How does Ephesians 1:6 connect to God's grace in John 1:16? Two Verses, One River of Grace • Ephesians 1:6 — “to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.” • John 1:16 — “From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” Both verses spotlight the same divine river. Paul sees it flowing “in the Beloved One”; John sees it spilling over from Christ’s “fullness.” Different writers, same Spirit-inspired testimony: every drop of saving favor originates in Jesus and keeps on coming. Ephesians 1:6 — Grace That Magnifies God • Objective: God’s grace is “glorious.” It reflects His splendor, not ours. • Direction: It is “freely given” (literally, “graced”)—no payment, no merit. • Location: All of it comes “in the Beloved One,” the Father’s cherished Son (cf. Matthew 3:17). • Result: Thanksgiving erupts—“to the praise” of that grace. When you see grace, praise follows. John 1:16 — Grace That Multiplies • Source: “His fullness.” Everything God is dwells bodily in Christ (Colossians 1:19). • Measure: “All” have “received.” None of His own are left out. • Overflow: “Grace upon grace”—layer on layer, wave after wave (Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8). What He gives never runs dry. Connecting the Dots 1. Same Giver – Ephesians: Father lavishes grace “in the Beloved.” – John: The Beloved Himself overflows with grace. 2. Same Motive – Ephesians: Grace fuels praise. – John: Grace multiplies so that fullness can be shared, leading again to praise (cf. Psalm 117:2). 3. Same Covenant Reality – Ephesians stresses election and adoption (vv. 4-5) made possible by grace. – John frames Christ as the incarnate Word who brings “grace and truth” (John 1:17). Both highlight a new covenant replacing law-keeping with grace-receiving. Scripture Echoes • Romans 5:20 — “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” • Ephesians 2:7 — “He might display the surpassing riches of His grace.” • Titus 2:11 — “The grace of God has appeared.” All reinforce that grace is not a trickle; it is God’s overflowing strategy for salvation and sanctification. Living in the Overflow • Receive—stop earning; start resting in the grace “freely given.” • Rejoice—let praise rise every time grace meets a need. • Reflect—extend grace to others as a testimony of the “grace upon grace” you’ve tasted. |
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