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: (KJV)

Let that verse wrap around your heart and mind. Take comfort in the truth Paul has written. Remember he is writing to a church that he had a long and miraculous relationship with.

Use this verse to increase your study skills. Not all of our English words come from the same idea in Greek. There are root words, prefixes, and some little-used words to explore.

1. Even as- kathos, G2531.
2. Chose – eklegomai, G1586.
3. Him – autos, G846.
4. Before – pro, G4253.
5. Creation/foundation – katabole, G2602. This word appears most of the time with the word “world” in the same sentence. Hebrews 11:11 is different, Abraham is connected with creating a child with Sarah. The definition says “casting down”, so put this into perspective and think about laying or “throwing” a foundation.
6. World – kosmos, G2889. Yes, it means our earth but it has many other meanings. So, read this word in context.
7. Holy – hagios, G40.
8. Blameless – amomous, G299. “Not blemished” is a good definition. Some translations use righteous.
9. Before – katenopion, G2714. The three times it is used (Col. 1:22, Jude 24) it carries the idea you are standing in front of the Father. The good news in this verse, in Jesus we can stand blameless before God.
10. Love – agape, G26. Agape is one of four Greek words we translate as love. Do your homework here. My first search pulled up a work by C.S. Lewis. I believe this is what the Father was looking for in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, they chose knowledge instead of relationships.

Numbers 1, 5, and 9 are associated with the word kata, G2596. I like my paper copy of Strong’s but electronic versions should have the root words or etymology listed in number form, just look them up.

Letter replacement is also on view here, where a Greek spelling may have a “k” we use a “c”. Think cosmos and catacombs as words this exchange happens in.

I will point out autos and pro, as our good old slang having interesting roots.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)