‘That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.'

And the final purpose of God in all this is that He might continually reveal His goodness and kindness towards us in every possible way through all ages. He will show to us ‘the exceeding riches of His grace.' What could be greater than that? This is either saying that His grace (active, powerful love) towards us is like a vast treasure-house of riches, beyond comprehension, beyond counting, being showered upon us, or that of His grace we shall experience such treasure-houses of riches for ourselves. Both are in fact true.

‘In the ages to come.' This is both in the remainder of the present age, and ‘to the ages of the ages', into the everlasting future. There will be no time limit to the dispensing of His goodness. The ancient Hebrew did not think of ‘eternity' as we think of it, he thought of ages and ages and ages, ‘the ages of the ages'. These are not necessarily theological ages, simply ages beyond measure. They express the idea of eternity.

‘In kindness towards us.' The word for kindness is used in Romans 11:22 of God delighting in mercy towards those whom He has chosen. It is used in extra-Biblical literature of the beneficence of rulers as they shower gifts on their favourites and dispense favours to their people, and it is used of Isaac's pacific nature. Thus it is God being at abundant peace with us, and pouring out His generosity on us in full measure, supplying us from His storehouse of grace.

‘In Christ Jesus.' And, as ever, all this is ‘in Him'. It is the Messiah Jesus, sent by His Father, Who has brought all these blessings on us.

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