Abounding Grace

Ephesians 1:8

We continue on in our study of Ephesians and come to verse eight. This verse says, “which He made to abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence.” This is still a part of the same sentence and thought as verse seven which we looked at last week, so we can go back to verse seven to figure out what it is that He made abound.

It is clear that Paul is referring to God’s grace. I don’t believe there is any argument against that. So let’s read the sentence again while inputting grace into the verse. He made grace abound towards us in all wisdom and prudence. Grace cannot be earned for then it is not grace at all. Therefore He had to give it and He did, bountifully.

The Greek word for abound in this verse is περισσεύω (perisseuo) and gives the idea of overflowing. It is like when you put a cup under a running tap and once the water gets to the top it starts flowing out of the top. It can no longer contain the water. That is how much grace God gives us. We are so full of His grace, yet he continues to give more, and more, and more, with no signs of ever slowing down. His act of grace on the cross was the greatest act of grace ever, but it was not a one time thing. His grace continues to abound.

There are two ways that this verse tells us that God gives us this abounding grace: wisdom and prudence. The Greek words for these are σοφία (sophia) and φρόνησις (phronesis) respectively and both words indicate action. Sophia, or wisdom, is an outward, physical action whereas phronesis, or prudence, is an inward, mental action. The verse itself makes it clear that God made the grace abound. This was a clear choice from God. He chose to let His Son die on the cross, and He did it so that His grace would abound.

I believe this is what God wants to make clear to us in this passage. His choice was to send His Son to die for us because He was choosing to give us bountiful, abundant grace! He understood what needed to be done and He, in His perfect wisdom, put it into action.

It is hard to understand why He would choose to give us this grace, but that is exactly what His Word says. As we saw in verse four, He chose us. A sinful, wicked, unworthy people. He chose to give us abounding grace, even though it meant He had to send His Son to die for our sins. Jesus chose to go, despite the horror of what He knew He would have to face, because He wants to see us saved. We have been gifted abounding, unmerited grace!

I hope it is becoming clear to you, as it has been to me, that we are an unworthy people and that God is a good God. It is common for people, believers and unbelievers alike, to view God as restrictive or like an overbearing parent, looking over your shoulder judgingly. It is clear in these verses that He is full of grace, choosing us, choosing to give us bountiful grace, and all the while knowing that we could never earn it. He is such a loving and generous God, and He wants to give us the best life we could ever imagine. Let us serve the God we don’t deserve!

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