But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
God, who is rich--Greek "(as) being rich in mercy." for--that is, "because of His great love." This was the special ground of God's saving us; as "rich in mercy" (compare Eph 2:7; Eph 1:7; Rom 2:4; Rom 10:12) was the general ground. "Mercy takes away misery; love confers salvation" [BENGEL].
God showed love to the angels, but mercy to us, and mercy reaches only a creature in misery and distress. All His attributes are subject to His love; mercy, power, justice, and wisdom work in subordination to it. His love is so great it cannot be expressed; His mercy so rich it cannot be conceived, rich mercy means inexhaustible mercy.
AI summary
God is rich in mercy as men pride themselves in gold and silver. His wealth overflows; mercy is the abundance that characterizes Him. This great love is not earned or deserved by us, but flows from God's original and eternal love for man, which led Him to give a Saviour and bestow salvation.
AI summary