Ephesians 1:9
New International Version
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

New Living Translation
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.

English Standard Version
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Berean Standard Bible
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ

Berean Literal Bible
having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His pleasure, which He purposed in Him

King James Bible
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

New King James Version
having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

New American Standard Bible
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him,

NASB 1995
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

NASB 1977
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

Legacy Standard Bible
making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him

Amplified Bible
He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,

Christian Standard Bible
He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him

American Standard Version
making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

Contemporary English Version
and by what Christ has done, God has shown us his own mysterious ways.

English Revised Version
having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

GOD'S WORD® Translation
when he revealed the mystery of his plan to us. He had decided to do this through Christ.

Good News Translation
God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ.

International Standard Version
when he made known to us the secret of his will. This was according to his plan that he set forth in the Messiah

Majority Standard Bible
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ

NET Bible
He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,

New Heart English Bible
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

Webster's Bible Translation
Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Weymouth New Testament
when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose

World English Bible
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
having made known to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure, that He purposed in Himself,

Berean Literal Bible
having made known to us the mystery of His will according to His pleasure, which He purposed in Him

Young's Literal Translation
having made known to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure, that He purposed in Himself,

Smith's Literal Translation
Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his benevolence which he purposed in himself:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him,

Catholic Public Domain Version
So does he make known to us the mystery of his will, which he has set forth in Christ, in a manner well-pleasing to him,

New American Bible
he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him

New Revised Standard Version
he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And because he has made known to us the mystery of his will, as he has ordained from the very beginning, to work through it;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he has taught us the mystery of his will, that which he had before ordained to perform in himself,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
by making known to us the mystery of his will according to his good purpose which he had before established in himself,

Godbey New Testament
having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his own good pleasure, which he purposed in himself

Haweis New Testament
having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself;

Mace New Testament
for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself,

Weymouth New Testament
when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose

Worrell New Testament
making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him,

Worsley New Testament
having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which He had before purposed in Himself:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Spiritual Blessings
8that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.…

Cross References
Colossians 1:26-27
the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Romans 16:25-26
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith—

1 Corinthians 2:7-10
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. / None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. / Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ...

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Peter 1:20
He was known before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake.

2 Timothy 1:9-10
He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. / And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

1 Corinthians 2:12
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Daniel 2:22
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Proverbs 3:32
for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.

Isaiah 48:6
You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not acknowledge them? From now on I will tell you of new things, hidden things unknown to you.


Treasury of Scripture

Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:

made.

Ephesians 1:17,18
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: …

Ephesians 3:3-9
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, …

Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

according.

Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

purposed.

Ephesians 1:11
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Ephesians 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Job 23:13,14
But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth…

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Agreement Christ Clear Design Forth God's Good Harmony Insight Intention Kind Making Merciful Mind Mystery Pleasure Purpose Purposed Secret Wisdom
Ephesians 1
1. After Paul's salutation,
3. and thanksgiving for the Ephesians,
4. he treats of our election,
6. and adoption by grace;
11. which is the true and proper fountain of man's salvation.
13. And because the height of this mystery cannot be easily attained unto,
16. he prays that they may come to the full knowledge and possession thereof in Christ.














And He made known
The phrase "made known" comes from the Greek word "gnōrizō," which means to reveal or make something clear. In the context of Ephesians, this signifies God's active role in unveiling His divine plan to humanity. Historically, the revelation of God's will was a progressive process, culminating in the New Testament era. This act of making known is a testament to God's desire for a relationship with His creation, emphasizing His initiative in bridging the gap between the divine and the human.

to us
The recipients of this revelation are "us," referring to believers in Christ. This inclusion highlights the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where the mysteries of God are shared among His people. In the early church, this would have been a radical concept, as divine mysteries were often reserved for a select few. Here, Paul emphasizes the accessibility of God's will to all who are in Christ, underscoring the unity and equality within the body of believers.

the mystery
The term "mystery" is derived from the Greek "mystērion," which in biblical terms refers to a sacred secret that is now revealed. In the ancient world, mysteries were often associated with religious rites known only to initiates. However, in the Christian context, this mystery is not hidden but revealed through Christ. It speaks to the profound and previously concealed aspects of God's redemptive plan, now disclosed to the church.

of His will
"His will" refers to God's sovereign plan and purpose. The Greek word "thelēma" indicates a deliberate intention or desire. This phrase assures believers that God's will is not arbitrary but is rooted in His eternal wisdom and love. Throughout Scripture, God's will is portrayed as good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2), and here it is intimately connected with His overarching plan for salvation and reconciliation through Christ.

according to His good pleasure
The phrase "good pleasure" comes from the Greek "eudokia," meaning delight or satisfaction. This indicates that God's revelation of His will is not out of obligation but stems from His own joy and desire. It reflects the benevolent nature of God, who takes pleasure in revealing His plans to His people. Historically, this would have been a comforting assurance to early Christians facing persecution, reminding them of God's joyful involvement in their lives.

which He purposed
The word "purposed" is translated from the Greek "protithēmi," meaning to set forth or plan. This conveys the intentionality and forethought of God in His divine plan. It reassures believers that the unfolding of history is not random but is orchestrated by a sovereign God who has set His purposes in motion from eternity past. This aligns with the biblical narrative of a God who is actively involved in the redemption of His creation.

in Christ
The phrase "in Christ" is central to Pauline theology, emphasizing the believer's union with Jesus. It signifies that all of God's plans and purposes are realized through the person and work of Christ. Historically, this was a revolutionary concept, as it placed Jesus at the center of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament. For believers, being "in Christ" means participating in the blessings and purposes of God, secured through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This union is the foundation of Christian identity and hope.

(9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will.--In the same connection we read in 1Corinthians 2:7, "we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery." The word "mystery" properly signifies a thing which (see Ephesians 3:5; Colossians 1:27) "was hid from all ages, but is now made manifest." So our Lord evidently uses it (in Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10). For the rest, except in four passages of the Apocalypse (Revelation 1:20; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 17:7), it is used by St. Paul alone, and by him no less than twenty-one times, of which ten belong to this Epistle and the parallel Epistle to the Colossians--always in connection with such words as "knowledge," "declaration," "dispensation." The ordinary sense of the word "mystery"--a thing of which we know that it is, though how it is we know not--is not implied in the original meaning of the word; but it is a natural derivative from it. Reason can apprehend, when revealed, that which it cannot discover; but seldom or never can it comprehend it perfectly. In this verse the mystery is declared to be accordant to the good pleasure of God's will, which (it is added) "He purposed in Himself." In this seems to be implied that (see Ephesians 3:19) though in some sense we can know it, yet in its fulness "it passeth knowledge." . . . Verse 9. - Having made known unto us the mystery of his will. The wide extent of God's grace was a mystery, i.e. a hidden counsel, before Christ came and died, but it is now made known. In this, and not in the modern sense of mystery, the word μυστήριον is used by Paul. The thing hidden and now revealed was not the gospel, but God's purpose with reference to its limits or sphere (see Ephesians 3:6). According to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself. The whole phraseology denotes that, in this transaction, God was not influenced by any external considerations; the whole reason for it sprang from within. The threefold expression brings this out:

(1) according to his good pleasure (see ver. 5);

(2) he purposed, or formed a purpose;

(3) in himself, without foreign aid, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?" (Romans 11:34).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[And] He has made known
γνωρίσας (gnōrisas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1107: To make known, declare, know, discover. From a derivative of ginosko; to make known; subjectively, to know.

to us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mystery
μυστήριον (mystērion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3466: From a derivative of muo; a secret or 'mystery'.

of His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will
θελήματος (thelēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

according to
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

good pleasure,
εὐδοκίαν (eudokian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2107: From a presumed compound of eu and the base of dokeo; satisfaction, i.e. delight, or kindness, wish, purpose.

which
ἣν (hēn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

He purposed
προέθετο (proetheto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4388: To purpose, design beforehand, determine. Middle voice from pro and tithemi; to place before, i.e. to exhibit; to propose.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[Christ]
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 1:9 Making known to us the mystery (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
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