What is the meaning of God being rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4)?

TL;DR:

“Rich in mercy” means God’s mercy is overwhelmingly abundant, not minimal—He rescues us from wrath and raises us to reign with Christ. This mercy is so lavish that it magnifies His grace for all eternity and gives hope even to the most undeserving.

what does the bible say?

The phrase “rich in mercy” describes how abundant and overflowing God’s mercy is. God does not just extend a “bare minimum” mercy to save people—He overflows with mercy. He takes wicked men deserving of eternal death and pours out grace upon grace, not only saving them, but elevating them to be heirs with His Son, Jesus, giving them a share in His inheritance. While both the Old and New Testaments talk about God’s great mercy, the phrase “God being rich in mercy” is from Ephesians 2:4 That entire passage says that believers were once as wicked as the rest of the world, dead in their sins. However, because of God’s rich mercy, they were not only saved (mercy) but elevated to be seated with Jesus (mercy upon mercy). God did that—extended great mercy—so that for all eternity, His rich grace would be displayed (Ephesians 2:1-7).

from the old testament

While the phrase, “rich in mercy,” is found in the New Testament, the Old Testament often talks about God’s abundant mercy. In Exodus 34:6 God describes Himself as “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.” The word “compassion” is often translated as “merciful” in the Old Testament. God says that He is merciful and abounding in loving kindness. So, when we learn that God is rich in mercy that means he abounds in it.
In the book of Daniel, Daniel was writing in the context of Judah’s captivity. On their behalf, Daniel began confessing their sins, acknowledging that they had done evil against God and had received their due punishment (Daniel 9:4-15). In Daniel 9 he repented for Israel’s sins against God. As he ended his repentance, he begged God to forgive them, saying not for “merits of our own, but on account of your great mercy” (Daniel 9:18). Daniel was appealing for forgiveness on the grounds of God’s abundant mercy, not because they had any reason to expect forgiveness.
Psalm 145:8 also talks about God’s great mercy. There, David alludes to the Exodus 34:6 passage, saying “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”.”
Another passage that references Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, reads, “the LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.” “Abundant” is another way to think of “rich.” God has an abundance (is rich or abounding) in mercy and compassion.

from the new testament

The entire passage of Ephesians 2:1-10 describes our need for God’s mercy. We were dead in our sins, walking in the course of this world, doing our own thing. But God loved us so much He showed mercy to us and sent Christ to die and pay the price for our sins. He moved us from a position of dead in sin to alive in Christ when we placed our faith in Him. We are even metaphorically seated with Christ in heaven right now, have immeasurable riches, and will see Him face-to-face at His coming. That’s how amazing His mercy and grace is.
While “rich in mercy” is not used elsewhere in the New Testament, Peter uses a similar statement in 1 Peter 1:3-4: “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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” ).
God’s mercy is so lavishly rich that He shares Jesus’ inheritance with believers (Romans 8:7)!

implications for today

God is a God with an abundance of mercy that He lavishes upon believers. So, for those of us who are already saved, we should continue to remind ourselves of just how great a mercy God has extended to us. He had every right to condemn us to Hell for our rebellion. However, not only has He removed the judgement against us through Jesus’ death, but He has “seated us in the heavenly places” such that one day we will share in Jesus’ inheritance as adopted sons and daughters.

But, what about those who are not saved? They are currently under the wrath of God (John 3:36). They are not awaiting judgement…they are already judged as sinners and are awaiting a death sentence. Death is the only thing keeping them from entering an eternity in Hell. However, just as believers were once also destined to Hell (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), God is a God who washes and saves (1 Corinthians 6:11). This should encourage us to tell everyone about God’s rich mercy so that one day they can proclaim, “I was a rebel, deserving death, but God being rich in mercy saved me to display His abounding grace for all eternity!”

understand

God being rich in mercy means His mercy is abundant, not minimal.
God’s mercy rescues sinners and seats them with Christ.
God is rich in mercy and offers eternal hope even to the most undeserving.

reflect

When have you felt most aware that God’s mercy was overflowing in your life, even when you didn’t deserve it?
How does remembering that God is “rich in mercy” change the way you respond to your sins or failures?
What practical step can you take this week to live more gratefully in light of the mercy God has lavished on you?

engage

How does Ephesians 2:4–7 challenge our idea that salvation is earned by good behavior?
What does it reveal about God that He chooses to display His mercy so abundantly to us rather than just give “enough”?
How can we as believers collectively reflect God’s rich mercy to the world around us?