Ephesians 2:12 –  Without expectation and without God

…having no expectation, and without God in the world.

In these verses Paul describes the condition of “the nations in flesh” (2:11), that is, the gentile world outside of Israel. As uncircumcised ones, they were outside the privileges that GOD had granted to the people of Israel. A sad position, because “having not expectation and without GOD in the world”. In Greek, “without GOD” is óne word (atheos); our word “atheism” is derived from it.

It is typical that ‘expectation’ and “GOD” are mentioned in the same breath. Knowing a random god, as paganism knows so many, is no basis for hope. Because what such a god would like could be thwarted by another god. By contrast, when there is óne GOD, by definition nothing can stop Him from fulfilling what He intends. Because there is óne GOD, He places and controls everything.

Getting to know GOD automatically brings hope and expectation. For how could hopeless cases exist for GOD. No matter how deep and painful his ways sometimes go, every creature is wanted by Him. He never lets that go. “For out of Him and  through Him and into Him are all things. To Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!”

Delen: