to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verb translated "made us accepted" isn't just about receiving favor; it carries the sense of "being endowed with grace" or "being made gracious." This means God didn't just look upon us favorably, but His grace actively transformed us, making us objects of His delight in Christ, His beloved Son.
to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul begins by praising God, explaining that our adoption and acceptance aren't based on anything we did, but on God's glorious grace. This grace is fully expressed and bestowed through Jesus Christ, referred to here as "the Beloved," in whom believers are made acceptable to God.
Have you ever stopped to think about the 'why' behind God's amazing plan for us? It's not just about our salvation, but about something even bigger.
This verse zooms out to reveal the ultimate purpose of God's saving work: 'to the praise of his glorious grace.'
Ever feel like you're constantly trying to earn your way to acceptance? This verse flips that idea on its head, revealing where our true acceptance comes from.
The verse doesn't just say God gives us grace; it says He 'has blessed us' with it, specifically 'in the Beloved.' This points to our secure standing in Christ.
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Understand the original words
charis · Greek Noun
A term used to describe the unmerited favor and divine enablement of God extended to humanity, particularly manifested through the work of Christ. It is the basis for salvation and the empowerment for the believer's life.
ēgapēmenō · Greek Adjective/Participle
A title of endearment and identity for Jesus Christ, highlighting the Father's eternal love for the Son and the believer's position of acceptance within that union.
This passage echoes the idea of God's immense love demonstrated through giving His Son, reinforcing the concept that 'in the Beloved' implies a gift of immeasurable value that underpins our acceptance.
Matthew 3:17This verse marks the Father's declaration of His pleasure in the Son, directly connecting to the idea of our acceptance being rooted in Christ, 'the Beloved,' in whom God is well-pleased.
Colossians 1:13The phrase 'Son of his love' here provides a parallel to 'the Beloved' in Ephesians, highlighting that Christ's beloved status is the very means by which we are brought into God's favor and kingdom.
Luke 1:28The angel's greeting to Mary, 'highly favored,' uses the same Greek word as 'made us accepted' in Ephesians, showing that this divine favor is a gift of grace, not something earned.
John 3:16This foundational verse about God giving His only Son 'that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life' powerfully illustrates the grace extended 'in the Beloved' for our salvation and acceptance.
bengelEphesians 1:6: "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
Ephesians 1:6 . Εἰς , to ) The end aimed at.— ἔπαινον δόξης τῆς χάριτος , the praise of the glory of His grace ) The praise of His glory , Ephesians 1:12 ; Ephesians 1:14 . The praise of grace takes its rise first in order, Ephesians 1:7 , then afterwards the praise of the glory [ concerning “the glory,” comp. Ephesians 1:6 ; Ephesians 1:17-18 .—V. g.]— ἐν ᾗ ) χάριτι . Words that are conju…
gillEphesians 1:6: "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
To the praise of the glory of his grace,.... The grace of God manifestly appears in the predestination of men to adoption; in that God had no need of sons, he having a dear and well beloved one; in whom he is well pleased; and in that those he adopts are so unworthy of the relation; and in that men, and not angels, should be taken by him into his family; and that some, and not others of th…
The verb translated "made us accepted" isn't just about receiving favor; it carries the sense of "being endowed with grace" or "being made gracious." This means God didn't just look upon us favorably, but His grace actively transformed us, making us objects of His delight in Christ, His beloved Son.
Paul begins by praising God, explaining that our adoption and acceptance aren't based on anything we did, but on God's glorious grace. This grace is fully expressed and bestowed through Jesus Christ, referred to here as "the Beloved," in whom believers are made acceptable to God.
Paul begins by praising God, explaining that our adoption and acceptance aren't based on anything we did, but on God's glorious grace. This grace is fully expressed and bestowed through Jesus Christ, referred to here as "the Beloved," in whom believers are made acceptable to God.
"to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." — The verb translated "made us accepted" isn't just about receiving favor; it carries the sense of "being endowed with grace" or "being made gracious." This means God didn't just look upon us favorably…
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Last reviewed October 2026