The riches of the Son

What is the wealth of Christ really worth?

The introduction to Ephesians makes clear the wealth that God has given to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. It begins with the blessings of God the Father, and now continues to the riches of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. The treasure of Christ is of unspeakable value. Nobody can afford it, and nobody can acquire it, it can only be received in faith as a gift. Jesus tells us that where our treasure is our heart is also, where are our hearts?

Scripture

Ephesians 1:7-12 ESV In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Matthew 6:19-21 ESV “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Bible Study Questions

We are blessed in the Beloved

The passage focuses on the blessings we receive through being “in Him”. Who are “we” and who is the Beloved in whom we are blessed"?

Ephesians 1:6-7 ESV to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we…

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Purchased by the precious

To redeem something means to take possession of it through an exchange. What did Jesus give as payment to make us His own?

Ephesians 1:7 ESV In Him we have redemption through his blood,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Peter 1:17-19 ESV And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

The great value of the gift of forgiveness

In Jesus we have been purchased out of slavery to sin, and been given the gift of forgiveness. Why is forgiveness through Christ so precious?

Ephesians 1:7 ESV In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,

Acts 10:43 ESV To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

1 Timothy 2:5 ESV For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Romans 5:9-10 ESV Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

The riches of Grace

What is grace, why can we never earn it, and why is it compared with riches?

Ephesians 1:7 ESV In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Lavished with wisdom

God’s grace has been lavished on us in all wisdom and insight through Jesus Christ. He has made known to us the mystery of God’s will to achieve something wonderful which He has planned from the begging. What is this glorious plan?

Ephesians 1:8-10 ESV which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Colossians 1:20-23 ESV and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The imperishable Inheritance of Christ

The riches of Jesus Christ are an inheritance given to us through the death of Jesus Christ. How is this inheritance different from any earthly inheritance?

Ephesians 1:11 ESV In him we have obtained an inheritance,

1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Predestined to the praise of His Glory

Who does God want to see come to salvation and be reconciled to Him through Christ, and who will eventually be reconciled and saved?

Ephesians 1:11-12 ESV having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Ezekiel 33:11 ESV Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

1 Timothy 2:3-6 ESV This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Isaiah 43:7 ESV everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”