Q&R – Were only WE ‘saints’ chosen from eternity? Ephesians 1:4 – Brad Jersak

Question Brad, how do we counter the claim that Ephesians 1:4 was addressed to the “saints” in accordance with verse 1b and not everyone from before the foundation of the world? Response My first instinct is not to counter the claim at all.  Here's how I might approach it: I would point out, first, that MAYBE we should say that while the letter is addressed to the saints in Ephesus (1b), the WE of verse 4 could EITHER refer to WE SAINTS, OR it could refer to the universal outcome anticipated in verse 10: "...as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on ...