Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 2:7

"that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:" — Ephesians 2:7 (ASV)

That in the ages to come. In all future times. The sense is that the riches of Divine grace and the Divine kindness would be shown in the conversion of Christians and their salvation throughout all future times. Such was his love to those who were lost, that it would be an everlasting monument of his mercy, a perpetual and unchanging proof that he was good. The sense is, we are raised up with Christ and are made to share in his honor and glory, in order that others may forever be impressed with a sense of the Divine goodness and mercy to us.

The exceeding riches of his grace. The abounding, overflowing riches of grace. (See the notes on Ephesians 1:7).

This is Paul's favorite expression—an expression so beautiful and so full of meaning that it bears repeating often. We may learn from this verse:

1. that one object of the conversion and salvation of sinners is to furnish a proof of the mercy and goodness of God.

2. Another object is that their conversion may be an encouragement to others. The fact that such sinners as the Ephesians had been were pardoned and saved also affords encouragement to others to come and take hold of life. The same applies to all other sinners who are saved. Their conversion is a standing encouragement to all others to come in the same way; and now the history of the church for more than eighteen hundred years provides all the encouragement that we could desire.

3. The conversion of great sinners is a special proof of the Divine kindness. So Paul argues in the case before us, and so he often argued from his own case. (See the notes on 1 Timothy 1:16).

4. Heaven, the home of the redeemed, will exhibit the most impressive proof of the goodness of God that the universe provides. There will be a countless host who were once polluted and lost; who were dead in sins; who were under the power of Satan, and who have been saved by the riches of Divine grace—a host now happy and pure, and free from sin, sorrow, and death—the living and eternal monuments of the grace of God.