Ephesians 2:4

Ephesians 2:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
• English Standard Version (ESV)But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
• New Living Translation (NLT)But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,

Context of Ephesians 2:4

2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:4 word by word

Ὁ δὲ θεὸς πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• who isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• richπλούσιοςplousios · richG4145
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• mercyἔλεοςeleos · mercyG1656
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• greatπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• wherewithὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he lovedἀγαπάωagapaō · to loveG25
• usἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for Ephesians 2:4

• Ephesians 2:7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
• Ephesians 1:7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace
• Ephesians 3:8Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,
• Exodus 33:19And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
• Exodus 34:6And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
• Nehemiah 9:17They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
• Psalms 51:1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
• Psalms 86:5You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
• Psalms 103:8The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
• Psalms 145:8The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
• Isaiah 55:6Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
• Daniel 9:9The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;
• Jonah 4:2He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.
• Micah 7:18Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
• Luke 1:78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
• Romans 2:4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Commentaries on Ephesians 2:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4But God, who is rich in mercy - As they were corrupt in their nature, and sinful in their practice, they could possess no merit, nor have any claim upon God; and it required much mercy to remove so much misery, and to pardon such transgressions. His great love - God's infinite love is the groundwork of our salvation; in reference to us that love assumes the form of mercy, and that mercy provides the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore the apostle…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4But God, who is rich in mercy - On the use of the word “rich” by Paul, see the notes at Ephesians 1:7. It is a beautiful expression. “God is rich‘ in mercy;” overflowing, abundant. Mercy is the riches or the wealth of God. People are often rich in gold, and silver, and diamonds, and they pride themselves in these possessions; but God is “rich in mercy.” In that he abounds and he is so rich in it that he is wilting to impart it to others; so rich that he…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-10By God's mercy, kindness, and love, those united with Jesus Christ are saved from the terrible consequences of their sin and enjoy the benefits of Christ's resurrection.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. God, who is rich--Greek "(as) being rich in mercy." for--that is, "because of His great love." This was the special ground of God's saving us; as "rich in mercy" (compare Ep 2:7; Ep 1:7; Ro 2:4; 10:12) was the general ground. "Mercy takes away misery; love confers salvation" [Bengel].Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 2:4

• Atonement
• God Continued...
• Righteous
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Afar
• Alien
• Create
• Cross
• Desire
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Nigh
• Prince

Commentaries on Ephesians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings