Joel Johnson | Biblical History & Theology

 “... In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Eph 1:4-6) There’s a lot that is covered in these verses. In them, we can see God’s supreme plan to save His people through Jesus’ sacrifice, which He had in place before the creation of the world (Rev 13:8, Eph 1:4). However, here I would like to focus on one particular aspect which can sometimes be overlooked when we read this passage. I know that when reading these verses, I have previously overlooked it and when it was brought to my attention, I found it really fascinating. That is where Paul talks about the “adoption to sonship”. This is a single Greek word, υἱοθεσία , which doesn’t really translate well to a single word in English. It literally means placing in the condition of a son, in which we can see the idea of adoption. When you are adopted, you are ‘placed’ i...