Definition: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this really beautiful and complex verse from Ephesians 1:9. It’s a bit poetic, but here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, it says: “God has revealed to us his plan – his purpose for everything.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Having made known” : This means God is telling us something. He's not just thinking about something; he's actively revealing it to us. “The mystery of his will” : "Will" can mean many things – a desire, a plan, a purpose. But in this context, "will" refers to God’s purpose . It’s what He intends for everything to happen. Think of it like a puzzle piece - God's will is the complete picture. “According to his good pleasure” : This is where it gets really interesting. “Good pleasure” means something that brings joy, happiness, and fulfillment. It’s His delight – what He finds pleasing and rewarding. It’s like He has a special reason for everything. So, putting it all together: God isn't just randomly creating things. He's deliberately and lovingly setting up a plan for the whole world, and that plan is based on His own happiness and purpose. Why is this important? It’s a foundational idea in Christian theology – that God has a grand design for everything and that we are part of that design. It emphasizes that God loves us and wants our lives to be fulfilling and blessed. Think of it like this: Imagine you're building a house. You don't just start building randomly. You have blueprints, and you’re following a plan designed by someone (God) to create something beautiful and functional. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a little more context about the significance of this passage?