"and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:6-7 (NASB)
Verse 6 of Ephesians 2 introduces the idea of believers being “raised up with Him,” underscoring that through their faith in Christ, they have already experienced resurrection. This profound truth is intricately linked to believers’ baptism and the redemptive significance of being united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Furthermore, believers share in Christ’s suffering and are destined to partake in His glory.
Notably, this passage emphasizes the significant role of all three persons of the Godhead in the Redemptive Agenda. It explains how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are very involved in the redemption of believers, leading to them reigning together with Christ. The Trinitarian emphasis in Colossians 2:9-10 further reinforces the integral role of the Godhead in the believers’ redemption.
The phrase “in the ages to come” in verse 7 is very meaningful for believers. It shows the difference between the current age, which has been affected by the fall, and the future righteous age brought by the Messiah. The use of the plural form “ages”, known as the “plural of majesty,” is used to accentuate and magnify the coming age, a concept deeply rooted in rabbinical tradition. This symbolic usage can be observed in passages referring to past “ages” such as those found in Romans 16:25, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Titus 1:2. Some propose that it is simply imagery representing eternity, drawing parallels to its usage in secular Koine Greek and in several instances in the New Testament (Luke 1:33, 55; John 12:34; Romans 9:5; Galatians 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:17).
The phrase “riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” shows how much God loves people through Christ. It means that God’s love comes from His endless mercy. By showing “the exceeding riches of his grace,” it highlights His unlimited kindness towards us. This emphasizes that God’s love is not only given to us freely but is also very generous. It’s important to note that the mention of the name of Christ indicates that all grace and love from God comes through Him.
In simple terms, the phrase “riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” shows how much God loves and cares for us. It reminds us that God’s love is given freely and is never-ending, plentiful, and closely linked to Christ. As people who receive this incredible grace, we are asked to accept, represent, and share this limitless love with others. This helps to continue God’s never-ending grace in Christ Jesus.
Here we see Paul’s deep insight about sharing the good news of God’s grace. He didn’t see it as a message that would change over time, but as a lasting truth that would continue until the end of the age. He strongly believed that this message would last not only after Jesus’ first coming, but also after His second coming. The core of the message will never change. Even when all the believers are gathered, they will enthusiastically praise God’s amazing love in Jesus. They will be in heaven, telling the angels and other heavenly beings about the greatness of the Lord’s actions. Hallelujah!
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