Ephesians 1 · Verse 7

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:7, King James Version

Ephesians 1:7 in other translations

BSBIn Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
WEBIn him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
ASVin whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
YLTin whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of the trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,
DARBYin whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of offences, according to the riches of his grace;
BBEIn whom we have salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, through the wealth of his grace,
WebsterIn whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

What does Ephesians 1:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. In whom--"the Beloved" (Ep 1:6; Ro 3:24). we have--as a present possession. redemption--Greek, "our (literally, 'the') redemption"; THE redemption which is the grand subject of all revelation, and especially of the New Testament (Ro 3:24), namely, from the power, guilt, and penal consequences of sin (Mt 1:21). If a man were unable to redeem himself from being a bond-servant, his kinsman might redeem him (Le 25:48). Hence, antitypically the Son of God became the Son of man, that as our kinsman He might redeem us (Mt 20:28). Another "redemption" follows, namely, that "of the purchased possession" hereafter (Ep 1:14). through his blood--(Ep 2:13); as the instrument; the propitiation, that is, the consideration (devised by His own love) for which He, who was justly angry (Is 12:1), becomes propitious to us; the expiation, the price paid to divine justice for our sin (Ac 20:28; Ro 3:25; 1Co 6:20; Col 1:20; 1Pe 1:18, 19). the forgiveness of sins--Greek, "the remission of our transgressions": not merely "pretermission," as the Greek (Ro 3:25) ought to be translated. This "remission," being the explanation of "redemption," includes not only deliverance from sin's penalty, but from its pollution and enslaving power, negatively; and the reconciliation of an offended God, and a satisfaction unto a just God, positively. riches of his grace--(Ep 2:7); "the exceeding riches of His grace." Compare Ep 1:18; Ep 3:16, "according to the riches of His glory": so that "grace" is His "glory."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. In whom we have redemption. On the meaning of the word here rendered redemption-- (απολυτρωσις) -- Rom 3:24. The word here, as there, denotes that deliverance from sin, and from the evil consequences of sin, which has been procured by the atonement made by the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse is one of the passages which prove conclusively that the apostle here does not refer to nations and to national privileges. Of what nation could it be said, that it had "redemption through the blood of Jesus, even the forgiveness of sins?"

Through his blood. By means of the atonement which he has made. See this phrase fully explained in the Rom 3:25.

The forgiveness of sins. We obtain through his blood, or through the atonement he has made, the forgiveness of sins. We are not to suppose that this is all the benefit which we receive from his death, or that this is all that constitutes redemption. It is the main, and perhaps the most important thing. But we also obtain the hope of heaven, the influences of the Holy Spirit, grace to guide us and to support us in trial, peace in death, and perhaps many more benefits. Still forgiveness is so prominent and important, and the apostle has mentioned that as if it were all.

According to the riches of his grace. According to his rich grace. See a similar phrase explained Rom 2:4. The word riches, in the form in which it is used here, occurs also in several other places in this epistle, Eph 1:18, 2:7, 3:8,16. It is what Paley (Horae Paul) calls "a cant phrase," and occurs often in the writings of Paul. See Rom 2:4, 9:23, 11:12,33, Php 4:19, Col 1:27, 2:2. It is not found in any of the other writings of the New Testament, except once, in a sense somewhat similar, in James, (Jas 2:5,) "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith"? and Dr. Paley from this fact has constructed an argument to prove that this epistle was written by Paul. It is peculiar to him, and marks his style in a manner which cannot be mistaken. An impostor or a forger of the epistle would not have thought of introducing it, and yet it is just such a phrase as would naturally be used by Paul.

(c) "we have redemption" Heb 9:12, 1Pet 1:18,19.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 In whom we have redemption - God has glorified his grace by giving us redemption by the blood of his Son, and this redemption consists in forgiving and delivering us from our sins; so then Christ's blood was the redemption price paid down for our salvation: and this was according to the riches of his grace; as his grace is rich or abundant in benevolence, so it was manifested in beneficence to mankind, in their redemption by the sacrifice of Christ, the measure of redeeming grace being the measure of God's own eternal goodness. It may not be useless to remark that, instead of της χαριτος αυτου, his grace, the Codex Alexandrinus and the Coptic version have της χρηστοτητος, his goodness.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 1:3-8

Spiritual and heavenly blessings are the best blessings; with which we cannot be miserable, and without which we cannot but be so. This was from the choice of them in Christ, before the foundation of the world, that they should be made holy by separation from sin, being set apart to God, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, in consequence of their election in Christ. All who are chosen to happiness as the end, are…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 1:3-8 →

Ephesians 1:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐνeninG1722
ᾧhōwhomG3739
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ἀπολύτρωσινapolutrōsinredemptionG629
διὰdiathroughG1223
τοῦtoutheG3588
αἵματοςaimatosbloodG129
αὐτοῦ,autouof Him,G846
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἄφεσινaphesinforgivenessG859
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
παραπτωμάτων,paraptōmatōnof trespasses,G3900
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὸtotheG3588
πλοῦτοςploutosrichesG4149
τῆςtēsof theG3588
χάριτοςcharitosgraceG5485
αὐτοῦ,autouof Him,G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 1:7

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Romans 3:24

    Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

  • Colossians 1:14

    In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

  • 1 John 1:7-9

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • 1 Peter 1:18-19

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

  • Hebrews 9:22

    And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

  • Hebrews 9:12-15

    Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

  • Matthew 26:28

    For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

  • Hebrews 10:4-12

    For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. …

  • Philippians 4:19

    But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

  • 1 John 2:12

    I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
whom.
Job 33:24; Ps 130:7; Da 9:24-26; Zec 9:11; 13:1,7; Mt 20:28; 26:28
Mr 14:24; Ac 20:28; Ro 3:24; 1Co 1:30; Col 1:14; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14
Heb 9:12-15,22; 10:4-12; 1Pe 1:18,19; 2:24; 3:18; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10
Re 5:9; 14:4
the forgiveness.
Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1,2; 86:5; 130:4; Isa 43:25; 55:6,7; Jer 31:34
Da 9:9,19; Jon 4:2; Mic 7:18; Lu 1:77; 7:40-42,47-50; 24:47
Joh 20:23; Ac 2:38; 3:19; 10:43; 13:38,39; Ro 4:6-9; Col 2:13
Heb 10:17,18; 1Jo 1:7-9; 2:12
to.
6; 2:4,7; 3:8,16; Ro 2:4; 3:24; 9:23; 2Co 8:9; Php 4:19; Col 1:27; 2:2
Tit 3:6; *marg:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 1:6

    To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

  • Ephesians 1:7

    In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

  • Ephesians 1:8

    Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

Read all of Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		En el cual tenemos redención por su sangre, la remisión de pecados por las riquezas de su gracia,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		en qui nous avons la rédemption par son sang, la rémission des fautes selon les richesses de sa grâce:
German
Elberfelder 1871		in welchem wir die Erlösung haben durch sein Blut, die Vergebung der Vergehungen, nach dem Reichtum seiner Gnade,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		In quo habemus redemptionem per sanguinem ejus, remissionem peccatorum secundum divitias gratiæ ejus,