What does Paul mean by “in the coming ages”?
Ephesians 2:7
NKJV - 7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
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Asked 1 day ago
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Patrick Ledanois
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Jack Gutknecht
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Perfect question, Patrick!
Ephesians 2:7 — "The ages to come"
"The ages to come" means the ages that are coming one after another, leading up to Christ's return (Vincent's Word Studies).
In Jewish thought, time was divided into two ages: the present age, where God's rule is not yet fully shown, and the coming age, when God will reveal His rule as King (see Matt 12:32; Mark 10:30). Through Christ's death, resurrection, and exaltation, believers can already live under God's rule now. The same phrase appears in Romans 12:2 ("And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect") and 1 Corinthians 2:8 (compare 1 John 2:15 --> in "[1 J 2:15 Do not love the world The values of human societies should not define believers. Instead, they should be shaped by Jesus’ values. John is in favor of love, but acquiescing to evil is not love. The believer’s passion should not be for what culture offers but for what God desires.]"
John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible; Faithlife Study Bible).
In short: "the coming ages" are the future ages when God will fully display the riches of His grace and kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Edited for clarity by chat.deepseek.com
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