Ephesians 2:7 is a powerful and hopeful verse, stating the long-term purpose behind God's saving grace. Let's break it down:
"that in the ages to come..." This phrase points to the future, a future that extends beyond our present lifetime and into eternity. It's not just about what God does for us now, but about the impact of his actions throughout all of eternity.
"he might show..." God's intention is to reveal or demonstrate something. He wants to display a particular aspect of his character.
"the exceeding riches of his grace..." This refers to the immeasurable abundance and wealth of God's grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor, his kindness freely given even though we don't deserve it. The word "exceeding" emphasizes the sheer immensity of this grace; it goes above and beyond what we could ever expect or imagine. It's not just a little grace, but an overflowing abundance.
"in kindness toward us..." This tells us how God's grace is expressed. It's manifested as kindness, benevolence, and loving-kindness. It emphasizes the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with us. It's not just a cold, abstract act of forgiveness, but a warm, personal expression of love and care.
"in Christ Jesus..." This is the key to understanding how we receive this grace. It's through Christ Jesus that we experience God's kindness and receive his grace. Jesus is the mediator, the one who bridges the gap between us and God. His sacrifice on the cross made it possible for God to extend his grace to us without compromising his justice.
In summary, Ephesians 2:7 means that God's eternal purpose is to continually demonstrate the immense and boundless riches of his grace by showing kindness to us, and this kindness is made possible and received through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here are some further implications:
It's an ongoing display: This isn't a one-time event. Throughout eternity, God will continue to display the riches of his grace.
It's for our benefit and His glory: God's kindness is directed "toward us," but ultimately it brings glory to Him. By demonstrating his grace, He reveals his character and draws people to himself.
Humility: Understanding this verse can foster humility. We recognize that everything we have is a gift of God's grace and not something we earned.
Hope: It's a verse of incredible hope. It assures us that God's kindness and grace will continue to be available to us, not just in this life, but throughout eternity.
This verse provides a glimpse into God's heart and his plans for the future. It's a reminder that his grace is abundant, his kindness is constant, and his love endures forever.
Ephesians 2:7 is a powerful and hopeful verse, stating the long-term purpose behind God's saving grace. Let's break it down:
"that in the ages to come..." This phrase points to the future, a future that extends beyond our present lifetime and into eternity. It's not just about what God does for us now, but about the impact of his actions throughout all of eternity.
"he might show..." God's intention is to reveal or demonstrate something. He wants to display a particular aspect of his character.
"the exceeding riches of his grace..." This refers to the immeasurable abundance and wealth of God's grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor, his kindness freely given even though we don't deserve it. The word "exceeding" emphasizes the sheer immensity of this grace; it goes above and beyond what we could ever expect or imagine. It's not just a little grace, but an overflowing abundance.
"in kindness toward us..." This tells us how God's grace is expressed. It's manifested as kindness, benevolence, and loving-kindness. It emphasizes the personal and relational aspect of God's interaction with us. It's not just a cold, abstract act of forgiveness, but a warm, personal expression of love and care.
"in Christ Jesus..." This is the key to understanding how we receive this grace. It's through Christ Jesus that we experience God's kindness and receive his grace. Jesus is the mediator, the one who bridges the gap between us and God. His sacrifice on the cross made it possible for God to extend his grace to us without compromising his justice.
In summary, Ephesians 2:7 means that God's eternal purpose is to continually demonstrate the immense and boundless riches of his grace by showing kindness to us, and this kindness is made possible and received through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Here are some further implications:
It's an ongoing display: This isn't a one-time event. Throughout eternity, God will continue to display the riches of his grace.
It's for our benefit and His glory: God's kindness is directed "toward us," but ultimately it brings glory to Him. By demonstrating his grace, He reveals his character and draws people to himself.
Humility: Understanding this verse can foster humility. We recognize that everything we have is a gift of God's grace and not something we earned.
Hope: It's a verse of incredible hope. It assures us that God's kindness and grace will continue to be available to us, not just in this life, but throughout eternity.
This verse provides a glimpse into God's heart and his plans for the future. It's a reminder that his grace is abundant, his kindness is constant, and his love endures forever.