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to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God loves us with the same love He has for Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n The word \u201cpraise<\/span>\u201d is translated from epainos<\/em><\/span>, composed of epi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cupon\u201d or \u201con\u201d and ainos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cpraise given for benefits received.\u201d Epainos<\/em><\/span> refers to applause or commendation given in recognition of something that was done.<\/p>\n \u201cGlory<\/span>\u201d is from doxa<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb doke\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto think or suppose.\u201d Doxa<\/em><\/span> primarily means \u201cthought or opinion, especially favorable opinion.\u201d In a secondary sense it means \u201creputation, praise, honor, or splendor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGrace<\/span>\u201d is from charis<\/em><\/span> which we looked at back in verse two. It refers to \u201cfavor, good will, or kindness, especially that which causes joy and gratification.\u201d<\/p>\n The expression \u201cmade us accepted<\/span>\u201d is from charito\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is a verb form of charis<\/em><\/span>. It means \u201cto endue with special honor\u201d or \u201cto greatly favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeloved<\/span>\u201d is translated from agapa\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto love with a perfect, self-sacrificing love.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense, indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis in on the effect. That is, God perfectly loved the Second Person of the Godhead (His Son) in the past, and the result is that He is His beloved Son.<\/p>\n The opening phrase of this verse, \u201cto the praise of the glory of His grace<\/span>\u201d is a Hebraism, that is, a method of thought of the Hebrew people. The meaning they would ascribe to this phrase is \u201cto His glorious grace!\u201d In other words, by His choosing us and determining beforehand that we will be adopted as His children, God is shining the spotlight fully on His amazing grace. God did not have to choose us and He did not have to legally make us His children. We do not deserve to be chosen by Him, and we certainly do not deserve to be adopted into His family. And, He did not do these things for our benefit; He did them to show to all of creation how magnificent His grace is.<\/p>\n Were it not for God\u2019s holiness and righteousness, we wouldn\u2019t need His grace. Because He is holy, he is completely separated from all sin and sinfulness. Therefore, but for His grace, He could not fellowship with us. Because He is righteous, He always does what is right, and He must judge (condemn) every sin and every sinner. Therefore, but for His grace, we are condemned as sinners and destined for Hell.<\/p>\n In the second chapter of this letter, Paul will get into a deeper explanation of this marvelous grace of His. For now, he tells us that by this grace, \u201cHe graced us in the beloved.<\/span>\u201d In other words, He showed great favor and bestowed great honor on us by placing us in His beloved Son. In Him we possess all that the Father loves in His Son. Thus, we are perfectly loved!<\/p>\n What a blessing to know that God sees His beloved Son every time He looks at a Christian. The Father loves you and me with the same love with which He has always loved the Son. By His grace, He loves us with the love of Christ! How great is that?!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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