Ephesians 1:12

“That we should be to the praise of his glory, &c.] This is the end of predestination to the inheritance; and the sense is, either that the praise of the glory of God, in his grace and goodness, might be discovered and made known unto the saints, as it is displayed in election, redemption, justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, and eternal salvation; or that they should praise and glorify him on account of these things, by ascribing all to his grace, and nothing to themselves; by giving him thanks for all his benefits; by ordering their conversations aright as become the Gospel; and by doing all things with a view to his glory: who first trusted in Christ; the Jews, the apostle, and…”

“(Eph 1:6, Eph 1:14). who first trusted in Christ--rather (we Jewish Christians), "who have before hoped in the Christ": who before the Christ came, looked forward to His coming, waiting for the consolation of Israel. Compare Act 26:6-7, "I am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come." Act 28:20, "the hope of Israel" [ALFORD]. Compare Eph 1:18; Eph 2:12; Eph 4:4.”

“That we should be to the praise of his glory - Should be the occasion or the means of celebrating his glory; or that praise should be ascribed to him as the result of our salvation. Who first trusted in Christ - Margin, “hoped.” This is in accordance with the original. The foundation of their “hope” was the Saviour. Some suppose that the apostle here refers to the Jews who were converted before the gospel was preached extensively to the Gentiles. The reason for this opinion is, that in the following verse he contrasts those to whom he here refers with others whom he was addressing. But it may be that by the word “we” in Ephesians 1:11-12, he refers to himself and to his fellow-laborers who…”

“That we - Jews. Who first believed - Before the gentiles. So did some of them in every place. Here is another branch of the true gospel predestination: he that believes is not only elected to salvation, (if he endures to the end,) but is fore - appointed of God to walk in holiness, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13”

“1:12-13 we Jews . . . you Gentiles: Literally we . . . you; the reference to Jews and Gentiles is implied.”

“be: Eph 1:6, Eph 1:14, Eph 2:7, Eph 3:21; Th2 2:13 who: Eph 1:13; Psa 2:12, Psa 146:3-5; Isa 11:10, Isa 12:2, Isa 32:1, Isa 32:2, Isa 42:1-4, Isa 45:23, Isa 45:25; Jer 17:5-7, Jer 23:6; Mat 12:18-21; Joh 14:1; Rom 15:12, Rom 15:13; Ti2 1:12; Jam 1:18; Pe1 1:21 trusted: or, hoped Ephesians 1:13”