Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:7

What does Ephesians 2:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:7 means

God’s aim in granting life, resurrection, and exaltation with Christ is to display, forever, the overwhelming riches of his grace. Salvation is not a bare rescue; it is a theater for God’s kindness in Christ Jesus, stretching into “the ages to come.” Believers themselves become living exhibits of divine generosity. The focus remains on God’s character—his grace is “exceeding,” outstripping all human measure. This future-oriented purpose gives confidence: the God who saved intends to keep showcasing his kindness, so our hope does not rest on our constancy but on his. Eternity will be a continual unfolding of the kindness we have already tasted in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

That in the time to come he might make clear the full wealth of his grace in his mercy to us in Christ Jesus:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that he might display in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

Context

Verse 7 explains the purpose behind the blessings of verses 5–6: God will display his grace endlessly in Christ. With the goal stated, verses 8–9 summarize the means and ground of salvation—grace through faith, not works. Then verse 10 clarifies the proper place of good works as the result, not the cause, of salvation. The logic moves from God’s action and purpose to the believer’s reception and subsequent walk.

v.6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

v.7This passage

v.8for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Titus 3:4

    But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,

  • 1 Timothy 1:16

    howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.

  • Ephesians 2:4

    but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Psalms 41:13

    Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

  • Ephesians 3:5

    which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

  • Ephesians 3:21

    unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen.

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