Ephesians 1 · Verse 8

Ephesians 1:8

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Ephesians 1:8, King James Version

Ephesians 1:8 in other translations

BSBthat He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
WEBwhich he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
ASVwhich he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
YLTin which He did abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
DARBYwhich he has caused to abound towards us in all wisdom and intelligence,
BBEWhich he gave us in full measure in all wisdom and care;
WebsterIn which he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence;

What does Ephesians 1:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. Rather, "which He made to abound towards us." all wisdom and prudence--"wisdom" in devising the plan of redeeming mankind; "prudence" in executing it by the means, and in making all the necessary arrangements of Providence for that purpose. Paul attributes to the Gospel of God's grace "all" possible "wisdom and prudence," in opposition to the boasts of wisdom and prudence which the unbelieving Jews and heathen philosophers and false apostles arrogated for their teachings. Christ crucified, though esteemed "foolishness" by the world, is "the wisdom of God" (1Co 1:18-30). Compare Ep 3:10, "the manifold wisdom of God."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. Wherein he hath abounded. Which he has liberally manifested to us. This grace has not been stinted and confined, but has been liberal and abundant.

In all wisdom. That is, he has evinced great wisdom in the plan of salvation; wisdom in so saving men as to secure the honour of his own law, and in devising a scheme that was eminently adapted to save men. 1Cor 1:24.

And prudence. The word here used (φρονησις) means understanding, thinking, prudence. The meaning here is, that so to speak, God had evinced great intelligence in the plan of salvation. There was ample proof of mind and of thought, it was adapted to the end in view. It was far-seeing; skilfully arranged; and carefully formed. The sense of the whole is, that there was a wise design running through the whole plan, and abounding in it in an eminent degree.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 Wherein he hath abounded - That is, in the dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus. In all wisdom and prudence - Giving us apostles the most complete instructions in heavenly things by the inspiration of his Spirit; and at the same time prudence, that we might know when and where to preach the Gospel so that it might be effectual to the salvation of those who heard it. Nothing less than the Spirit of God could teach the apostles that wisdom by which they were to instruct a dark and sinful world; and nothing less than the same Spirit could inspire them with that prudence which was necessary to be exercised in every step of their life and ministry. Every wise man is not a prudent man, and every prudent man is not a wise man. Wisdom and prudence may be expected in an apostle who is constantly living under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. "Wisdom," according to Sir William Temple, "is that which makes men judge what are the best ends, and what the best means to attain them; and gives a man advantage of counsel and direction." "Prudence is wisdom applied to practice; or that discreet, apt suiting as well of actions as words, in their due place, time, and manner. Every minister of Christ needs these still; and if he abide not under the influence of both, not only his prayers but his ministerial labors will be all hindered.

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 1:8 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.

ἧςhēswhichG3739
ἐπερίσσευσενeperisseusenHe lavishedG4052
εἰςeisuponG1519
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
ἐνeninG1722
πάσῃpasēallG3956
σοφίᾳsophiawisdomG4678
καὶkaiandG2532
φρονήσειphronēseiin understandingG5428

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

Cross references for Ephesians 1:8

  • Revelation 5:12

    Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

  • Ephesians 3:10

    To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • Romans 5:15

    But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

  • Colossians 2:3

    In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

  • Psalms 104:24

    O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

  • Proverbs 8:12

    I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

  • Daniel 2:20-21

    Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:19-24

    For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: …

  • 1 Corinthians 2:7

    But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

  • Romans 11:33

    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Romans 5:20-21

    Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he.
Ro 5:15,20,21
in.
11; 3:10; Ps 104:24; Pr 8:12; Isa 52:13; Da 2:20,21; Mt 11:19
Ro 11:33; 1Co 1:19-24; 2:7; Col 2:3; Jude 1:25; Re 5:12

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

Context

  • 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;

  • Ephesians 1:9

    Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Read all of Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Que sobreabundó en nosotros en toda sabiduría é inteligencia;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
laquelle il a fait abonder envers nous en toute sagesse et intelligence,
German
Elberfelder 1871
welche er gegen uns hat überströmen lassen in aller Weisheit und Einsicht,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
quæ superabundavit in nobis in omni sapientia et prudentia: