SPECIAL TOPIC: BELOVED

Old Testament
1. The origin of this wonderful title comes from the Servant Songs of Isaiah, particularly Isa. 42:1 (quoted in Matt. 12:18) for Jesus.
  Special Topic: My Servant
2. It is a play on the word "son" used of Israel (i.e., Rom. 11:28), Israel's King, and the Messiah.
  Special Topic: Son of God
3. It refers to Israel, God's covenant people, in Paul's extended discussion of the privilege and unbelief in Romans 9-11, particularly used in Rom. 11:28.
4. It is used of Jerusalem in Ps. 87:2-3; Rev. 20:9.
New Testament
1. A title for Jesus from the Father
  1. at His baptism by John (literally, "My Son, the Beloved") ‒ Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22
  2. at His transfiguration (literally, "the Son of Me, the Beloved") ‒ Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35; 2 Pet. 1:17
  3. a title for Jesus by Paul ‒ Eph, 1:6
2. The descriptive title
  1. characterizes believers as chosen, beloved ‒ 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13
  2. a general title for the followers of "the Beloved" ‒ Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 4:14; 10:14; 15:58; 2 Cor. 7:1; 12:19; Phil. 2:12; 4:1; 1 Thess. 1:4; Heb. 6:9; James 1:16,19; 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:11; 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:17; 3:1,8,14,15,17; 1 John 3:2,21; 4:1,7,11; 3 John 1:2,5,11; Jude vv. 3,17,20
  3. used by Paul for specific individuals or churches ‒ Rom. 16:8,9,12; 1 Cor. 4:14,17; 10:14; 15:58; 2 Cor. 12:19; Eph. 6:21; Phil. 2:12; Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:2
  4. referring to believing slaves ‒ Col. 4:9; 1 Tim. 6:2; Philemon 1:16
  5. used by John for Gaius ‒ 3 John 1:1
3. a beautiful description of believers includes this title in Col. 4:12
  1. chosen (see Special Topic: He Chose Us)
  2. holy (see Special Topic: Holy)
  3. beloved (see Special Topic: Love)

What God the Father did for Jesus in Eph. 1:20, Jesus has now done for His followers in Eph. 2:5-6! We are truly the beloved ones of the Beloved One!