On Paul's Letter: Accepted in the Beloved

Ephesians 1:6(KJV)

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

Let's examine this carefully.

Ephesians 1:1-8(KJV)

1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

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

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

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

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

8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.

See verse 8.

The word WHEREIN there is the Greek word hos hē ho which is a relative pronoun that describes or qualifies a noun. It could mean which, who, that, whose, or what depending on the context—same word used in verse 9 as WHICH, which qualifies "good pleasure", meaning this good pleasure is not just any but the one God purposed in himself.

So the word WHEREIN in verse 8 will be better replaced with WHICH, qualifying "his grace" in verse 7.

ABOUNDED means "bestowed abundantly" or "lavished".

So, verse 7–8 means:

"...according to the riches of his grace WHICH he has lavished upon us in all wisdom...."

Same word, WHICH (hos hē ho), was used in verse 14, qualifying the promised Holy Spirit as the earnest (guarantee; surety) of our inheritance.

Ephesians 1:13-14(KJV)

13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with THAT HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE,

14. WHICH IS THE EARNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

WHO is a better translation though (hos hē ho).

So, WHEREIN (in our theme text) is not talking about a location. It is the same word used in chapter 5.

Ephesians 5:18(KJV)

And be not drunk with wine, WHEREIN (which) is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

EXCESS there does not talk about quantity; it is the Greek word asōtia, which describes the gratification of carnal desires; licentiousness; profligacy; debauchery; waywardness.

So this means that drunkenness with wine is a wayward lifestyle.

That noted, same applies to our theme text.

Ephesians 1:6(KJV)

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

We replace the word WHEREIN with WHICH, qualifying HIS GRACE.

ACCEPTED there is the Greek word charitoō, a verb which means to bless; endow specially; bestow freely, from the root word charis which means grace, describing a gift; something free.

That word charitoō is used in just one other instance in the Bible Greek lexicon.

Luke 1:28(KJV)

28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art HIGHLY FAVOURED, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

MADE US ACCEPTED is a rather poor translation of that word by the KJV.

So, Ephesians 1:6 is better read as

"To the praise of the glory of his grace (to the praise of his glorious grace), WHICH he has FREELY BESTOWED on us in the Beloved (in Christ)."

See some other versions:

(English Standard Version)

To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

(Amplified Bible Version)

[So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

(New American Standard Bible)

To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

(New English Translation)

To the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.

(New International Version)

To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

So, truly we have been accepted as sons, but THIS VERSE describes HIS GRACE not us.

Amen.

Victor Ibosiola © 2018