Ephesians 1:7

🕊️ Exegetical Commentary on Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” — Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

📖 Context within Ephesians Chapter 1

Ephesians chapter 1[i] is a sweeping declaration of God’s eternal plan of salvation. The Apostle Paul opens with praise for God’s spiritual blessings in Christ, highlighting themes of election, adoption, redemption, and inheritance. Verse 7 sits at the heart of this theological crescendo, revealing the means and the magnitude of our salvation.

🔍 Verse Breakdown and Teaching

1. “In Him” — Union with Christ

The phrase “In Him” refers to Jesus Christ and underscores the doctrine of union with Christ. All spiritual blessings, including redemption and forgiveness, are found only in Christ. This union is not symbolic or superficial—it is a real spiritual connection established by grace through faith.

2. “We have redemption through His blood” — Substitutionary Atonement

Redemption here means liberation from bondage—specifically, the slavery of sin. The Greek word apolutrōsis implies a ransom paid to secure freedom. This points directly to penal substitution: Jesus bore the penalty of sin in our place. His blood, shed on the cross, is the price of our freedom (cf. Romans 3:24–25[ii]; 1 Peter 1:18–19[iii]).

This is not merely a metaphor. It is the historical and spiritual reality of the cross. The blood of Christ is not symbolic—it is the actual means by which redemption was accomplished.

3. “The forgiveness of sins” — Justification and Grace

Forgiveness is not earned; it is granted. This is tied to justification by faith alone. God does not overlook sin; He deals with it fully in Christ. Forgiveness is the legal declaration that the believer is no longer guilty because Christ has paid the debt.

This forgiveness is comprehensive—it covers all sins, past, present, and future. It is not partial or conditional on human effort. It is grounded in the finished work of Christ.

4. “According to the riches of His grace” — Abundant Mercy

Paul emphasises that this redemption and forgiveness are not given sparingly. They flow from the “riches” of God’s grace. Grace is sovereign, free, and abundant. God does not redeem us because we are worthy, but because He is gracious.

This phrase also counters any notion of scarcity in God’s mercy. His grace is not limited by our failures. It is vast, generous, and overflowing.

🪶 Application to Modern Christian Living

• Assurance of Salvation: Believers can rest in the certainty that their redemption is secure. It is not based on performance but on Christ’s blood.
• Freedom from Guilt: The forgiveness of sins means we do not need to live under the weight of past mistakes. We are fully pardoned.
• Gratitude and Worship: Understanding the cost of redemption should lead to heartfelt worship and a life of gratitude.
• Grace-Filled Living: Just as we have received grace, we are called to extend grace to others—freely and generously.

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[i] Ephesians 1

New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [b]prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Footnotes

Ephesians 1:6 Lit. bestowed grace (favor) upon us

Ephesians 1:8 understanding

Ephesians 1:10 NU, M omit both

Ephesians 1:14 NU which

Ephesians 1:14 down payment, earnest

Ephesians 1:18 NU, M hearts

Ephesians 1:21 rule

Ephesians 1:21 authority

Ephesians 1:21 power

[ii] Romans 3:24–25

New King James Version

24 being justified [a]freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a [b]propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

Footnotes

Romans 3:24 without any cost

Romans 3:25 mercy seat

[iii] 1 Peter 1:18–19

New King James Version

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with [a]corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Footnotes

1 Peter 1:18 perishable