What does the word 'eternal' in 'eternal purpose' refer back to?
The word 'eternal' refers back to eternity past—before anything was created, before heaven, the first angel, or the first star and celestial body. From that eternity past, God purposed His plans for the human race in Christ Jesus our Lord, so the purpose is rooted in His pre-creation counsel.
Les explains that when you see the word 'eternal' in 'according to the eternal purpose,' it takes you all the way back to eternity past, before there was ever anything created. He stresses that this was even before there was a heaven, before there was the first angel, and before there was the first star or a celestial body. That is eternity. From that eternity past, God had His purposes for you and I, for the human race, and He purposed them in Christ Jesus our Lord. Then verse 12 says 'in whom,' and when you're a believer, you're a part and parcel of Christ Himself; in Christ we have boldness and access by faith in Him.
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
More Questions
In whom did God purpose His eternal purpose for humanity?
God's eternal purposes for humanity were purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.