I prepared this study for Advanced Greek Grammar (New Testament 705) at Bob Jones University in the spring of 2005.
ΕΝ ΑΓΑΠΗ with Verse 4
Ambiguous
American Standard Version (1901): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Anchor Bible (????): As [we confess] / to live by love [, standing] holy and blameless before him. / Before the foundation of the world he has chosen us in Christ
BGT (1993): καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ, 5 προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς αὐτόν, κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ,
Bible in Basic English (1964): even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love: 5 As we were designed before by him for the position of sons to himself, through Jesus Christ, in the good pleasure of his purpose,
Bishop’s NT (1595): according as he had chosen vs in hym before the foundation of the world, that we shoulde be holy, and without blame before hym, through loue. 5 Who hath predestinate vs into the adoption of children, by Iesus Christ vnto hym selfe, according to the good pleasure of his wyll:
Darby (1890): according as he has chosen us in him before the world’s foundation, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love; 5 having marked us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Douay–Rheims American Edition (1899): as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity. 5 Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:
Elberfelder (????): wie er uns in ihm auserwählt hat vor Grundlegung der Welt, daß wir heilig und tadellos vor ihm seien in Liebe, 5 und uns vorherbestimmt hat zur Sohnschaft durch Jesus Christus für sich selbst nach dem Wohlgefallen seines Willens,
English Majority Text Version (????): just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
English Revised Version (????): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Geneva Bible (1599): As hee hath chosen vs in him, before the foundation of the worlde, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in loue: 5 Who hath predestinate vs, to be adopted through Iesus Christ in him selfe, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Hebrew Names Version (????): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; 5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Yeshua the Messiah to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
King James Version (1611/1769): according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Literal Translation (????): even as He elected us in Him before the foundation of the world, for us to be holy and without blemish before Him in love, 5 predestinating us to adoption through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Luther Bible (1545): wie er uns denn erwählet hat durch denselbigen, ehe der Welt Grund gelegt war, daß wir sollten sein heilig und unsträflich vor ihm in der Liebe; 5 und hat uns verordnet zur Kindschaft gegen ihn selbst durch JEsum Christum, nach dem Wohlgefallen seines Willens,
Modern Greek (Vamvas) Bible (1850): καθὼς ἐξέλεξεν ἡμᾶς δί αὐτοῦ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου, διὰ νὰ ἤμεθα ἅγιοι καὶ ἄμωμοι ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ διὰ τῆς ἀγάπης, 5 προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἑαυτόν, κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὑτοῦ,
Modern King James Version (????): according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
New English Translation (2004): For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. 5 He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—
New Jerusalem Bible (1985): Thus he chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love, 5 marking us out for himself beforehand, to be adopted sons, through Jesus Christ. Such was his purpose and good pleasure,
New King James Version (1982): just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
New Revised Standard Version (1989): just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Revidierte Elberfelder (1993): wie er uns in ihm auserwählt hat vor Grundlegung der Welt, daß wir heilig und tadellos vor ihm seien in Liebe, 5 und uns vorherbestimmt hat zur Sohnschaft durch Jesus Christus für sich selbst nach dem Wohlgefallen seines Willens,
Revised Webster Update (1995): according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children to himself by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Statenvertaling (????): Gelijk Hij ons uitverkoren heeft in Hem, voor de grondlegging der wereld, opdat wij zouden heilig en onberispelijk zijn voor Hem in de liefde; 5 Die ons te voren verordineerd heeft tot aanneming tot kinderen, door Jezus Christus, in Zichzelven, naar het welbehagen van Zijn wil.
Tyndale’s NT (1534): accordynge as he had chosen vs in him before the foundacion of the worlde was layde that we shuld be saintes and without blame before him thorow loue. 5 And ordeyned vs before thorow Iesus Christ to be heyres vnto him silfe accordinge to the pleasure of his will
Webster Bible (1833): according as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children to himself by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Westcott and Hort (1881): καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ, 5 προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς αὐτόν κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ,
World English Bible (????): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.1a 5 He has predestined us for adoption as his own sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his good pleasure and will,
World English Bible (????): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; 5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
The Believer’s Love
Contemporary English Version (1995): Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind2 and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children.
New English Bible (????): In Christ he chose us before the world was founded, to be dedicated, to be without blemish in his sight, to be full of love; 5 and he destined us…
Revised English Bible (????): Before the foundation of the world he chose us in Christ to be his people, to be without blemish in his sight, to be full of love; 5 and he predestined us..
God’s Love
Living Bible (1971): Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love. 5 His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!
Message (2003): Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. 5 Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)
New Living Translation (1996?): Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Weymouth NT (1912): even as, in His love, He chose us as His own in Christ before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish in His presence. 5 For He pre-destined us to be adopted by Himself as sons through Jesus Christ—such being His gracious will and pleasure—
ΕΝ ΑΓΑΠΗ with Verse 5
Christian Counselor’s (Revised) New Testament (1994): even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His own sons through Jesus Christ in keeping with the good pleasure of His intention,
English Standard Version (2001): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us3 for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
God’s Word (????): Before the creation of the world, he chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in his presence. 5 Because of his love he had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this
Good News Translation (1992?): Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love 5 God4 had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his sons and daughters—this was his pleasure and purpose.
כַּאֲשֶׁר בּוֹ בְחָרָנוּ עַד לֹא נוֹסְדָה אָרֶץ לִהְיוֹת קְדֹשִׁים וּתְמִימִים לְפָנָיו׃:(1886/1999) Hebrew NT
וּבְאַהֲבָתוֹ יְעָדָנוּ מֵרֹאשׁ לִהְיוֹת לוֹ לְבָנִים עַל־יְדֵי יֵשׁוּעַ הַמָּשִׁיחַ כְּחֵפֶץ לִבּוֹ הַטּוֹב׃ 5
Holman Christian Standard Bible (????): for He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will,
International Standard Version (2000): just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his presence. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will,
James Murdock Translation of the Peshitta (1852): according as he had previously chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and without blame before him; and, in love, predestinated us for himself; 5 and adopted us for sons, in Jesus the Messiah, as was agreeable to his pleasure:
Louis Segond (1996): En lui Dieu nous a élus avant la fondation du monde, pour que nous soyons saints et irrépréhensibles devant lui, 5 nous ayant prédestinés dans son amour à être ses enfants d’adoption par Jésus-Christ, selon le bon plaisir de sa volonté,
Messianic Renewed Covenant (????): according as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unblemished before Him. In love 5 He foreordained us to adoption as sons through Yeshua the Messiah to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
New American Bible (1970): as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will,
New American Standard Updated (1995): just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
New Century Version (1991): That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him. 5 Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him,
New International Version (1984): For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Revidierte Lutherbibel (1984): Denn in ihm hat er uns erwählt, ehe der Welt Grund gelegt war, daß wir, heilig und untadelig vor ihm sein sollten; in seiner Liebe 5 hat er uns dazu vorherbestimmt, seine Kinder zu sein durch Jesus Christus nach dem Wohlgefallen seines Willens,
Revised Standard Version (1952): even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 5 He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
Wuest’s Expanded Translation (1961): even as He selected us out for himself in Him before the foundations of the universe were laid, to be holy ones and without blemish before His searching, penetrating gaze; in love 5 having previously marked us out to be placed as adult sons through the intermediate agency of Jesus Christ for himself according to that which seemed good in His heart’s desire,
Ambiguous
Analytical–Literal Version (????): just as He chose us in Him before [the] laying of the foundation of the world [or, before beginning of the creation of the universe], so that we shall be holy and unblemished [fig., without fault] before Him, in love, 5 having predestined us to [the] adoption [or, the formal and legal declaration that we are His children] by means of Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Robinson–Pierpont Majority Text (1995): καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ 5 προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς αὐτόν κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ
Stephanus (Robert Etienne’s) NT (1550): καθὼς ἐξελέξατο ἡμᾶς ἐν αὐτῷ πρὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἁγίους καὶ ἀμώμους κατενώπιον αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγάπῃ 5 προορίσας ἡμᾶς εἰς υἱοθεσίαν διὰ ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς αὐτόν κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν τοῦ θελήματος αὐτοῦ
Vulgate (????): sicut elegit nos in ipso ante mundi constitutionem ut essemus sancti et inmaculati in conspectu eius in caritate 5 qui praedestinavit nos in adoptionem filiorum per Iesum Christum in ipsum secundum propositum voluntatis suae
Young’s Literal Translation (1862/98): according as He did choose us in him before the foundation of the world, for our being holy and unblemished before Him, in love, 5 having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Notes
1. a. In the original Greek text 1:3–14 constitutes one sentence. For the sake of intelligibility the translation has not attempted to convey this stylistic feature. Instead, its sentence divisions have followed what appear to be the main structural dividers in this passage. For discussion of this and of the relation of the last part of v 4 to v 5 and the last part of v 8 to v 9 see Form/Structure/Setting below. ↩
2. 1.4,5 holy and innocent and loving people. 5 God was kind: Or “holy and innocent people. God was loving 5 and kind.” ↩
3. Or before him in love, having predestined us. ↩
4. before him. Because of his love God; or before him, and to live in love. God. ↩