Ephesians 2:4

KJV

¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} God {G2316}, who is {G5607} rich {G4145} in {G1722} mercy {G1656}, for {G1223} his {G846} great {G4183} love {G26} wherewith {G3739} he loved {G25} us {G2248},

Complete Jewish Bible

But God is so rich in mercy and loves us with such intense love

Berean Standard Bible

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

American Standard Version

but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 2:4 serves as a pivotal turning point in Paul's theological exposition, dramatically shifting from a grim depiction of humanity's spiritual death and enslavement to sin (Ephesians 2:1-3) to a glorious declaration of God's character and redemptive initiative. The verse highlights two foundational attributes of God—His abundant mercy and immense love—as the sole, unmerited basis for the salvation He extends to a lost and condemned humanity, setting the stage for the profound work of grace detailed in the subsequent verses.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 2:4 stands as the dramatic "But God" transition, a powerful adversative conjunction that pivots the entire narrative from humanity's desperate spiritual condition to God's divine intervention. The preceding verses (Ephesians 2:1-3) meticulously detail the Ephesians' former state: spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air, and by nature children of wrath. This stark portrayal of human depravity and divine judgment sets the stage for the radical grace introduced in verse 4. The "But God" acts as a theological hinge, contrasting humanity's utter inability to save itself with God's sovereign, loving, and merciful action, which then unfolds into the description of salvation by grace through faith in [Ephesians 2:5-10](/ephesians/2-5-10 "Ephesians 2:5-10 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The letter to the Ephesians was written to a diverse church in a prominent Roman provincial capital, a city known for its temple to Artemis and a strong presence of occult practices and pagan worship. In this polytheistic and often fatalistic cultural milieu, the concept of a singular, sovereign God who acts out of immense love and mercy for undeserving individuals would have been revolutionary. Paul's emphasis on God's initiative directly challenges any notion of salvation based on human merit, ritual purity, or the appeasement of deities, which were common in the Greco-Roman world. Furthermore, the letter addresses both Jewish and Gentile believers, underscoring that God's mercy and love extend equally to all who believe, transcending the deep ethnic and religious divides prevalent in the first century. This universal scope of God's love is a profound departure from the exclusive religious systems of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ephesians and Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Initiative in Salvation**, emphasizing that salvation originates entirely from God's character and will, not from human effort or worthiness. This theme is foundational to understanding [God's election and predestination](/ephesians/1-4-5 "Ephesians 1:4-5 - God's Election and Predestination") in Christ. Secondly, it highlights the **Character of God**, portraying Him as supremely merciful and loving, attributes that stand in stark contrast to the wrath described in [Ephesians 2:3](/ephesians/2-3 "Ephesians 2:3 - Children of Wrath"). This dual emphasis reveals the complexity of God's nature—holy and just, yet also infinitely compassionate. Thirdly, the verse establishes the **Basis of Grace**, revealing that God's rich mercy and great love are the wellsprings from which His saving grace flows, culminating in the resurrection and exaltation of believers with Christ, as further elaborated in [Ephesians 2:5-7](/ephesians/2-5-7 "Ephesians 2:5-7 - Raised with Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **rich (Greek, _ploúsios'_):** From G4145, meaning wealthy or figuratively, abounding with. When applied to God's mercy, it signifies that His compassion is not meager or limited but is exceedingly plentiful, overflowing, and inexhaustible. It suggests an abundance that goes beyond what is merely sufficient, indicating a lavish and generous supply.
* **mercy (Greek, _éleos'_):** From G1656, referring to compassion, especially active compassion shown to someone in distress or misery. It is not merely a feeling of pity but an active intervention to alleviate suffering. God's mercy here is His compassionate response to humanity's wretched and helpless state, as described in Ephesians 2:1-3.
* **great (Greek, _polýs'_):** From G4183, meaning much or many, indicating magnitude. When modifying "love," it emphasizes the immense, profound, and immeasurable nature of God's affection. It is not a casual or ordinary love but one of extraordinary depth and power.
* **love (Greek, _agápē'_):** From G26, denoting a selfless, unconditional, and benevolent affection. This is the characteristic love of God, which is not based on the worthiness of the object but on the nature of the giver. It is a sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of the beloved, even at great cost to the lover.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But God,"**: This phrase serves as a powerful adversative conjunction (Greek, _dé_ G1161), marking a dramatic shift from the preceding description of human spiritual death and condemnation. It signals a divine intervention, highlighting God as the sole agent capable of altering humanity's dire condition. It contrasts human inability with divine omnipotence and initiative.
* **"who is rich in mercy,"**: This clause reveals a fundamental attribute of God's character. His mercy (Greek, _éleos_ G1656) is not merely present but is "rich" (Greek, _ploúsios_ G4145), indicating an abundant, overflowing, and inexhaustible supply of active compassion towards those in distress. This mercy is the wellspring from which His saving actions flow.
* **"for his great love"**: This phrase introduces the primary motivation behind God's merciful actions. The preposition "for" (Greek, _diá_ G1223) indicates the channel or reason. God's "great" (Greek, _polýs_ G4183) love (Greek, _agápē_ G26) is the profound, unconditional, and benevolent affection that compels Him to act on humanity's behalf. It is the ultimate cause of His redemptive work.
* **"wherewith he loved us,"**: This concluding clause emphasizes the personal and active nature of God's love. The relative pronoun "wherewith" (Greek, _hós_ G3739) links His great love to the specific act of loving "us" (Greek, _hēmâs_ G2248)—humanity, specifically those who were spiritually dead and children of wrath. It underscores that God's love is not abstract but is concretely demonstrated through His saving initiative toward individuals.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 2:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is **Contrast**, powerfully introduced by the Greek particle _dé_ (translated "But"), which creates a stark juxtaposition between the preceding verses' grim portrayal of human spiritual death and God's life-giving intervention. This "But God" serves as an emphatic **Turning Point** in the epistle's argument, shifting from humanity's desperate state to God's glorious action. Paul employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human-like qualities to God, such as "love," to make His divine nature comprehensible, though His love is of an infinitely higher order. The phrase "rich in mercy" uses **Metaphor** or **Hyperbole** to convey the boundless and inexhaustible nature of God's compassion, likening it to vast wealth. Furthermore, the verse functions as a concise **Statement of Divine Character**, defining God primarily by His mercy and love, which are presented as the fundamental drivers of His redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 2:4 is a theological cornerstone, revealing the very heart of God's disposition towards fallen humanity. It asserts that salvation is not a response to human merit or a reward for good works, but a spontaneous outflow of God's inherent character—His boundless mercy and immeasurable love. This truth dismantles any notion of earning salvation and firmly establishes it as a gift of divine grace. The verse underscores God's sovereignty and initiative in redemption, portraying Him as the active, compassionate rescuer who intervenes in humanity's desperate state. This understanding of God's character as "rich in mercy" and motivated by "great love" forms the bedrock for the subsequent explanation of salvation by grace through faith, emphasizing that our hope and security are rooted entirely in who God is and what He has done.

* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")
* [Titus 3:4-5](/titus/3-4-5 "Titus 3:4-5 - God's Kindness and Love Appeared")
* [1 John 4:8-10](/1_john/4-8-10 "1 John 4:8-10 - God Is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 2:4 offers profound comfort and a call to deep gratitude. To grasp that our salvation is not a precarious achievement based on our performance, but a secure reality rooted in God's unchangeable character, transforms our understanding of grace. It means that even in our darkest moments, when we feel most unworthy or distant, God's nature remains "rich in mercy" and His love for us is "great." This truth liberates us from the exhausting cycle of trying to earn divine favor and invites us into a relationship of humble dependence and joyful trust. It compels us to respond to such immense, unmerited love not with pride in our own efforts, but with heartfelt worship and a desire to live lives that reflect the grace we have received. Our security is not in our grip on God, but in His steadfast, loving grip on us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "rich in mercy" and possessing "great love" change your perception of His character, especially when you consider your own past failures or struggles?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own efforts or merits for God's favor, rather than resting fully in His unmerited mercy and love?**
* **How can the "But God" moment in this verse inspire you to trust in God's intervention in seemingly hopeless situations in your own life or in the world?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live more fully in the awareness of God's rich mercy and great love for you?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "But God" in Ephesians 2:4?**

Answer: The phrase "But God" (Greek: _dé Theos_) is one of the most significant and dramatic turning points in all of Scripture. It acts as a powerful adversative conjunction, sharply contrasting the preceding verses (Ephesians 2:1-3) which describe humanity's state of spiritual death, enslavement to sin, and being "children of wrath" by nature. "But God" signifies a divine intervention, a radical shift from human inability and condemnation to God's sovereign, merciful, and loving action. It emphasizes that salvation is not initiated by human effort or merit, but solely by God's character and will, making Him the ultimate source of hope and redemption. It underscores the profound difference between humanity's fallen state and God's gracious nature, setting the stage for the explanation of salvation by grace through faith in [Ephesians 2:5-10](/ephesians/2-5-10 "Ephesians 2:5-10 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith").

**How does "rich in mercy" describe God's character?**

Answer: The description of God as "rich in mercy" (Greek: _ploúsios en eleei_) highlights the boundless and abundant nature of His compassion. "Rich" implies an inexhaustible supply, not a limited or scarce quantity. God's mercy (Greek: _éleos_) is His active pity and compassion shown towards those in distress, particularly humanity in its spiritual misery and helplessness. This phrase conveys that God's compassion is not merely a fleeting emotion but a fundamental, overflowing attribute of His being. It assures us that His willingness to alleviate suffering and extend grace is not constrained, but is lavish and freely given, even to those who are utterly undeserving, as described in [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is Merciful and Gracious").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 2:4, with its declaration of God's rich mercy and great love, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is through Christ that God's boundless mercy and immeasurable love are not merely declared, but are tangibly and redemptively displayed. The "great love wherewith he loved us" culminated in God sending His only Son into the world, not to condemn it, but that through Him the world might be saved, as articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). Christ's crucifixion is the supreme demonstration of this love, where God's mercy overlooks our sin by justly punishing it in His Son, thereby reconciling us to Himself. As [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love") powerfully states, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." In Christ, we see God's mercy actively reaching out to the spiritually dead, raising them to new life (as subsequent verses in Ephesians 2 detail), and His love providing the perfect sacrifice that satisfies divine justice and opens the way for eternal communion. Thus, Christ is not only the recipient of God's love but also the very means by which that love and mercy are poured out upon humanity, making the "But God" of [Ephesians 2:4](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4 - God's Rich Mercy and Great Love") a Christ-centered reality.

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

1 Peter 1:3

¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Ephesians 1:7

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

Titus 3:4

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3:7

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Psalms 86:15

But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.