Proving grace

Markus Barth highlights the judicial cast of Paul’s statement in Ephesians 2:7 that we “show the surpassing riches of His grace.” The verb “show” or “prove” is a lawcourt term, pointing to the presentation of evidence or a judicial demonstration. God has raised us up in Jesus to the heavenly places as part of His case against humanity, as part of the demonstration of His righteousness and goodness. In God’s suit with the world, the church is the centerpiece of His defense and prosecution.