Greek Word For Inheritance In Ephesians
The Greek word κληρονομία (klēronomia) is used in Ephesians to refer to the concept of inheritance. This term appears three times in Ephesians 1, specifically in verses 11, 14, and 18 [5, 6, 7]. The word κληρονομία is derived from the verb κληρονομέω (klēronomeō), meaning "to inherit" [3].
In classical Greek, κληρονομία referred to the act of receiving a portion or share, often in the context of family inheritance [1]. The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon notes that the term was used to describe the inheritance received by an heir-at-law [1]. In the New Testament, the concept of inheritance is closely tied to the idea of being an heir of God's promises and blessings.
In Ephesians 1:11, the phrase "in whom also we were assigned an inheritance" (ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἐκληρονομήσαμεν) suggests that believers have been given a share in God's inheritance, which is Christ [4]. This inheritance is not limited to earthly possessions but encompasses spiritual blessings and salvation. According to Adam Clarke, this inheritance refers to the adoption of sons and the kingdom of heaven, promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed [9].
The Spirit is described as "a pledge of our inheritance" in Ephesians 1:14, indicating that the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of the believer's future inheritance [2]. This inheritance is characterized as "incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading" in 1 Peter 1:4, highlighting its eternal and spiritual nature [12].
The concept of inheritance in Ephesians is closely tied to the idea of being chosen and predestined by God. According to John Gill, believers have obtained an inheritance in Christ, which is an incorruptible and eternal inheritance of glory and happiness in heaven [10]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that salvation is often described as an inheritance in Paul's writings, emphasizing God's sovereignty in bestowing this gift on believers [11].
The use of κληρονομία in Ephesians underscores the idea that believers are heirs of God's promises and blessings, and that their inheritance is secured through their union with Christ. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note, this inheritance is a key aspect of the Gospel, and is closely tied to the believer's hope and salvation [8].
Sources
- TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G2817] κληρονομία — inheritance: <b> κληρονομ-ία</b>, ἡ, <br /> <b>inheritance</b>, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 19.43, etc.">Refs 5th c.BC+</a>]; ἡ κ. κατὰ τὴν ἀγχιστείαν <b>inheritance</b> as heir-at-law, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 43.3; κ. μὴκατὰδόσιν, ἀλλὰκατὰ γένος 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1309a23: _metaphorically_, εἰλήφασι τὴν τοῦ ὀνόματος κ. αἱ σωματικαὶ ἡδοναί">Refs 4th c.BC+</a>] have taken <b>possession</b> of.., [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" [prev. author] “EN” 1153b33. ">Re”
- Ephesians “who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. -- Ephesians 1:14”
- TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G2816] κληρονομέω — to inherit (part 1/4): <b> κληρονομ-έω</b>, <br /> <b>inherit</b>, with <i>genitive</i> <i>of things</i>, ὥσπερ τῆς οὐσίας, οὕτω καὶ τῆς φιλίας τῆς πατρικῆς κ. [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 5th-6th c.BC: Isocrates Orator 1.2, compare 4th c.BC: Isaeus Orator 4.7, 4th c.BC: Lycurgus Orator 127; ὅς γ᾽ ἐκεκληρονομήκεις τῶν.. χρημάτων πλεῖν ἢ πέντε ταλάντων 4th c.BC: Demosthenes Orator 18.312; μὴ πλειόνων ἢ μιᾶς [κληρονομίας] τὸν αὐτὸν κ. 4th c.BC: Aristoteles Philosophus “Politica” 1309a25: with _accusative_ _of things_, 4th c.BC: Lycurgus Orator 88, 2nd c.AD: Lucianus”
- Ephesians “in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; -- Ephesians 1:11”
- STEPBible TAGNT “Eph.5.5#17=NKO — Greek tagged text (TAGNT): κληρονομίαν (klēronomian) [inheritance] "G2817=N-ASF"”
- STEPBible TAGNT “Eph.1.14#05=NKO — Greek tagged text (TAGNT): κληρονομίας (klēronomias) [inheritance] "G2817=N-GSF"”
- STEPBible TAGNT “Eph.1.18#25=NKO — Greek tagged text (TAGNT): κληρονομίας (klēronomias) [inheritance] "G2817=N-GSF"”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:3: The doxologies in almost all the Epistles imply the real sense of grace experienced by the writers and their readers (Pe1 1:3). Eph 1:3-14 sets forth summarily the Gospel of the grace of God: the FATHER'S work of love, Eph 1:3 (choosing us to holiness, Eph 1:4; to sonship, Eph 1:5; to acceptance, Eph 1:6): the SON'S, Eph 1:7 (redemption, Eph 1:7; knowledge of the mystery of His will, Eph 1:9; an inheritance, Eph 1:11); the HOLY SPIRIT'S, Eph 1:13 (sealing, Eph 1:13; giving an earnest of the inheritance, Eph 1:14). the God and Father of . . . Christ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 1:11: In whom - Christ Jesus; also we - believing Jews have obtained an inheritance - what was promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed, viz. the adoption of sons, and the kingdom of heaven, signified by the privileges under the Mosaic dispensation, and the possession of the promised land, but all these privileges being forfeited by the rebellion and unbelief of the Jews, they are now about to be finally cut off, and the believing part to be re-elected, and put in possession of the blessings promised to Abraham and his spiritual seed, by faith; for without a re-elect”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:11: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,.... Or a part and lot; that is, have obtained one in Christ, in his person, and in his fulness of grace, in the blessings and promises which are in him; or have obtained to be the Lord's clergy, or heritage, to be his portion and inheritance; or rather to have an inheritance in him by lot, meaning the incorruptible and eternal inheritance of glory and happiness in heaven; to which elect men are chosen in Christ, and are begotten to a lively hope of through his resurrection from the dead; and which his righteousness give”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:11: 1:11 we have received an inheritance from God: Paul often talks about salvation as an inheritance, something promised to our spiritual ancestors and received by us (see Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Col 1:12; 3:24). • Because God is sovereign, he makes everything work out according to his plan (cp. Rom 8:28-30).”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:4: To an inheritance - Called an inheritance because it belongs to the children of God. Eternal life cannot be a gift to any but these; for, even in heaven, the lot is dealt out according to law: if children, then heirs; if not children, then not heirs. Incorruptible - Αφθαρτον· It has no principles of dissolution or decay in it; and, therefore, must be totally different from this earth. Undefiled - Αμιαντον· Nothing impure can enter it; it not only has no principles or seeds of dissolution in itself, but it can never admit any; therefore its deterioration is impossibl”