Ephesians 2 · Verse 7

Ephesians 2:7

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, King James Version

Ephesians 2:7 in other translations

BSBin order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
WEBthat in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;
ASVthat in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:
YLTthat He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,
DARBYthat he might display in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.
BBEThat in the time to come he might make clear the full wealth of his grace in his mercy to us in Christ Jesus:
WebsterThat in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.

What does Ephesians 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. Greek, "That He might show forth (middle reflexive voice; for His own glory, Ep 1:6, 12, 14) in the ages which are coming on," that is, the blessed ages of the Gospel which supersede "the age (Greek, for 'course') of this world" (Ep 2:2), and the past "ages" from which the mystery was hidden (Col 1:26, 27). These good ages, though beginning with the first preaching of the Gospel, and thenceforth continually succeeding one another, are not consummated till the Lord's coming again (compare Ep 1:21; He 6:5). The words, "coming on," do not exclude the time then present, but imply simply the ages following upon Christ's "raising them up together" spiritually (Ep 2:6). kindness--"benignity." through Christ--rather, as Greek, "in Christ"; the same expression as is so often repeated, to mark that all our blessings center "IN Him."

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. That in the ages to come. In all future times. The sense is, that the riches of Divine grace, and the Divine benignity, would be shown in the conversion of Christians and their salvation to all future times. Such was his love to those who were lost, that it would be an everlasting monument of his mercy, a perpetual and unchanging proof that he was good. The sense is, we are raised up with Christ, and are made to partake of his honour and glory, in order that others may for ever be impressed with a sense of the Divine goodness and mercy to us.

The exceeding riches of his grace. The abounding, overflowing riches of grace. Eph 1:7. This is Paul's favourite expression--an expression so beautiful and so full of meaning that it will bear often to be repeated. We may learn from this verse,

(1.) that one object of the conversion and salvation of sinners is to furnish a proof of the mercy and goodness of God.

(2.) Another object is, that their conversion may be an encouragement to others. The fact, that such sinners as the Ephesians had been, were pardoned and saved, affords encouragement also to others to come and lay hold on life. And so of all other sinners who are saved. Their conversion is a standing encouragement to all others to come in like manner; and now the history of the church for more than eighteen hundred years furnishes all the encouragement which we could desire.

(3.) The conversion of great sinners is a special proof of the Divine benignity. So Paul argues in the case before us; and so he often argued from his own case. 1Timm 1:16.

(4.) Heaven, the home of the redeemed, will exhibit the most impressive proof of the goodness of God that the universe furnishes. There will be a countless host who were once polluted and lost; who were dead in sins; who were under the power of Satan, and who have been saved by the riches of Divine grace--a host now happy and pure, and free from sin, sorrow, and death--the living and eternal monuments of the grace of God.

(d) "kindness" Tit 3:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 That in the ages to come - God has produced us an example, and one which shall be on record through all generations, that he quickens dead souls; that he forgives the sins of the most sinful, when they repent and believe in Christ Jesus. So that what God has done for the sinners at Ephesus will serve as an encouragement to all ages of the world; and on this evidence every preacher of the Gospel may boldly proclaim that Christ saves unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him. And thus the exceeding riches of his grace will appear in the provision he has made for the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. This observation of the apostle is of great use and importance; because we are authorized to state, in all the successive ages of the world, that he who saved the sinners at Ephesus is ever ready to save all who, like them, repent of their sins, and believe in Christ Jesus.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 2:1-10

Sin is the death of the soul. A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures. When we look upon a corpse, it gives an awful feeling. A never-dying spirit is now fled, and has left nothing but the ruins of a man. But if we viewed things aright, we should be far more affected by the thought of a dead soul, a lost, fallen spirit. A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 2:1-10 →

Ephesians 2:7 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.

ἵναinain order thatG2443
ἐνδείξηταιendeixētaiHe may showG1731
ἐνeninG1722
τοῖςtoistheG3588
αἰῶσινaiōsinagesG165
τοῖςtoisthatG3588
ἐπερχομένοιςeperchomenois[are] comingG1904
τὸtotheG3588
ὑπερβάλλονhuperballonsurpassingG5235
πλοῦτοςploutosrichesG4149
τῆςtēsof theG3588
χάριτοςcharitosgraceG5485
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
ἐνeninG1722
χρηστότητιchrēstotētikindnessG5544
ἐφ᾽eph᾽towardG1909
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
Ἰησοῦ.¶IēsouJesus.G2424

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

Cross references for Ephesians 2:7

  • 1 Timothy 1:16-17

    Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  • Titus 3:4

    But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:12

    That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Ephesians 2:4

    But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Isaiah 60:15

    Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

  • Revelation 5:9-14

    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; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 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 3:5

    Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

  • Psalms 106:48

    Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

  • Ephesians 3:21

    Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

  • Psalms 41:13

    Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in the.
3:5,21; Ps 41:13; 106:48; Isa 60:15; 1Ti 1:17
shew.
4; 2Th 1:12; 1Ti 1:16; 1Pe 1:12; Re 5:9-14
in his.
Tit 3:4

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

Context

  • Ephesians 2:6

    And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

  • Ephesians 2:7

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

  • Ephesians 2:8

    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Read all of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Para mostrar en los siglos venideros las abundantes riquezas de su gracia en su bondad para con nosotros en Cristo Jesús.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		afin qu’il montre dans les siècles à venir les immenses richesses de sa grâce, dans sa bonté envers nous dans le christ Jésus.
German
Elberfelder 1871		auf daß er in den kommenden Zeitaltern den überschwenglichen Reichtum seiner Gnade in Güte gegen uns erwiese in Christo Jesu.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		ut ostenderet in sæculis supervenientibus abundantes divitias gratiæ suæ, in bonitate super nos in Christo Jesu.