The Meaning of Ephesians 2:4 Explained

Ephesians 2:4

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

YLT: and God, being rich in kindness, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Darby: but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love wherewith he loved us,

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Ephesians 2:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul introduced the contrast between the condition of the unbeliever and that of the believer with "But." God, the subject of this passage ( Ephesians 2:1-7), makes all the difference. "Mercy" (Gr. eleos, the word the Septuagint translators used to render the Hebrew hesed, loyal love) means undeserved kindness. God"s great love (Gr. agape) sought the highest good in the objects of His choice even though we were rebellious sinners.

Context Summary

Ephesians 2:1-10 - What Grace Has Done
Evidently dead men may walk; that is, they may be dead to the eternal world but alive to this world, which is moving past like the films of a moving picture. The death of the spirit is compatible with much active interest in the course of this world. Behind the shifting scenes of the material is the great enemy of souls. As the Spirit of God works in the obedient, so does the evil spirit work in the disobedient. Note this trinity of evil-the course of this world, the lusts of our flesh, and the prince of the power of the air. If we desire to save men, we must be in living union with the all-conquering Spirit of Christ.
Notice, also, the past tense which describes the finality of Christ's work, Ephesians 2:5-6. In the purpose of God we have been raised from the grave of sin and are seated with the risen Lord in the place of acceptance and victory. We were one with Christ when He lay in the grave and arose. In God's thought we have already taken our seat with the glorified Christ upon the throne; only the pity is that we do not believe this or act as if we had done so. All this is the gift of God's unmerited love. By grace have we been brought into this position, and by grace are we maintained in it. We are of God's "making;" such is the Greek word for workmanship, Ephesians 2:10. We have been created for good works; they have been planned for us and we have only to walk in them. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 2

1  By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,
10  he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ,
19  should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 2:4

But God [ο δε τεος]
Change in the structure of the sentence here, resuming Ephesians 2:1 after the break. [source]
Being rich in mercy [πλουσιος ων εν ελεει]
More than ελεημων — eleēmōn (being merciful). Wherewith (ην — hēn). Cognate accusative with ηγαπησεν — ēgapēsen (loved). [source]
Wherewith [ην]
Cognate accusative with ηγαπησεν — ēgapēsen (loved). [source]
But God []
Resuming Ephesians 2:1. [source]
For His great love [διά]
For the sake of, in order to satisfy His love. [source]
Quickened us together []
Spiritually. Compare Colossians 2:13; Romans 6:11-14; Romans 8:10, Romans 8:11“What God wrought in Christ He wrought, ipso facto, in all who are united with Him” (Ellicott). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 2:4

John 13:1 Unto the end [εἰς τέλος]
Interpretations differ. The rendering of the A.V. and Rev. is of doubtful authority. The passages cited in support of this, Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13, may all be rendered to the uttermost. Morever, other formulas are used where the meaning to the end is unquestionable. In Revelation 2:26, the only other instance in John's writings where τέλος is used in an adverbial phrase the expression is ἄχρι τέλους , unto the end. Similarly Hebrews 6:11. In Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 3:14, μέχρι τὲλους , unto the end. The phrase may mean at last, and so is rendered by many here, as Meyer, Lange, Thayer (Lex.). “At last He loved them;” that is, showed them the last proof of His love. This is the most probable rendering in Luke 18:5, on which see note. It may also mean to the uttermost, completely. So Westcott and Godet. But I am inclined, with Meyer, to shrink from the “inappropriate gradation” which is thus implied, as though Jesus' love now reached a higher degree than before ( ἀγαπήσας ). Hence I prefer the rendering at last, or finally He loved them, taking ἠγάπησεν , loved, in the sense of the manifestation of His love. This sense frequently attaches to the verb. See, for instance, 1 John 4:10(“love viewed in its historic manifestation” Westcott), and compare John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Ephesians 5:2, Ephesians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Revelation 3:9. [source]
John 3:16 For so [ουτως γαρ]
This use of γαρ — gar is quite in John‘s style in introducing his comments (John 2:25; John 3:16-214; John 5:13, etc.). This “Little Gospel” as it is often called, this “comfortable word” (the Anglican Liturgy), while not a quotation from Jesus is a just and marvellous interpretation of the mission and message of our Lord. In 1714205357_85 John recapitulates in summary fashion the teaching of Jesus to Nicodemus. Loved First aorist active indicative of αγαπαω — agapaō the noble word so common in the Gospels for the highest form of love, used here as often in John (John 14:23; John 17:23; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:10) of God‘s love for man (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4). In John 21:15 John presents a distinction between αγαπαω — agapaō and πιλεω — phileō Αγαπαω — Agapaō is used also for love of men for men (John 13:34), for Jesus (John 8:42), for God (1 John 4:10). The world The whole cosmos of men, including Gentiles, the whole human race. This universal aspect of God‘s love appears also in 2 Corinthians 5:19; Romans 5:8. That he gave The usual classical construction with ωστε — hōste and the indicative (first aorist active) practical result, the only example in the N.T. save that in Galatians 2:13. Elsewhere ωστε — hōste with the infinitive occurs for actual result (Matthew 13:32) as well as purpose (Matthew 10:1), though even this is rare. His only begotten Son “The Son the only begotten.” For this word see note on John 1:14, note on John 1:18; and John 3:18. The rest of the sentence, the purpose clause with ιναεχηι — hina -εις αυτον — echēi precisely reproduces the close of John 3:15 save that εν αυτωι — eis auton takes the place of πιστευων — en autōi (see John 1:12) and goes certainly with εχηι — pisteuōn (not with εν αυτωι — echēi as μη αποληται αλλα — en autōi in John 3:15) and the added clause “should not perish but” The same contrast between “perish” and “eternal life” (for this world and the next) appears also in John 10:28. On “perish” see also John 17:12. [source]
Romans 2:4 Riches [πλούτου]
A favorite word with Paul to describe the quality of the divine attributes and gifts. See 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16; Philemon 4:19; Colossians 1:27. [source]
Ephesians 2:1 And you []
Taking up the closing thought of the preceding chapter, the magnitude of God's power toward believers as exhibited in Christ's resurrection. He now shows that the same power is applied to his readers. Hence the connection is: “When He raised Him from the dead, etc., and you did He quicken, even as He quickened Christ.” The structure of the passage is broken. Paul having prominently in mind the thought God quickened you as He did Christ, begins with you also. Then the connection is interrupted by Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:3, which describe their previous condition. Then Ephesians 2:1is taken up in Ephesians 2:4, by but God, God introducing a new sentence. [source]
Colossians 3:1 Sitteth [ἐστιν καθήμενος]
According to the A.V. the literal rendering would be is sitting. Is, however, must be taken separately; where Christ is, seated. Seated is a secondary predicate, as hidden in Colossians 2:3. Compare Ephesians 2:4-6; Revelation 3:21. [source]
1 Timothy 6:17 Them that are rich in this world [τοῖς πλουσίοις ἐν τῷ νῦν αἰῶνι]
Forming one conception. Chrysostom says:; “Rich in this world, for others are rich in the world to come.” Comp. Luke 16:25. Πλουσίος richby Paul only metaphorically. See 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 2:4. The phrase ὁ νῦν αἰών thenow age, only here and Titus 2:12, the usual expression being ὁ αἰὼν οὗτος thisage or world, which is not found in Pastorals. [source]
Titus 3:5 According to his mercy [κατὰ τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔλεος]
The phrase only 1 Peter 1:3. Comp. Romans 15:9; Ephesians 2:4; Judges 1:21. [source]
Titus 3:5 According to his mercy he saved us [κατα το αυτου ελεος εσωσεν]
See Psalm 109:26; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4. Effective aorist active indicative of σωζω — sōzō Through the washing of regeneration (δια λουτρου παλινγενεσιας — dia loutrou palingenesias). Late and common word with the Stoics (Dibelius) and in the Mystery-religions (Angus), also in the papyri and Philo. Only twice in the N.T. (Matthew 19:28 with which compare αποκαταστασια — apokatastasia in Acts 3:21, and here in personal sense of new birth). For λουτρον — loutron see note on Ephesians 5:26, here as there the laver or the bath. Probably in both cases there is a reference to baptism, but, as in Romans 6:3-6, the immersion is the picture or the symbol of the new birth, not the means of securing it. And renewing of the Holy Spirit “And renewal by the Holy Spirit” (subjective genitive). For the late word ανακαινωσις — anakainōsis see note on Romans 12:2. Here, as often, Paul has put the objective symbol before the reality. The Holy Spirit does the renewing, man submits to the baptism after the new birth to picture it forth to men. [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 2:4 mean?

- But God rich being in mercy because of the great love of Him with which He loved us
δὲ Θεὸς πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
πλούσιος  rich 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πλούσιος  
Sense: wealthy, abounding in material resources.
ὢν  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ἐλέει  mercy 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ἔλεος  
Sense: mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.
διὰ  because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
πολλὴν  great 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ἀγάπην  love 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀγάπη  
Sense: brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἣν  with  which 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἠγάπησεν  He  loved 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
ἡμᾶς  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.