Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 2:4

"but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us," — Ephesians 2:4 (ASV)

But God, who is rich in mercy. On the use of the word rich by Paul, see Barnes on Ephesians 1:7.

It is a beautiful expression. "God is rich in mercy"; He is overflowing, abundant. Mercy is the riches or the wealth of God. Men are often rich in gold and silver, 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 willing to impart it to others; so rich that He can make all blessed.

For his great love. That is, His great love was the reason why He had compassion upon us. It is not that we had any claim or deserved His favor; rather, it is that God had an original and eternal love for man, and that love led to the gift of a Savior and to the bestowment of salvation.