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I. WE MUST NOTICE THE PRIVILEGES THEMSELVES. These are twofold — "we have redemption," and we have "the forgiveness of sins." We shall speak of them in order: — and, First, with respect to redemption. It denotes a change of state from bondage to liberty; and thus may be considered as implying —

1. Deliverance from the power of our adversary the devil.

2. Redemption respects our deliverance from sin. It no longer reigns in those who are Christ's, although it may not yet be thoroughly eradicated.

3. This redemption, again, respects our deliverance from the fears of death — death corporeal, and death eternal.We now pass on to notice the other privilege mentioned in the text, and that is, "the forgiveness of sins."

1. This forgiveness is full. It reaches to all sins — past, present, and future.

2. This forgiveness is altogether free. The distinctive excellency of the gospel of Jesus Christ is freeness. All the blessings it brings are as free as the air we breathe.

II. THE PROCURING CAUSE OF THESE PRIVILEGES. Says the apostle, "In whom we have redemption." But who is He? Why the same who is referred to in the preceding verse. He in whom we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings. He in whom we were "chosen before the foundation of the world." He by whom we have received the adoption of children, and in whom we stand accepted in the sight of God. And who is He but the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom we read in another place, "that God having in time past spoken unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son"; and by Him alone, for "there is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved." Hence you will observe that it is seldom, perhaps never, that the sacred writers fail to direct us to Christ, when they unfold any distinguishing privilege, or fundamental doctrine of the gospel: so it is here, the apostle is tracing our salvation up to its source, the love of God, but he also refers to the channel through which it flows, and that is Christ.

III. WE MUST GLANCE AT THE ORIGINAL SOURCE. It is according to the "riches of His grace." Everything that God has done for sinners, shows us that He is a God of grace; but more especially in the coming of Christ, and in His elevation upon the cross, do we see the "riches of His grace." This surely ought to encourage sinners to draw near to God; "that "they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

(Essex Remembrancer.)

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KJV: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

WEB: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,