Ephesians 1:6

KJV

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

KJV (with Strong's)

To {G1519} the praise {G1868} of the glory {G1391} of his {G846} grace {G5485}, wherein {G1722}{G3739} he hath made {G5487} us {G2248} accepted {G5487} in {G1722} the beloved {G25}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that we would bring him praise commensurate with the glory of the grace he gave us through the Beloved One.

Berean Standard Bible

to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

American Standard Version

to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 1:6 stands as a profound declaration within Paul's opening doxology, articulating the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive work: the magnification of His own glorious grace. This verse underscores that believers are not merely forgiven but have been actively and completely made acceptable in God's sight, a status bestowed solely through their union with Jesus Christ, whom God intimately calls "the beloved." It is a testament to God's sovereign initiative and the unmerited favor that defines the believer's standing before Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 1:6 is embedded within a magnificent theological and liturgical opening (Ephesians 1:3-14) that functions as a blessing or doxology. Paul begins by praising God for every spiritual blessing already given to believers "in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). He then systematically unpacks these blessings, starting with God's eternal choice of believers before creation ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World")) and their predestination to adoption as His children through Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Predestined to Adoption Through Jesus Christ")). Verse 6 serves as the culmination of this initial movement, revealing the grand purpose behind all these divine actions: "to the praise of the glory of his grace." The subsequent verses (Ephesians 1:7-14) continue to elaborate on the specific aspects of redemption (redemption through Christ's blood, forgiveness of sins, revelation of God's mystery, the sealing of the Holy Spirit) all leading to the same ultimate goal of God's praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle to the Ephesians was written to a church in Ephesus, a prominent Roman city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse population, significant pagan worship (especially of Artemis), and a blend of Roman and Greek cultural influences. The concept of "adoption" (mentioned in [Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Predestined to Adoption")) would have resonated strongly with Roman law, where adoption was a formal, legal process conferring full rights and inheritance upon the adopted individual, completely severing ties with the former family. This legal backdrop enriches the understanding of being "made accepted" or "highly favored" – it's not a casual welcome but a formal, legal, and relational transformation. Furthermore, in a culture where status and honor were paramount, the idea of being "accepted" or "graced" by the supreme deity would have carried immense weight, elevating the status of believers far beyond any earthly distinction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ephesians. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** in salvation, emphasizing that all spiritual blessings originate from God's eternal plan and gracious will, not human merit. Secondly, **God's Glorious Grace** is central; the entire redemptive narrative is designed to showcase the unmerited favor of God, which is both the means and the ultimate end of salvation. Thirdly, the theme of **Union with Christ** is foundational, as believers are "made accepted in the beloved," signifying that their standing before God is entirely dependent on their relationship with Jesus Christ. Finally, the theme of **Doxology and Praise** permeates the entire opening section, establishing that the ultimate purpose of God's work in creation and redemption is to bring glory and praise to His own name, a theme echoed later in the epistle, such as in [Ephesians 3:21](/ephesians/3-21 "Ephesians 3:21 - Glory to God in the Church").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Greek, _épainos'_):** From G1868, meaning "laudation" or "a commendable thing." In this context, it signifies the ultimate goal and response to God's actions. God's grace is so magnificent that it elicits and deserves the highest form of commendation and honor. It's not merely human appreciation, but the intrinsic worthiness of God's character and deeds to be glorified.
* **Glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** From G1391, meaning "glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)." Here, it refers to the manifest excellence, splendor, and inherent majesty of God. The "glory of his grace" suggests that God's grace is not merely a benevolent act but possesses a radiant, weighty, and awe-inspiring quality that demands recognition and adoration.
* **Made us accepted (Greek, _charitóō'_):** From G5487, meaning "to grace, i.e. indue with special honor" or "to make accepted, be highly favoured." This verb is crucial. It's not passive acceptance, but an active, divine act of bestowing grace and honor. It implies that God has not just tolerated or pardoned us, but has actively endowed us with favor, making us delightful and honored in His sight. This same word is used in [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - Mary, Highly Favored") to describe Mary as "highly favored," emphasizing the profound and unique nature of the grace bestowed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To the praise of the glory of his grace":** This opening phrase establishes the ultimate teleological purpose of God's redemptive work. It is not primarily for humanity's benefit, but for the magnification and adoration of God's inherent splendor, particularly as it is revealed through His unmerited favor. The "glory of his grace" indicates that grace is not just a concept but a radiant attribute of God, worthy of all praise.
* **"wherein he hath made us accepted":** This clause describes the specific action God has taken through His grace. The Greek verb _charitóō_ (translated "made us accepted") signifies an active, divine act of bestowing favor, honor, and acceptance. It implies a transformation of status from alienation to belovedness, from unworthiness to being highly favored. This acceptance is not earned but is a gift, a direct result of God's gracious initiative.
* **"in the beloved":** This crucial phrase identifies the sphere and means by which this acceptance is granted. "The beloved" is a unique and tender designation for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His intimate and cherished relationship with the Father. Believers are made acceptable not on their own merit or standing, but solely through their union with Christ. Their acceptance is derivative of, and secured by, Christ's own perfect standing and belovedness before God.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 1:6 employs several powerful literary devices. **Doxology** is the overarching structure, as the entire passage functions as a hymn of praise to God, setting a tone of worship and adoration. The phrase "the glory of his grace" utilizes **Metonymy** or a form of **Hendiadys**, where "glory" and "grace" are so intimately linked that grace itself is portrayed as possessing inherent glory, or as the means through which God's glory is most brilliantly displayed. There is also a strong sense of **Emphasis** on God's initiative and sovereignty, reinforced by the active voice "he hath made us accepted." Finally, the designation "the beloved" serves as a profound **Symbolism** for Christ's unique relationship with the Father and, by extension, the believer's shared status through union with Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 1:6 profoundly shapes our understanding of salvation, emphasizing that its ultimate end is not merely human benefit but the display of God's magnificent character. Our acceptance is entirely a work of God's grace, highlighting His sovereignty and benevolence. This divine initiative ensures that all boasting is excluded, and all praise is directed to Him. The phrase "in the beloved" underscores the Christocentric nature of salvation; our standing before God is not based on our own merit or performance, but on our inseparable union with Jesus Christ, who is eternally cherished by the Father. This radical acceptance transforms our identity and calls us to live lives that reflect the glory of the One who has so graciously favored us.

* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justified Freely by Grace")
* [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Made the Righteousness of God in Him")
* [Philippians 1:11](/philippians/1-11 "Philippians 1:11 - To the Glory and Praise of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 1:6 offers immense comfort and a clear call to worship for every believer. To truly grasp that we are "made accepted in the beloved" means our standing before God is not precarious or conditional, but eternally secure and based on Christ's perfect work, not our fluctuating performance. This truth should eradicate shame, fear, and the relentless pursuit of human approval. It invites us into a life of profound gratitude and humility, knowing that our salvation is entirely a gift of God's glorious grace. Our response, then, is to live in a way that brings praise to this glorious grace, allowing our lives to be a testament to His goodness and love. This means living out our new identity in Christ, serving Him with joy, and reflecting His character to a world desperately in need of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that your acceptance is "in the beloved" (Christ) change your perspective on your own worth and identity?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to seek acceptance or favor outside of God's grace, and how can this verse reorient your focus?**
* **How can your daily life be lived "to the praise of the glory of his grace"? What practical steps can you take?**

### FAQ

**What does "made us accepted" truly mean in the context of this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "made us accepted" translates the Greek word _charitóō_ (G5487), which means "to grace," "to make gracious," or "to highly favor." It signifies much more than mere tolerance or forgiveness. It implies an active, divine act of bestowing special honor, favor, and delight upon believers. God has not just pardoned our sins; He has actively adorned us with His grace, making us objects of His special affection and pleasure. This concept is similar to how Mary was "highly favored" in [Luke 1:28](/luke/1-28 "Luke 1:28 - Mary, Highly Favored"), indicating a unique and profound endowment of grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 1:6 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is uniquely "the beloved" of the Father. This designation echoes the divine pronouncements at Jesus' baptism ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - Jesus' Baptism and God's Affirmation")) and transfiguration ([Matthew 17:5](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - The Transfiguration of Jesus")), where God explicitly declares, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Our acceptance before God is not achieved through our own merit or effort, but is entirely derivative of Christ's perfect belovedness and His finished work on the cross. By being "in the beloved," believers are united with Christ, sharing in His favored status and receiving His righteousness as their own ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Made the Righteousness of God in Him")). Thus, the praise of God's glorious grace is fully realized as His unmerited favor flows to us through the one who perfectly pleased Him, Jesus Christ, making us co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")) and bringing us into the very presence of the Father through His beloved Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:22

Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:26

To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Ephesians 1:12

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Colossians 1:13

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;