I love this phrase! The term “riches of His grace” is mentioned several times in Paul’s writings. It is only used by Paul as he describes the grace God has bestowed on us. Paul never got over what happened to him on the road to Damascus. When he had an encounter with Christ and realized He truly was God in the flesh, he was forever grateful for his salvation. He understood how vast, full, and rich God’s unmerited favor is as He bestows it on those who don’t deserve it. Paul saw his sin as it was: hideous, self-serving, prideful, and shameful. He came face to face with the fact he was guilty of murdering the Son of God and those who represented Him. He understood he deserved condemnation, but Jesus offered forgiveness. That is why Paul describes God’s grace as rich.
Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
The next time he uses the phrase “the riches of His grace,” he adds the word exceeding. The word exceeding means exceptional in amount, quality, or degree. The grace God has for us is above any amount we can imagine. It is abounding and overflowing, and it proves to us the mercy and goodness of God. The world is full of people who can’t or won’t forgive. God forgives everything! He exceeds any expectations we may have.
Ephesians 2:7 “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The next time Paul uses this phrase is in Ephesians 3:8. This time, he makes it personal. He considers himself “less than the least of all the saints.” He fully understands how his sin disqualifies him from any deserved mercy or grace. He understands the purpose of being left on this earth after he receives this rich grace. The purpose is to tell others so they also can experience what he has received.
Ephesians 3:8 “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”
We need to sit back and meditate on the riches of His grace. We need to make it personal. It is fully given to us at salvation. It frees us from the penalty of sin. In Jesus, we lack nothing. We have infinite access to wisdom, knowledge, and blessings. It allows us to come into the presence of God without fear of punishment for our sins. It makes the power and love of God available for any situation we may face.
Paul sets the pattern for us to follow. We are to be so grateful that we can’t contain what God has done for us. We are to share with others how God sent His son to pay the debt we owed and how Jesus was willing to give up the glory of Heaven to become a man and die for our sins. This was what the riches of His grace did for Paul.
Excellent