This might have been discussed already, if so I'm sorry.
But here are my questions:
1. What is the most common reformed interpretation of Ephesians 1:4. Is it Chose us to be in Him, Chose us through Him, or/and Chose us while in Him?
2. I'm a bit confused because I read Thomas Goodwin's and Charles Hodge's commentaries (Linked below) on it and they seem to be saying it is all of the above. They also seem to be saying we are "in Him" before we believe. Am I misreading them? Is this the common reformed view? If so, could someone explain this to me?
3. Are there different types of being "in Him"? For instance when we believe we are placed "in Him". But also in Colossians 1:17 it says, "and in Him all things hold together", which I think is talking about how everything's existence relies on Christ sustaining it. yet does that mean Everything is "in Him"? for instance Hodge makes a distinction between our federal union with Christ and our voluntary union with Christ. Is this traditional reformed theology? If so, does the Bible make this distinction?
4. According to Ephesians 1:3-4, is election an example of a blessing in Christ or the reason we have the blessings. in ESV in verse 4 is says "even as he...". Is that "even as", I think other translations say "according to", saying "here's an example..." or "because of..."?
Thank for all input!
Goodwin: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/goodwin/Commentary on Ephesians 1-2 - Thomas Goodwin.pdf
Hodge: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/hodge/A Commentary on the Epistle to - Charles Hodge.pdf
But here are my questions:
1. What is the most common reformed interpretation of Ephesians 1:4. Is it Chose us to be in Him, Chose us through Him, or/and Chose us while in Him?
2. I'm a bit confused because I read Thomas Goodwin's and Charles Hodge's commentaries (Linked below) on it and they seem to be saying it is all of the above. They also seem to be saying we are "in Him" before we believe. Am I misreading them? Is this the common reformed view? If so, could someone explain this to me?
3. Are there different types of being "in Him"? For instance when we believe we are placed "in Him". But also in Colossians 1:17 it says, "and in Him all things hold together", which I think is talking about how everything's existence relies on Christ sustaining it. yet does that mean Everything is "in Him"? for instance Hodge makes a distinction between our federal union with Christ and our voluntary union with Christ. Is this traditional reformed theology? If so, does the Bible make this distinction?
4. According to Ephesians 1:3-4, is election an example of a blessing in Christ or the reason we have the blessings. in ESV in verse 4 is says "even as he...". Is that "even as", I think other translations say "according to", saying "here's an example..." or "because of..."?
Thank for all input!
Goodwin: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/goodwin/Commentary on Ephesians 1-2 - Thomas Goodwin.pdf
Hodge: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/hodge/A Commentary on the Epistle to - Charles Hodge.pdf