Ephesians 2:7 kjv

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 nkjv

that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 niv

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 esv

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7 nlt

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 7 Meaning

Ephesians 2:7 declares God's grand purpose for saving believers through grace: to vividly demonstrate the immense, incomparable wealth of His unmerited favor throughout the endless future ages, specifically showing His benevolent goodness towards us, who are united with Christ Jesus. It portrays believers, once spiritually dead, as living monuments of God's overflowing grace for all of eternity.

Ephesians 2 7 Context

Ephesians 2:7 stands as the climax of Paul's profound exposition on God's work of salvation, which he began describing in verse 1. The preceding verses (2:1-3) depict the spiritual depravity of humanity, dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to worldly desires and Satan, living under God's wrath. Verses 4-6 pivot dramatically to God's initiative: "But God," rich in mercy and love, made us (both Jews and Gentiles) alive together with Christ, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in heavenly places—all "by grace you have been saved."

Verse 7 then states the ultimate purpose of this magnificent act of salvation. It transitions from what God did for us in the past to what He will continue to do in the future through us. The context of the entire letter of Ephesians highlights God's eternal plan to unite all things in Christ and build the Church—a new humanity of reconciled Jews and Gentiles. Historically, believers in Ephesus, a city steeped in paganism and occult practices, were once alienated from God. This passage would profoundly underscore the radical, unmerited nature of their new life in Christ, establishing their eternal security and the profound, eternal reason for their redemption, providing hope and counteracting any humanistic tendency to rely on works or rituals for divine favor.

Ephesians 2 7 Word analysis

• so that (ἵνα - hina): This conjunction introduces a purpose clause. It signifies the divine intention or ultimate goal behind God's gracious acts described in the preceding verses. Everything God has done to save us (making alive, raising, seating) is geared towards this specific, eternal objective.

• in the coming ages (ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις - en tois aiōsin tois eperchomenois):

  • aiōsin: The plural form of aiōn, meaning "age" or "eon." It denotes indefinite periods of time or distinct epochs. The plural suggests not just the singular "eternal future" but perhaps a succession of endless epochs, implying a perpetual, ongoing demonstration.
  • eperchomenois: A present participle, "coming," "approaching," or "ensuing." This emphasizes an unfolding, eternal future rather than a single, fixed point in time.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the eternal and enduring nature of God's purpose. The manifestation of His grace is not confined to the present life or a specific moment of salvation, but will be an everlasting display, constantly revealing new depths of His character throughout eternity.

• He might show (ἐνδείξηται - endeixētai):

  • From endeiknumi, meaning "to show forth," "to demonstrate," "to make known publicly," "to prove." The aorist subjunctive middle voice suggests an active demonstration initiated by God, which also involves displaying Himself through His people.
  • Significance: God actively intends to put His grace on full display. Believers, through whom this grace has worked and is working, serve as the tangible evidence, the living proof, for all to see. It is a divine exhibition.

• the surpassing riches (τὸν ὑπερβάλλοντα πλοῦτον - ton hyperballonta plouton):

  • hyperballonta: A present active participle of hyperballō, meaning "to throw beyond," "to exceed," "to surpass," "to be preeminent." This signifies something immeasurable, beyond all comparison, extraordinary, and incomparable.
  • plouton: "Riches," "wealth," "abundance," "affluence." Here, referring to the spiritual wealth and bountiful nature of God's favor.
  • Significance: The grace of God is not merely sufficient; it is immeasurably, astronomically abundant. Its quantity and quality are beyond human comprehension or exhaustion, constantly overflowing and defying limitation.

• of His grace (τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ - tēs charitos autou):

  • charitos: "Grace," God's unmerited favor, unearned divine love and empowerment. It is central to Christian doctrine, emphasizing God's giving entirely from His own good pleasure and generosity, independent of human merit.
  • Significance: The "riches" specifically describe grace. This underscores that the grand display throughout eternity is fundamentally about God's free, undeserved, and powerful favor, removing any basis for human boasting or works-righteousness.

• in kindness (ἐν χρηστότητι - en chrēstotēti):

  • chrēstotēti: "Goodness," "graciousness," "uprightness," "benevolence." It refers to a moral excellence and pleasant disposition, often translated as gentleness or kindness.
  • Significance: This describes the compassionate manner in which God bestows and demonstrates His grace. His grace is not merely a legal or distant act but is permeated by a tender, practical, and beneficent goodness towards the objects of His favor.

• toward us (ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς - eph' hēmas):

  • Preposition epi with the accusative case indicates direction or orientation.
  • Significance: Believers are the direct beneficiaries and also the intended means through whom this great display will occur. We are the objects upon whom His kindness is shown and the living exhibit of that grace. It points to a direct, personal application of this immense favor.

• in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ - en Christō Iēsou):

  • en: "In." This phrase, foundational to Paul's theology, signifies a deep, spiritual union.
  • Significance: All the benefits of salvation, including the bestowal of this surpassing grace and its eternal manifestation, are fully rooted and realized only through union with Christ Jesus. He is the divine medium, the sphere, and the ultimate guarantee through whom God's kindness and grace flow to us and are displayed through us. Without Him, none of this is possible.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • so that in the coming ages He might show: This powerful opening highlights God's grand, eternal purpose behind the work of salvation. It is a demonstration intended not just for human understanding in the present, but for perpetual cosmic appreciation throughout unending future time.
  • the surpassing riches of His grace: This phrase describes the infinite, unimaginable abundance and depth of God's unmerited favor. It communicates that His grace is limitless, constantly flowing, and of incomparable value, far beyond human ability to comprehend or exhaust.
  • in kindness toward us: This defines the tender and benevolent character of God's interaction. His great grace is delivered with gentle, active goodness, specifically directed to His redeemed people, making them the direct recipients and proof of His loving disposition.
  • in Christ Jesus: This critical phrase anchors all of God's redemptive work. Every aspect of grace, from its giving to its eternal demonstration, flows from and is eternally secured by the believer's spiritual union with Jesus Christ. He is the essential medium and source of this divine kindness.

Ephesians 2 7 Bonus section

• The passive form implied by the hina (so that) clause for He might show highlights God's sovereign initiative. He is the active agent in this grand eternal display.
• This verse provides a profound counter-argument to any notion of earning salvation or merits with God. The sheer "surpassing riches of His grace" emphasized here leaves no room for human contribution in obtaining redemption. It is God's initiative from beginning to end.
• The placement of this verse, after describing humanity's utterly lost state and God's powerful rescue, magnifies the glory of God. The greater the prior death and spiritual bankruptcy, the more resplendent God's "kindness" and "grace" appear.
• The "coming ages" imply a progression of divine revelation. Just as God revealed more of Himself through different covenants or dispensations, it suggests that even in eternity, the redeemed will continually discover new depths of God's grace and kindness displayed through what He has done for His people in Christ. It's an everlasting testament to His unchanging love.
• The "riches of His grace" are displayed in or through His saints, indicating that our redeemed lives become a perpetual monument or beacon to His character for heavenly beings and potentially for new creation as well. We are the objects and the medium of this eternal showing.

Ephesians 2 7 Commentary

Ephesians 2:7 presents the sublime and eternal purpose for which God lavished His rich grace upon fallen humanity: to exhibit His glorious character for all of eternity. Following the profound declaration that believers, though once dead in sin, have been raised and seated with Christ by grace (vv. 4-6), this verse clarifies why. It is not merely for our personal salvation, immense as that is, but for the universal and perpetual demonstration of God's infinite benevolence and unmerited favor.

The phrase "in the coming ages" suggests that this display will be ongoing, an everlasting revelation of divine goodness that continues to unfold. God uses His redeemed people, once hopelessly lost, as a living testimony to His incomprehensible "surpassing riches of His grace," revealed through "kindness." This demonstrates His very nature—a God whose goodness extends infinitely beyond all human expectation or deserving. Crucially, all this astounding work and eternal display are "in Christ Jesus," underscoring that union with Him is the exclusive channel and guarantee of such magnificent blessings and purposes. Our salvation, therefore, is not an end in itself, but a means for God to eternally glorify Himself by showcasing the boundless depth of His loving-kindness through those He has saved.

Practical Examples:

• Doubt: When believers doubt their worth or security, this verse assures them that their existence itself is part of God's eternal design to showcase His grace; they are priceless exhibits of His kindness.
• Witness: It encourages believers to live lives that visibly demonstrate the transformative power and goodness of God, serving as living testimonies to "the surpassing riches of His grace."
• Worship: It deepens worship by revealing that God's plan is not confined to the earthly temporal realm but has cosmic, eternal implications centered on His glory.