Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

If you read your bible on line with applications such as biblegateway, you might not see the italics associated with the word trusted. Most of us who have studied the Word with any kind of detail understand the use of italics indicates words added which were not in the original manuscripts.

The use of italic words was meant to bring clarity to a subject which is difficult to translate from one language to another. Here the translators felt it was necessary to interject trust as an import element of this verse. So why isn’t “after that ye” also italicized?

Two times these three words were used to translate from akouo and piteuo, hearing and believing respectively.

The first “after that” used involves a complex issue upon which generations upon generations have struggled with a proper understanding. That is the issue of being given ears to hear. The primary definition of akouo is “endowed with the ability to hear”. After that indicates the order, that you must first trust in the Lord in order to be given ears to hear logos, His spoken Word.

The same can be said of piteuo. Only after you believe are you saved by the gospel and then and only then are we “sealed” by the Holy Spirit.

Do you need to know all this to be saved? Probably not, but I think that it is important that we understand the order in which God presents Himself. The use of “after that” is just as important as the italicized “trusted”. God is a God of order and if we get the order right, we will receive the blessing which comes along with not skipping steps or leaving important issues undone.

Ephesians 1

4a According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world

5b according to the good pleasure of his will

7b according to the riches of his grace;

9b according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

11b according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

19b according to the working of his mighty power,

Please note that I am not addressing the subject matter at hand here but rather trying to understand how it might sound to the lost or even the weak in faith. The tone of speech here can be viewed as favoritism. For those who do not know God at all, or are just getting to know Him for the first time, this might come across as discrimination of the worst kind.

I have spent the last few weeks trying to illuminate God’s character, personality, nature and His relationship with His creation. It is vital to have that proper understanding in order to prevent negative emotions from surfacing. The enemies of the Cross and those weak in the faith will often argue emotionally.

Satan would have you turn your back on God and stop listening. Those negative thoughts delight the enemy. This is why I ask you to know God in all His ways so that you can weigh your thoughts in your studies against your knowledge of who God is in truth.

If your studies lead you to say in your heart, “That doesn’t sound like the God I know!”, re-evaluate your thoughts and pay closer attention to your studies to see God’s person in them.