be taken to read, “In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself.” Translations and commentators are divided. The debate centers upon two views and the arguments of each side have merit. Eadie (Ephesians, 28) correctly says the phrases “position is difficult to assign. Much may be said on either side.”

First view places the phrase “in love” in connection with the phrase “holy and without blame” (KJV, NKJV).  This position holds that it fits best with the rhythm and structure of the passage favors this view. Normally the modifying phrases follow the action words in this context (cf. vv. 3, 6, 8-10), however that is not without debate. They point to the fact that the phrase four out of five times follows the clauses it modifies (Eph. 4:2; 15; 16; 5:2). These instances point to human love, not divine love. Thus, it balances out holiness and blamelessness which is affected by love. (See Harold Hoehner, EPHESIANS, 184). This is in keeping with the use of agape, which refers often to human love in Ephesians. However, a major problem with this is that it reduces holiness, blamelessness, and love to the moral level. While the Scriptures are heavy on a moral lifestyle, it is unlikely here in this context. A statement counseling moral behavior would not be appropriate in the eulogy which is designed to honor God and His actions on our behalf.

The second view says it goes with verse 5, as today’s major translations (NASB, NIV, TEV, RSV) connect it with “having predestined us.” This is more likely in the context. In the context of verse 4 and 5, the phrase seems to point to divine motive, i.e. God acted in love. His love is what motivated God to foreordain believers to position of sonship by adoption. The view is more natural. “Love is implied in predestination.” (Eadie, 30). By it modifying predestination it shows the motivating factor in the choice of God as His love, nor ours. As Chafer says, “His love is the dominating motive in all that he does. For this reason it is probably correct to relate the phrase ‘in love’ which occurs at the end of verse 4 with the beginning of verse 5. It is in love that He predestinated us.” (Lewis Sperry Chafer, EPHESIANS, 39). This may be considered redundant for predestination in itself indicates love. However, it brings out this truth openly, so there can be no question as the motivating factor that stands behind our predestination. Paul is not leaving it to chance, but making sure that God’s love is recognized in the process of His choice. “The reference to love implies that God’s purpose originates in and is controlled by His love; it is not an arbitrary exercise of power” reports Best (EPHESIANS, 16).

It may be normal for the modifying phrases to follow the action words, but that is disputed in this section in verses 4, 8, 10. The structure of this long Greek sentence (1:3-14) broken down in English (sentence structure of the NASB) shows a pattern of prepositions before the action words.

• Sentence 1
  
  Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places]in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
• Sentence 2
  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed in the Beloved.
• Sentence 3
  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us.
• Sentence 4
  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His kind intention which he purpose in Him with 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.
• Sentence 5
  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinated according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praises of His glory.
• Sentence 6
  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of the truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who 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.

It is noted that this long sentence is a list of the blessings God grants to us. There is a clear pattern. Each sentence begins with the Greek preposition in (ev), after the first initial propositional sentence is before the action. In each case the preposition is locative, stating at the beginning of each sentence the sphere in which the following action is taken. It helps place the emphasis on what it should be: God. In each case it is the emphasis is on the action of God and not our doing or work. This to me is the best way to structure these “in” phrases in this context.