A
doption was a widespread legal procedure throughout the Greco-Roman world. The Greek term Paul uses (huiothesia) always denoted the process or status of been adopted as a son. Unlike the modern adoption of children, typically the Roman elite adopted grown adult men. The adopted individual was equal to a natural child in the eyes of the law and society. Upon being adopted, a Roman citizen passed from one family to another, bringing with him all associated relations under his power. Thus a childless man could adopt a man with a family, ensuring not only a legally smooth inheritance process but also, more importantly, the continuation of the family name and spirit to the next generation. This would also enable a lower-class individual to climb the social and political ladder through being adopted by an elite family.
Adoption became very popular in Roman families after Augustus enacted the laws known as the Lex Iulia et Papia Poppaea in AD 9, which granted more privileges to citizens with children. Augustus (Octavian) was technically adopted by his great-uncle Julius Caesar and took as his name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. The emperor Claudius, in power, when Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, was an adopted grandson of Augustus. Paul uses this term to show that all believers attain the status of sons of God, even if they were slaves, because of the work of Christ.
None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God
How does this matter to any Christian?
It matters because the bible talks about it a great deal. Ephesians 1:5 says, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace... How should any Christian respond to this? We respond it with a surprise. You shouldn't just be happy about it, but this should surprise you, because of who we were.
Understand this, the Bible says none is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. (Rom 3:10-12). If no one seeks after God, how then in the world can anyone know and experience God in his fullness. God knows our inability, helpless and sinful condition of our hearts. Instead of exercising his justice upon us, he displayed His majestic glorious grace towards us by sending his son Jesus to save us from this condition. He chose us in Jesus Christ before the foundations of the earth. He adopted us who are rebels into his imperial family and made us his inheritance and promised us with every blessing in heavenly places. That alone should greatly humble us because he chose us not because we are good in nature or we will choose to follow him (willingness) but according to his own purpose and will (read Ephesians 1:5). If God throws to decide our destiny by our moral condition, we are naturally going to hellfire. Rather, he reconciled us through Jesus Christ.
