As the Hdb|fig:Table_EPH1-3.jpg representation of the Greek text shows, “in him” (immediately after “on earth”) are the last two words of verse 10; verse 11 begins with the relative phrase “in whom.” Thus verse 11 forms a parallel with verse 7a (“in whom we have”) and also with verse 13 (“in whom you were sealed”).
Verse 11 in Greek begins “In whom also we were selected.” The prepositional phrase “in him, in whom” refers to Christ, and the meaning is “in union with Christ.” So Good News Translation translates God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ. The first decision to be made is whether us here is inclusive or exclusive. Obviously in verse 12 “we who had already hoped in Christ” is exclusive (that is, it does not include the readers), and the construction of the Greek text would indicate that this us in verse 11 is also exclusive, since the thought goes on without a stop to the end of verse 12. It may be argued, however, that the author did not consciously make a distinction between “we” and “you” until verse 12, and that the us here in verse 11 is inclusive (as in the parallel “we have” in verse 7). Revised Standard Version, Translator’s New Testament, New International Version, take the “we” here to be exclusive (also Beare), and this would seem to be in closer agreement with the Greek text (see Bible de Jérusalem).
The verb translated “choose” is used only here in the New Testament; it is formed from the noun meaning “lot” and so means “to choose by lot.” The idea derives from the Old Testament concept of the people of Israel being chosen by Yahweh to be his people (compare Deut 9.29; 32.9-10; Psa 74.2). There are those who take the Greek passive participle here to mean “we have received the lot/portion (from God),” but it seems better to take it to mean “we were made God’s portion/lot.” The emphasis is that the initiative and action are God’s alone: he made us his people (Revised Standard Version “have been … appointed” in verse 12).
Chose us … in union with Christ: the phrase “in whom also we were selected” may involve a number of complications in translation. In the first place the introductory phrase “in whom” must refer to Jesus Christ, and it may be possible to introduce this as a type of causative relationship, for example, “because of our being united with Christ.” It may, however, be impossible to use a passive expression such as “we were selected,” since this might imply that God was not involved in the process. God is obviously the agent of so many other events in this context that to use the passive might imply in some languages that some other person or instrumentality was involved. Therefore, it may be best to translate “in whom also we were selected” as “because of our being united with Christ God selected us” or “… chose us.” It is particularly important to indicate in the use of the term “choose” that this is a choice for a particular purpose, namely, “to become his people.” One must avoid any expression which would merely imply favoritism or God making an exception of us.
The thought of God’s initiative is reinforced by the following clause “having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will” (Hdb|fig:Table_EPH1-3.jpg). Good News Translation restructures this lengthy and complex participial phrase with the last half of the verse, because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the beginning, and the opening clause of the verse, All things are done according to God’s plan and decision. For the verb “predestine” see Eph. 1.5. “Purpose” translates a noun which is related to the verb “he purposed” in verse 9c. “Accomplishes” translates a Greek verb meaning “to work, to realize, to make effective” (see 1 Cor 12.6, and see the verb also in Col 1.29). The final clause “according to the decision of his will” is like verse 5b and verse 9b, “Decision” translates a word used of God in Luke 7.30; Acts 2.23; 20.27; according to the context it may mean “plan, purpose.” “Will” translates the word represented by purpose in verse 5b. If any distinction is sought between the two, the first one expresses the idea of “purpose and deliberation,” while the second one denotes “will” alone (so Abbott).
In a number of languages it is necessary to restructure considerably the expression “having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will.” This has been done in Good News Translation and needs to be done in most languages, since the various phrases referring to God’s purpose and plan seen to be heaped one on top of another. In the first place, it is often necessary to change the passive expression “having been predestined” into an active one, for this predestination can only be related to God. Therefore one may translate “having been predestined” as “God planned ahead of time” or “God decided before it happened.” The phrase “according to the purpose” may be rendered as “that is how God planned.” The statement “the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will” must in most languages be made quite specific. That is to say, one must indicate that this is “God” who accomplishes all things or “does all things.” The phrase “according to the decision of his will” may accordingly be rendered as “that is just as God decided he wanted to do it.” It is extremely useful to break up this complex series of phrases and to restructure the statement more or less in terms of the manner in which the Good News Translation text has done it.
Verse 12 begins “for us to be…” (Hdb|fig:Table_EPH1-3.jpg), which indicates the purpose of God’s choosing us; this construction is identical with the one in verse 4 (“for us to be holy…”). Good News Translation restructures this expression of purpose as Let us, then. “For the praise of his glory” is similar to verse 6a “for the praise of the glory of his grace.” See Good News Translation, Let us … praise God’s glory! The following participial phrase “(the ones) who had already hoped in Christ” is in apposition to “us”; that is, it explains precisely who is meant by “us”; see Good News Translation, who were the first to hope in Christ. It seems obvious that there is a contrast between the “we” of verse 12 and the “you” of verse 13; most take verse 12 to refer to Christians of Jewish origin, people “who had already hoped” in the Messiah. The compound verb “to hope before” occurs only here in the New Testament; it may mean “we (Jews) hoped in the Messiah before you (Gentiles) did,” or (so Robinson; Jerusalem Bible) “we (Jews) hoped in the Messiah before he came.”
One of the most difficult terms in the New Testament to translate adequately is hope, since it involves a number of related elements of meaning. First, there is a time period, implying the component of “wait.” But the element of waiting is one in which patience is obviously an important element. There is also the expectation that the result of one’s patient waiting will be something good. Therefore, in some languages the equivalent is “to look forward with patience to something good.” Verse 12 may then be translated as “we who were the first to look forward to Christ should praise God’s glory.” It may, however, be very difficult in some languages to speak of “God’s glory” if the term “glory” simply means “brilliant” or “shining.” This would make God out as simply some bright object. The closest equivalent for God’s glory may be “how wonderful God is,” and this type of clause goes well with a term such as “praise.”
It is to be noticed that Revised Standard Version has thoroughly restructured the two verses, making the whole sentence clear and intelligible; it has not followed the Greek order of words in verses 11-12.
Many translators will find that they can translate this passage only after they have written out a series of short sentences that show clearly all the events and the participants in those events, as well as the relations between them. The result will be something like this:
(1) God chose us to be his own people in our union with Christ.
(2) He had decided to do this previously because that was his purpose.
(3) It is because God plans it and decides to do it that all things are done.
(4) God did this so that we should praise his greatness (or, glory).
(5) We were the first to hope in Christ.
Translators will then construct a clear sentence or a series of sentences in their own language. They should use the structures of their own language, but they may get some ideas from what Good News Translation has done in English.
The Good News Translation restructuring is as follows: All things are done according to God’s plan and decision represents Hdb|fig:Table_EPH1-3.jpg “the one who accomplishes all things according to the decision of his will”; God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ represents “in whom also we were selected”; because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning represents “having been predestined according to the purpose”; Let us, then … praise God’s glory represents “for us to be for the praise of his glory”; and who were the first to hope in Christ represents “who had already hoped in Christ.”
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1982. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .