Ephesians 1:12 – Hopeful Expectation
that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
Truth to Learn
The hope of all Christians is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.
Behind the Words
“Christ” is transliterated from the Greek word christos, which is based on the verb chriō, meaning “to anoint.” So, christos refers to “an anointed one.” It is written here with the definite article (the), so it could be translated as “the Christ.” This word is the Greek translation of the Hebrew mashiach, or Messiah.
The words “first trusted” are translated from the Greek verb proelpidzō. This is made up of pro, meaning “before in time or position” and elpidzō which means “to hope.” This hope, however, is not simply wishful desire. It carries the meaning of hoping for something with full expectation of having it come to pass. A better translation of the opening part of this verse would be “that we who hoped in Christ before.”
As we saw back in verse six, “the praise of His glory” is a Hebrew expression that, in this case, focuses on the magnificence of His glory. “Glory” is the word doxa, which refers to “recognition, honor, or splendor.”
Meaning Explained
Throughout the centuries there has been much debate about what Paul means by “we who first trusted in Christ.” Some claim that Paul is referring to Jewish believers in Christ (including the apostles) who believed before the gospel message was delivered to the Gentiles. If we accept the translation “first trusted” or “first hoped” then this might make sense.
Others claim that this is a reference to the Jewish people who had placed their hope in the coming Messiah. It is this sense of the phrase that Paul claimed when he stated his case before King Agrippa:
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. (Acts 26:6-7)
From the time God told Abraham that the Messiah would be one of his descendants, the Jews have looked forward with hope to the day that their Redeemer would come.
Another reason for believing this to be Paul’s meaning is that he later talks about Christ uniting Jews and Gentiles:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:13-15)
Thus, it appears that Paul’s reference to “we who first hoped in the Christ” is a reference to the Jewish people.
Application
Where is your hope today? Is it in the things of this world, or is it in the blood of the spotless Lamb of God?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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