to the praise of the glory [more stacked phrases one on top of the other which need unpacking]
of His Grace [the final phrase here is the focus of the series that went before it]
which He graced to us [a relative clause referring back to the grace just mentioned; note the verbal use of “grace”]
in the Beloved [all of this activity of grace and gracing was in the Beloved Son, what does that mean exactly?]
Ephesians 1:6
The element “graced grace” is handled in various ways in the translations.
- which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:
- which he freely gave to us in the Loved One:
- God was very kind to us
- with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
- wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
- in which He favoured us in the One having been loved,
- He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving.
- that the glory of his grace might be glorified, which he poured upon us by his Beloved One;
- So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.
It is a very Hebraic way of saying it:- to use the verb and the noun of the same root in the same construction. To be graced with grace, to be favoured with favour, gifted with gifts. It is a way of intensifying the action by combining the verb and associated noun together in the same construction. It is interesting that in Murdock’s translation he uses this form with the sense of glory – namely to be glorified with the glory of His grace. Note what has happened with the many of the translations highlighted above. There is an intensification of the concept. It not only adds to the intensity surrounding this event but also the poetry of the moment. We have been showered with lavish gift-giving as Peterson puts it in the Message. Let’s enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving. Amen.
There is an added dimension of all these spiritual blessings God has showered on us. Paul is looking for ways to expand the Ephesians consciousness of all that God has done. We have indeed been graced with grace. Favoured with favour and gifted with gifts.
All this takes place “in the Beloved”. It is clear what is meant. In Christ. In Him. In the Beloved Son. There is much discussion and debate over this element but I will not go there. It is clear and we don’t need to spend any more time on it.
God does not feel more God-like because we met and worshiped Him yesterday, but we should!
Louie Giglio
When Christ is great, our fears are not. As awe of Jesus expands, fears of life diminish.
Max Lucado
When asked if my cup is half full or half empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.
Sam Lefkowitz