What does the word 'adoption' mean in Ephesians 1:5?
The word 'adoption' in Ephesians 1:5 does not mean a legal transfer from one family to another. Instead, it means the redeemed believer is placed positionally into full maturity and full responsibility in the body of Christ, pictured as a tutored son presented as a full partner with his father.
Les explains that Ephesians 1:5 says we are predestinated unto the adoption, but this adoption does not mean being legally transformed from one family to another. It concerns our position in the body of Christ. He contrasts two scriptural concepts: a new believer begins as a babe in Christ and desires the sincere milk of the Word, then grows toward the strong meat of the Word. Yet positionally, the moment a person is saved, God places them in full responsibility, like a tutored son who was taught, encouraged, and reprimanded until the day he was presented as a full partner with his father. Ephesians is about that positional standing in the body of Christ.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
More Questions
What did Paul mean when he said we are predestinated to the adoption of children?
When Paul says believers were predestinated unto the adoption of children, he means believers are predestinated, not to heaven or hell, but to the position of joint heirs with Christ in the adoption process.
What were believers predestinated to in Ephesians 1:5?
God's predestination in Ephesians 1:5 did not predestine people to heaven or hell; believers were predestinated from day one to the position of joint heirs with Christ in the process of adoption.