Divine Promises Guaranteed

Ephesians 1:11–14

1905 February 5, 1978

Here’s a Bible-study–ready summary of John MacArthur’s sermon on Ephesians 1:11–14, with special focus on v. 11 and the passive verb that yields two legitimate readings.

# Big Thesis

Ephesians 1:3–14 (one cascading sentence in Greek) is a doxology tracing salvation’s arc: the **Father plans**, the **Son purchases**, and the **Spirit pledges**—so that believers live in assured hope **“to the praise of His glory.”** In 1:11–14 Paul zooms in on our **inheritance** and its **guarantee**.

# Passage Map (1:3–14)

1. **Election** by the Father (vv. 3–6)

2. **Redemption** by the Son (vv. 7–10)

3. **Inheritance & Sealing** by the Spirit (vv. 11–14)

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## Spotlight on Verse 11 — the Passive that Cuts Two Ways

**Greek:** ἐν ᾧ καὶ **ἐκληρώθημεν** (*en hō kai eklērōthēmen*)

**Form:** aorist **passive** indicative, 1st plural, from *klēroō* (“to allot/appoint by lot, to assign an inheritance”).

**Why it matters:** Because it’s passive—and because of the way this verb works in Koine Greek—**both translations are grammatically valid** and biblically true:

1. **“In whom we have obtained an inheritance.”**

* We **receive** Christ and all that is His.

* Fits the immediate flow of vv. 3–14 listing gifts we receive (redemption, forgiveness, insight, sealing, inheritance).

2. **“In whom we were made an inheritance.”**

* We **are** Christ’s inheritance, the Father’s love-gift to the Son (John 6:37; Acts 20:28; Mal 3:17).

* Resonates with OT usage where **Israel is the Lord’s inheritance** and also **receives** an inheritance.

**MacArthur’s emphasis:** both are theologically correct, but the **context** here leans toward **what we receive in Christ** (our obtained inheritance), while not denying we are also His treasured possession.

**Pastoral payoff:** This double sense deepens assurance and identity—*He is ours and we are His.*

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## Three-Part Structure of the Sermon

### 1) The **Ground** of Our Inheritance (vv. 11–13a)

* **“In Him”**: our status is rooted in **union with Christ** (Rom 6:3–5; Gal 2:20).

* **God’s side (v. 11):** **predestined** “according to His purpose” and effected by His power (**energeō**—what God plans, God energizes and finishes; cf. Phil 1:6; Eph 1:19–20).

* **Our side (vv. 12–13a):** we **hear** the word of truth, **hope** in the Christ, and **believe** the gospel (Rom 10:17). Scripture holds sovereignty and responsibility together without apology.

**Illustrative summary:** The eternal plan (election) leads to the historical act (redemption) and lands in a relational reality (inheritance)—already truly ours, fully realized at glorification.

### 2) The **Guarantee** of Our Inheritance (vv. 13b–14)

* **“Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”** In the ancient world a seal signified:

1. **Security** (no higher authority may break it; Dan 6:17; Matt 27:66)

2. **Authenticity** (the king’s mark: “This one is truly mine”)

3. **Completion/Settlement** (Jer 32: a deed is sealed when the transaction is finished)

4. **Authority** (the sealed one bears the king’s commission)

* **“Earnest/Guarantee” (ἀρραβών, *arrabōn*):** the Spirit is both **down payment** and **engagement ring**, binding the future to the present. God has already invested Himself; He will not renege.

**Already/Not yet:** We legally possess the inheritance **now** (Spirit as firstfruits), and we await **full possession** at “the redemption of the purchased possession” (resurrection/glorification; Rom 8:23).

### 3) The **Goal** of Our Inheritance (vv. 12, 14)

* Refrain: **“to the praise of His glory.”**

* Salvation is designed so **God gets all the glory**—fueling **humility**, **holiness** (don’t grieve the Spirit who sealed you, 4:30), and **mission** (we serve and speak under royal authority).

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## What the Inheritance Encompasses (Sampler)

* **Relational:** adoption, access, fellowship with Father/Son/Spirit.

* **Transformational:** new heart, sanctification, wisdom, gifts.

* **Judicial/Positional:** justification, righteousness in Christ.

* **Missional:** power to witness, authority to serve.

* **Providential:** all things working together for good.

* **Eschatological:** resurrection body, new creation, eternal joy.

* **Promise blanket:** “All the promises of God are **Yes** in Him” (2 Cor 1:20).

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## Key MacArthur Observations to Remember (for your notes)

* **Eph 1:11, ἐκληρώθημεν (passive):** allows both “we obtained an inheritance” **and** “we were made an inheritance.” Context favors the first; theology affirms both.

* **Energeō (v. 11; cf. 1:19–20):** God not only plans; He **powers** His plan to completion.

* **Sealing (vv. 13–14):** Security, authenticity, completion, authority.

* **Arrabōn (v. 14):** the Spirit as **down payment/engagement ring**—God’s personal pledge.

* **Sovereignty & faith (vv. 11–13):** God predestines; we believe. Scripture preserves both to elicit worship, not argument.

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## Practical Uses for Your Study/Group

* **Identity exercise:** “In Christ, I am… chosen, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, sealed, inheriting.”

* **Assurance check:** When doubt rises, rehearse the **four meanings of the seal** and the **arrabōn** metaphor.

* **Worship reflex:** End sessions with a doxology (vv. 6, 12, 14): “to the praise of His glory.”

* **Mission step:** Because we bear the King’s seal, take one concrete act of service this week “under His authority.”

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## One-Sentence Takeaway

Because the Father **planned** us, the Son **purchased** us, and the Spirit **pledged** us, we live now with an inheritance truly ours—secure, authoritative, and authentic—**to the praise of His glory**; and in v. 11 that security is underlined by a passive verb that lets us confess both: **we have obtained** Christ as our inheritance, and **we were made** His treasured inheritance.

Reference

John MacArthur. https://www.gty.org/sermons/1905/divine-promises-guaranteed