Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 2:4

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

Over against humanity’s churlish rejection of God, Paul sets God’s gracious acceptance of human beings in Christ. Though he cannot approve of sin if he is to remain righteous, God is not hostile toward those he has created. He loves them and has made possible their reconciliation to himself. Had he decided to destroy his refractory children, he would have been entirely justified, and nothing could have averted the catastrophe (Hosea 13:9). Instead, love led to “mercy” (GK 1799)—God’s compassion for the helpless, issuing in action for their relief. There is an inexhaustible treasury of such mercy in the loving heart of God.