Glory

Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

God’s glory-grace given.

Paul repeats the phrase “to the praise of the glory” or “to the praise of His glory” three times in Ephesians 1. Then continues two more times referring to God’s glory. Five references to glory in one chapter.

Whose glory? God’s.

Kept to Himself? No.

In verse 6, grace bestowed on the writer and recipients of the letter. More specifically, in verse 2, “the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.” In chapter 2, expanded to Gentiles in the flesh. Formerly aliens and strangers to the people of God, the commonwealth of Israel, the Circumcision. Uncircumcised. Adopted as saints. Accepted into the household of God.

Not because it was earned or deserved. Just the opposite. Glory-grace lavished because of His kind intention. Read it yourself in chapter 1, verse 8. Lavished. Not just tossed toward low-life scoundrels. Not just haphazardly mentioned in passing casual conversation but gifted in the most extraordinary package there ever was.

Glory-grace.

God’s glory.

Freely given according to the riches of His grace.

Redemption.

Forgiveness.

In the flesh, the body can’t obtain redemption on its own. Forgiveness is not known outside the glory-grace. The riches are not owned without the inheritance gifted by the Owner. Lavished by the Owner.

God’s glory through redemption, forgiveness of trespasses, riches bestowed on undeserving Gentiles.