Ephesians 1:7-10

Ephesians 1:7-10

In whom we have the redemption through His blood – the forgiveness of the transgressions – according to the great abundance of His grace, which He provides in abundance into us in all wisdom and understanding after making known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure that He intended in Him into the set arrangements of the fullness of time to bring together all things in Christ: things upon heaven and things upon the earth are in Him.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we have a passage that is very much a run-on sentence.  In fact, in the Greek verses 7-10 are indeed all one sentence as you see them here.  Keep in mind all that I said yesterday about this writing style and what it really means.

That being said, notice again the abundance of Paul’s focus on the preeminence of Christ.  Redemption is through His blood.  Grace ultimately comes through Christ through God’s wisdom and understanding and His plan.  Everything in heaven and on earth are based upon Him.  Jesus Christ is the core and the rock of everything.

How does Paul’s emphasis on Christ continue to reinforce the role that He should have in everything?  Does Christ play the preeminence in your life as much as He does in this letter?

Second Thought:

In verse 7, Paul begins his list of benefits with the word deliverance.  This word in the Greek comes from the verb lutron (λύτρον).  This verb means “to ransom.”  It is a word that expresses a freedom that is bought by another.  It is a verb used to describe people who are freed from a captivity that they are helpless to escape on their own.  This is what Christ has done for us.  Through His efforts we can escape a captivity in which we have no ability to escape ourselves.

What does it mean for you to have access to a salvation that you do not deserve?  Why is it important to remember that Christ – and thus God – has really done all the work?

Third Thought:

In this passage we also have a distinct impression of abundance.  God’s grace is abundant.  His wisdom and understanding is abundant.  Christ came in the fullness of God’s plan and timing.  God is truly in control.  He is truly the master of the world.  He has no limits.  He desires us to know the limitlessness of His nature.

How do you feel knowing that you worship a God of abundance?  How have you seen abundance in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 1:11-14