In the Roman culture when Paul wrote his Epistle to the Ephesians, a Roman father could disinherit a son born into the family, but not an adopted child.
That fact has everything to do with Paul assuring his readers they were secure in their salvation. Here’s how.
Ephesians 1:5 says:
“he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”
We take for granted God prompted Paul to refer to adoption, for he could have just said, “he predestined us to be members of the family of God.” Instead, the fact Paul specifically referred to adoption was hugely important. TWEET THAT!
As a Roman citizen, Paul knew the Roman law and culture. A Roman father had no choice as to what he received when a baby was born naturally into the family. If the child grew up and disgraced the family, the father could justify disinheriting him by saying, “I didn’t know he had all these flaws, otherwise I wouldn’t have chosen him.”
But an adopted child was chosen specifically with full knowledge of his strengths, weaknesses, appearance, and anything else a family considered important. Therefore, a father could not justify disinheriting him. A father could never say, “I didn’t know what I was getting.”
Paul’s wording didn’t just say we are sons (or daughters). He included the fact we are adopted. His readers knew the significance of not only becoming a son but an adopted son—a position which could not be taken away regardless of performance or flaws.
I hope this speaks to you as much as it speaks to me. God wants us to know we cannot be disinherited—we cannot lose our salvation! He chose us fully knowing we would not be perfect.
But he also wants us to desire to please Him out of gratitude for the great salvation He has given us. As we live in that assurance, we’ll give glory to God.
If you are a Christian, you are secure. You may not always “feel” it, but you are regardless of your feelings. Your assurance has nothing to do with your feelings. It has everything to do with your adoption!
How does that speak to you? Is it meaningful? I’d love for you to share with us if it is, or if it’s confusing. We can learn from each other.
(excerpted from my book, Pure-Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory) 
This is profound and I am delighted Mohave received this good word.
I’m so glad you found this meaningful, David. Thank you for commenting.
This has always been special profound truth to me as an adopted kid. My adoptive parents loved me however because of mental issues my adoptive mother (after my dad died) disinherited me. It was heartbreaking because of the rejection I felt, but knowing our Heavenly Father said that could not happen in His Kingdom gave me peace and security in who, and whose, I really am.
Deborah, I’m so excited that you already knew about this wonderful old world Roman world truth and it continues to strengthen you with the security of God’s salvation and work in your life. I can’t relate to the experience of being adopted since I wasn’t, but my heart hurts with you. Thank you for your comment which is a testimony of God’s care and faithfulness as our “adopter Dad.” I’m sure you have ministered to many with your sharing. Keep giving Him glory!
Hello Kathy,
Thank you for your commentary.
A Roman father could not disown his adopted son.
What if the adopted son disowned his adopted status and his Roman father?
God will never disown us based upon our performance, but what if we were to tell God that we no longer wanted to be considered as His adopted sons.
What would transpire? Would we still be adopted sons? Would God require us to remain as such?
Blessings
Hello Glenn, Thank you for your thoughtful questions. You have asked some difficult questions and I’m grateful. I do have my own understanding of the challenges you propose. My belief is that the “prodigal” who turns away:
1. Was never truly saved to begin with
2. That person’s commitment will return to following Christ before he dies.
We so often see someone who had said they believed in Christ but now, like the biblical prodigal child say they don’t believe any more or they refuse to obey the Holy Spirit. But their life has not ended and there is always time for them to return to living for Christ.
Those are my thoughts. Thank you for asking for my opinion. God bless you.
In the case of the “Prodigal,” remember, this was a story or a parable. However, in that story, the prodigal was never, at any time, anything less than the son of his father. While he was home – he was a son. When he left home (in rebellion) – he was a son. When he hit bottom, feeding swine – he was a son. When “he came to himself” (Lk. 15:17) he recalled his “Father’s servants.” Remember, RELATIONSHIP is based on BLOOD. FELLOWSHIP (which is what was affected by the prodigal’s actions) is affected by BEHAVIOR. When he was separated from his father, the prodigal’s RELATIONSHIP remained in tact. His FELLOWSHIP with his father and family was adversely affected due to his BEHAVIOR. Still, his RELATIONSHIP to the father as a SON was based on BLOOD.
LF, You are absolutely right and perfectly expressed. We are truly blessed that our relationship with God is based on Jesus’s blood and not our performance. Thanks so much for commenting. Hope you will return to my blog in the future.
I am trying to qualify your assertion that a Roman father could not disinherit (or disown?) an adopted son but am having a hard time finding verification in Roman law. Might you have something concrete to support this. This information would certainly be a welcome addition to the Good News of the assurance of our salvation.
Thanks for inquiring, John. Good question. I have found many people giving the same info (like https://www.disciplersonline.org/blog/adopted-as-sons) but I’m no scholar of Roman law. I googled the subject and found many blog sights using the same info but in my research I haven’t found anyone who sites some information from Roman documents. Sorry, that’s all I can give ya. Thanks for stopping by.
Was the same thing true in the Jewish/Hebrew culture?
Lester, not that I know of. In my research, I could only find references to this in Roman culture at that time. If you come across any other information regarding it, I would appreciate you letting me know. Thank you and keep up the great work for God’s glory through your important website and ministry.