Ephesians 1:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

NIV: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

NASB: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace

CSB: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

NLT: He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

KJV: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

NKJV: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

This verse transitions to payment Jesus made for us "through his blood." Paul is referring to Christ's death on the cross as the sufficient payment for the sins of all who believe. What did this redemption cover? It paid to release us from the eternal penalty and the earthly power of our own sins. This freedom was not "free," since it is paid for by Christ's death; it cost Him everything. As a result, for the believer, the ultimate price has already been paid. This is grace: the ability to become a child of God, because God provided a free way to know Him by faith.

God's grace is mentioned in reference to money with the idea being that grace is of tremendous value. Grace is what is required to make people sons and daughters of God. All have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). It is only through Jesus that we have a way (John 14:6) to have salvation (Acts 4:12). Paul will explain this truth in greater detail in Ephesians 2:8–9, adding that the same grace of God, which gives salvation, is designed to also lead believers to works God has designed for us (Ephesians 2:10).

Ephesians 1:3–14 praises God for the blessings He has provided. Paul ties together the ideas of predestination, God's glory, the salvation of His people, and the rights we have as children of God. In particular, believers are blessed because God chose, before creation, to save us. That salvation came at a great cost: the death of Jesus Christ. As children of God, we can be confident that God will give us what He has promised: namely, an eternity with Him in heaven.

The first chapter of Ephesians contains two main passages. The first describes the blessings Christians have been given as a result of our salvation through Christ. Paul explains these through praises directed to God the Father. The second section both commends the Ephesians for their reputation, and prays that Christ would bring them into an even fuller and more aware faith.

The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal, while the last three are practical. Chapter 1 establishes Paul's view on the value of our salvation in Christ, and the blessings we obtain from it. He does this in the form of praise, directed at God, and describing in detail what it means to have an inheritance in heaven. Later chapters will build on these ideas as Paul connects who we are in Christ to how we should live as Christians.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.