Ephesians 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And you hath he quickened - This chapter should not have been separated from the preceding, with which it is most intimately connected. As Christ fills the whole body of Christian believers with his fullness, (Eph 1:23), so had he dealt with the converted Ephesians, who before were dead in trespasses, and dead in sins. Death is often used by all writers, and in all nations, to express a state of extreme misery. The Ephesians, by trespassing and sinning, had brought themselves into a state of deplorable wretchedness, as had all the heathen nations; and having thus sinned against God, they were condemned by him, and might be considered as dead in law - incapable of performing any legal act, and always liable to the punishment of death, which they had deserved, and which was ready to be inflicted upon them. Trespasses, παραπτωμασι, may signify the slightest deviation from the line and rule of moral equity, as well as any flagrant offense; for these are equally transgressions, as long as the sacred line that separates between vice and virtue is passed over. Sins, ἁμαρτιαις, may probably mean here habitual transgression; sinning knowingly and daringly.
Open source ↗GOD'S LOVE AND GRACE IN QUICKENING US, ONCE DEAD, THROUGH CHRIST. HIS PURPOSE IN DOING SO: EXHORTATION BASED ON OUR PRIVILEGES AS BUILT TOGETHER, AN HOLY TEMPLE, IN CHRIST, THROUGH THE SPIRIT. (Eph. 2:1-22) And you--"You also," among those who have experienced His mighty power in enabling them to believe (Eph 1:19-23). hath he quickened--supplied from the Greek (Eph 2:5). dead--spiritually. (Col 2:13). A living corpse: without the gracious presence of God's Spirit in the soul, and so unable to think, will, or do aught that is holy. in trespasses . . . sins--in them, as the element in which the unbeliever is, and through which he is dead to the true life. Sin is the death of the soul. Isa 9:2; Joh 5:25, "dead" (spiritually), Ti1 5:6. "Alienated from the life of God" (Eph 4:18). Translate, as Greek, "in your trespasses," &c. "Trespass" in Greek, expresses a FALL or LAPSE, such as the transgression of Adam whereby he fell. "Sin." (Greek, "hamartia") implies innate corruption and ALIENATION from God (literally, erring of the mind from the rule of truth), exhibited in acts of sin (Greek, "hamartemata"). BENGEL, refers "trespasses" to the Jews who had the law, and yet revolted from it; "sins," to the Gentiles who know not God.
Open source ↗And you hath he quickened,.... The design of the apostle in this and some following verses, is to show the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and to set forth the sad estate and condition of man by nature, and to magnify the riches of the grace of God, and represent the exceeding greatness of his power in conversion: the phrase hath he quickened, is not in the original text, but is supplied from Eph 2:5, where it will be met with and explained: here those who are quickened with Christ, and by the power and grace of God, are described in their natural and unregenerate estate, who were dead in trespasses and sins; not only dead in Adam, in whom they sinned, being their federal head and representative; and in a legal sense, the sentence of condemnation and death having passed upon them; but in a moral sense, through original sin, and their own actual transgressions: which death lies in a separation from God, Father, Son, and Spirit, such are without God, and are alienated from the life of God, and they are without Christ, who is the author and giver of life, and they are sensual, not having the Spirit, who is the spirit of life; and in a deformation of the image of God, such are dead as to their understandings, wills, and affections, with respect to spiritual things, and as to their capacity to do any thing that is spiritually good; and in a loss of original righteousness; and in a privation of the sense of sin and misery; and in a servitude to sin, Satan, and the world: hence it appears, that man must be in himself unacceptable to God, infectious and hurtful to his fellow creatures, and incapable of helping himself: so it was usual with the Jews to call a wicked and ignorant man, a dead man; they say (i), "there is no death like that of those that transgress the words of the la…
Open source ↗The miserable condition of the Ephesians by nature is here in part described. Observed, 1. Unregenerate souls are dead in trespasses and sins. All those who are in their sins, are dead in sins; yea, in trespasses and sins, which may signify all sorts of sins, habitual and actual, sins of heart and of life. Sin is the death of the soul. Wherever that prevails there is a privation of all spiritual life. Sinners are dead in state, being destitute of the principles, and powers of spiritual life; and cut off from God, the fountain of life: and they are dead in law, as a condemned malefactor is said to be a dead man. 2. A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world, Eph 2:2. In the first verse he speaks of their internal state, in this of their outward conversation: Wherein, in which trespasses and sins, in time past you walked, you lived and behaved yourselves in such a manner as the men of the world are used to do. 3. We are by nature bond-slaves to sin and Satan. Those who walk in trespasses and sins, and according to the course of this world, walk according to the prince of the power of the air. The devil, or the prince of devils, is thus described. See Mat 12:24, Mat 12:26. The legions of apostate angels are as one power united under one chief; and therefore what is called the powers of darkness elsewhere is here spoken of in the singular number. The air is represented as the seat of his kingdom: and it was the opinion of both Jews and heathens that the air is full of spirits, and that there they exercise and exert themselves. The devil seems to have some power (by God's permission) in the lower region of the air; there he is at hand to tempt men, and to do as much mischief to the world as he can: but it is the comfort and joy of God's people that he who is head…
Open source ↗2:1-10 Paul reflects on the terrible situation of the believers before they believed in Christ and the grace of God that has spared them. 2:1-3 Paul’s readers were once like dead people before God (see 2:5; Col 2:13). Because of their disobedience and sins, driven by the power of the devil, they were condemned along with the rest of the world to suffer God’s judgment.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) παράπτωμα (paráptōma, G3900) — a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract)
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἄρχων (árchōn, G758) — a first (in rank or power) ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ἀήρ (aḗr, G109) — by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally circumambient) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… ἐνεργέω (energéō, G1754) — to be active, efficient
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀναστρέφω (anastréphō, G390) — to overturn; also to return; by implication, to busy oneself, i.e. remain, live ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever ἐπιθυμία (epithymía, G1939) — a longing (especially for what is forbidden) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) θέλημα (thélēma, G2307) — a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose,… διάνοια (diánoia, G1271) — deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being πλούσιος (ploúsios, G4145) — wealthy; figuratively, abounding with ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἔλεος (éleos, G1656) — compassion (human or divine, especially active) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) παράπτωμα (paráptōma, G3900) — a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or (wilful) transgression συζωοποιέω (syzōopoiéō, G4806) — to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively) Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… συνεγείρω (synegeírō, G4891) — to rouse (from death) in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to revivify (spirtually) in… συγκαθίζω (synkathízō, G4776) — to give (or take) a seat in company with ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐπουράνιος (epouránios, G2032) — above the sky Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… ἐπέρχομαι (epérchomai, G1904) — to supervene, i.e. arrive, occur, impend, attack, (figuratively) influence ἐνδείκνυμι (endeíknymi, G1731) — to indicate (by word or act) ὑπερβάλλω (hyperbállō, G5235) — to throw beyod the usual mark, i.e. (figuratively) to surpass (only active participle… πλοῦτος (ploûtos, G4149) — wealth (as fulness), i.e. (literally) money, possessions, or (figuratively) abundance,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… χρηστότης (chrēstótēs, G5544) — usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you δῶρον (dōron, G1435) — a present; specially, a sacrifice θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act ἵνα μή (hína mḗ, G3363) — in order (or so) that not τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object καυχάομαι (kaucháomai, G2744) — to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐσμέν (esmén, G2070) — we are αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ποίημα (poíēma, G4161) — a product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively) κτίζω (ktízō, G2936) — to fabricate, i.e. found (form originally) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very προετοιμάζω (proetoimázō, G4282) — to fit up in advance (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently μνημονεύω (mnēmoneúō, G3421) — to exercise memory, i.e. recollect; by implication, to punish; also to rehearse ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἀκροβυστία (akrobystía, G203) — the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e. gentile, figuratively, unregenerate)… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… περιτομή (peritomḗ, G4061) — circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively) χειροποίητος (cheiropoíētos, G5499) — manufactured, i.e. of human construction
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) χωρίς (chōrís, G5565) — at a space, i.e. separately or apart from (often as preposition) Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἀπαλλοτριόω (apallotrióō, G526) — to estrange away, i.e. (passively and figuratively) to be non-participant πολιτεία (politeía, G4174) — citizenship; concretely, a community Ἰσραήλ (Israḗl, G2474) — Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ξένος (xénos, G3581) — foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or… διαθήκη (diathḗkē, G1242) — properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will) ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νυνί (nyní, G3570) — just now ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being μακράν (makrán, G3112) — at a distance (literally or figuratively) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐγγύς (engýs, G1451) — akin to the base of G43 (ἀγκάλη)); near (literally or figuratively, of place or time) αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ἀμφότερος (amphóteros, G297) — (in plural) both εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λύω (lýō, G3089) — to "loosen" (literally or figuratively) μεσότοιχον (mesótoichon, G3320) — a partition (figuratively) φραγμός (phragmós, G5418) — a fence, or inclosing barrier (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.