Efeziërs 1:8

Staten Vertaling

Met welke Hij overvloedig is geweest over ons in alle wijsheid en voorzichtigheid;

Parallel Translations

Gereviseerde Leidse Vertaling
Overvloedig heeft Hij ons die betoond door met louter wijsheid en beleid

Gereviseerde Lutherse Vertaling
welke ons rijkelijk verleend is in alle wijsheid en kennis;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he: Romans 5:15, Romans 5:20, Romans 5:21

in: Ephesians 1:11, Ephesians 3:10, Psalms 104:24, Proverbs 8:12, Isaiah 52:13, Daniel 2:20, Daniel 2:21, Matthew 11:19, Romans 11:33, 1 Corinthians 1:19-24, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Colossians 2:3, Jude 1:25, Revelation 5:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:6 - abundant Numbers 14:18 - longsuffering 1 Kings 20:31 - merciful kings Job 9:4 - wise in heart Job 12:13 - counsel Psalms 103:8 - merciful Psalms 130:7 - for with Psalms 145:8 - Lord is gracious Song of Solomon 8:10 - then Isaiah 1:27 - redeemed Isaiah 30:18 - for the Lord Isaiah 43:25 - for mine Hosea 2:19 - in righteousness Zechariah 9:17 - how great is his goodness Romans 16:27 - only Ephesians 1:6 - praise Ephesians 3:8 - unsearchable Colossians 1:9 - wisdom 1 Timothy 1:14 - exceeding

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherein he hath abounded toward us,.... That is, in the grace which is so abundantly displayed in redemption and forgiveness of sin, through the blood of Christ:

in all wisdom and prudence; this may be understood, either of the aboundings of grace in the Gospel; which may be called all wisdom and prudence, because it is the wisdom of God; it is the product of his wisdom, and a display of it; the doctrines it contains are full of wisdom, and are the means of communicating it to men, and of making them wise unto salvation; and it may be so called, to set forth the excellency and perfection of it, as greatly transcending all human wisdom; and in this the grace of God has much abounded, for the Gospel is a declaration of the free grace of God, in the salvation of sinners by Christ; in the free justification of them by his righteousness; and in the full pardon of their sins through his blood; and is a kind invitation and free promise of grace to all sensible sinners: or else of the aboundings of grace in conversion; all men by nature are foolish and unwise; in conversion God makes men to know wisdom in the hidden part, which he puts there; and for which purpose the Spirit is given as a spirit of wisdom; and some part of the work of sanctification lies in spiritual light, knowledge, and understanding; and the Syriac version reads the last clause, "and in all spiritual understanding"; and faith particularly may be intended, which is sometimes expressed by knowledge; and now the grace of God is exceeding abundant with faith and love, in regeneration, sanctification, and conversion; or rather this may be understood of the display of divine wisdom, in the work of redemption and salvation by Christ; and which is to be seen, in pitching upon a proper person to be the Mediator, to become a sacrifice, and make intercession, who is the Son of God, truly God and man, and so every way able to perform the business of salvation; and in the manner of its being effected, in a way wherein grace and mercy are highly exalted, and yet in no wise reproachful to the holiness of God, or injurious to his justice, but to the honour of them, in which Satan is greatly mortified, and sin is condemned, and yet the sinner saved; and in the several parts of it, in the justification of the ungodly without works, by the righteousness of another, in pardoning their sins in a way of justice and faithfulness, and yet according to the riches of grace, and in the security of the persons of God's elect, and of their grace and glory in Christ; and in the subjects of this salvation, who are the foolish things of this world, ungodly sinners, the chief of sinners; and lastly, in making faith the receiver of all the blessings of salvation, that so it might appear to be all of grace.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherein he hath abounded - Which he has liberally manifested to us This grace has not been stinted and confined, but has been liberal and abundant.

In all wisdom - That is, he has evinced great wisdom in the plan of salvation; wisdom in so saving people as to secure the honor of his own law, and in devising a scheme that was eminently adapted to save people; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 1:24.

And prudence - The word used here (φρονήσις phronēsis) means understanding, thinking, prudence. The meaning here is, that, so to speak, God had evinced great “intelligence” in the plan of salvation. There was ample proof of “mind” and of “thought.” It was adapted to the end in view. It was far-seeing; skillfully arranged; and carefully formed. The sense of the whole is, that there was a wise design running through the whole plan, and abounding in it in an eminent degree.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 8. Wherein he hath abounded — That is, in the dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus.

In all wisdom and prudence — Giving us apostles the most complete instructions in heavenly things by the inspiration of his Spirit; and at the same time prudence, that we might know when and where to preach the Gospel so that it might be effectual to the salvation of those who heard it. Nothing less than the Spirit of God could teach the apostles that wisdom by which they were to instruct a dark and sinful world; and nothing less than the same Spirit could inspire them with that prudence which was necessary to be exercised in every step of their life and ministry. Every wise man is not a prudent man, and every prudent man is not a wise man. Wisdom and prudence may be expected in an apostle who is constantly living under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. "Wisdom," according to Sir William Temple, "is that which makes men judge what are the best ends, and what the best means to attain them; and gives a man advantage of counsel and direction." "Prudence is wisdom applied to practice; or that discreet, apt suiting as well of actions as words, in their due place, time, and manner. Every minister of Christ needs these still; and if he abide not under the influence of both, not only his prayers but his ministerial labours will be all hindered,