Ephesians Chapter 2 Alive and One in Christ
Ephesians 2:1-10
Verse 1 - 3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
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How are believers described before we believed on and received Christ?
We are described as having been dead in our transgressions and sins. We all, at one time followed the ways of the world. Our desire was to gratify the cravings of our sinful nature. Notice that the fruit of our sinful nature is to produce worldly desires and thoughts. We tend to underestimate "thinking" about something. But what we think about produces action. That is why the Greek word for repentance actually means to change the way we think....which will change the way we act. Have you ever had a craving for something? Cravings are difficult and powerful and sometimes feel impossible to ignore. These cravings are sometimes referred to as "the appetite of the flesh" and we can live in bondage to that worldly appetite. For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16) The fact that all people, without exception, commit sin proves that we all have a sinful nature. We are lost in our sin and cannot save ourselves. Paul says that we are "objects of wrath" which means that those who reject Christ are to receive God's wrath. By nature we want to do what naturally appeals to our self-centered desires....even to the point that hearing about "God's wrath" is looked upon as an unfair punishment rather than a result of our own poor or uninformed choices. |
What is the difference between a transgression and a sin?
Sin is an intentional, and willful disobedience. Transgressions/trespasses are basically non-intentional slip-ups. However, these are a distinction without a difference. Notice that both lead to death but we easily justify our transgressions. Justification is a desperate defense of our sinful nature. What is meant by "the ruler of the kingdom of the air"? Many people during Paul's day believed that Satan and the evil spiritual forces inhabited the region between earth and sky (Life Application Bible). But Satan, which means "Accuser" has only a temporary reign over those who choose to follow him in this life. Can the devil read or influence our thoughts? First Kings 8:39 says that God alone knows every human heart. There is no one else who has that ability. God knows what we will say before we can say it, while the thought is still formulating (Psalm 139:4). Satan cannot read our thoughts but he knows our nature. Satan and his demons have been observing and tempting human beings for thousands of years. Surely, they have learned a few things about us over the years. Even without the ability to know our thoughts, they can make a well-educated guess as to what we are thinking and then attempt to use that to their advantage. That is why we are commanded to “submit ourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7a), before we are told to “resist the devil” (James 4:7b). James 1:14 tells us that ultimately, all temptation to sin comes from our own sinful nature. [This is consistent with Ephesians 2:3] (Read More Blog Post) |
Verse 4- 5 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.
We were made alive, even though we were dead. Huh?
Before we gave and committed our life to Christ, we were enslaved to our sinful nature and were considered dead in our sin...or spiritually dead. To be spiritually dead is to be separated from God. Paul tells us in Romans 5:12, that sin and death entered the world and spread to all men through Adam’s sin. Additionally,Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death; sinners must die, because sin separates us from God. Any separation from the Source of Life is, naturally, death for us. But it is not just inherited sin that causes spiritual death; our own sinfulness contributes. But while we were in that spiritually “dead” condition, God saved us and made us alive in Christ. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14) Sin leads to death. The only way to escape that death is to come to Jesus through faith, drawn by the Holy Spirit. Having been made alive by God, we will never truly die – we have eternal life. Jesus said often that to believe in Him is to have eternal life (John 3:16, 36; 17:3). Even as believers, we will still feel like sinning...and we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). |
What is the difference between "dead in sin" and "dead to sin"?
"Dead in sin" is to be spiritually dead. That is the condition of anyone who does not believe in Christ. But "dead to sin" is what all believers are called to do after accepting Christ as our Savior. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin control your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Romans 6: 11-12 Those who have come to faith in Jesus are no longer to allow sin to control their lives. Instead, we offer ourselves to God to serve His purposes. Paul expands on this concept in Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Paul also said, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24) Does this mean as believers we will never sin? No...Paul made it clear that he continued to struggle with temptation and sin: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” (Romans 7:19-20). To be dead to sin means we no longer need to be controlled by our sin nature. Romans 6:17 teaches that “though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.” Before Christ, we are “slaves” to sin. Now we have a new Master. Sin continues to exist, but we are no longer dominated by it. As Christians, we have God’s Spirit within us to empower us. However, we still face temptation and must strive to stand against sin. We can live “dead to sin” as we follow Christ, knowing that our Lord will one day remove the curse of sin altogether (Revelation 22:3). (Ref: http://www.gotquestions.org/dead-to-sin.html) |
Verse 6-9 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.
Continuing the thought in the prior verses, Paul says, "And God raised us up with Christ". Just like Christ died o a physical death and was raised from the dead, when we were spiritually dead, God raised us up in Christ and we were made "alive" in Him.
But, how is it possible for us to be seated with Him in the heavenly realms? Just as Paul spoke of being blessed in the heavenly realms as speaking of eternal blessings (1:3), he is again talking about an eternal reservation made in heaven for us. Jesus is saving a seat for us next to Him! When a person has repented and placed their trust in Christ, they have finished all that they need to do. Any good works we do are a result of being saved not a way that we were saved. That is why Paul continues on to say that "it is by grace" that we are saved "through faith". Our salvation is a gift not based on merit or works but given in grace and received through faith. Everything that Paul has spoken about in his letter to the Ephesians underscores the message that we are not saved by any works or measure initiated by ourselves. It is God who chose us first (John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4). ---------------------- See comments at the end of Ephesians 4 Forgiving Others As Christ Forgave Us for an added perspective on what it means that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. |
Why is it significant that Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father?
On the cross Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30). When Jesus said that “it is finished” it comes from the Greek word “teleō” which means to “bring to an end, it is accomplished, to complete,” or “to finish” and the Greek construct of this sentence essentially means “paid in full.” It is an accounting term that was used to say “paid in full.” That is why Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19). His redemptive work was done, once and for all (Heb 10:10). Our “High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Heb 10:12). In the temple there was no seat because the priests work was never done and so he could never sit down and rest in the fact that he was finished for good (Heb 10:11). Since we are not saved by works we too can rest in the redemptive work of Christ. That’s why Jesus is now seated and get ready for this, there is a seat there for us too to sit in right now if you have already repented and trusted in this High Priest. (Ref: for complete article see: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/11/12/what-does-it-mean-to-be-seated-with-christ-in-the-heavenly-places/) |
Verse 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We are God's work of art,,,His workmanship! He has created us and predestined us to be molded in the image of Christ. To allow the Holy Spirit to transform our character into the character of Christ, equipped to do all the good works that He planned in advance for us to do
In fact, this is what Jesus said about the matter: "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will remain - so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you." (John 15:16) "...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4-6) |
What does it mean that good works are the result of salvation? (Full Article)
Before we knew Christ, we were ruled by our sin nature (2:2). This doesn't mean that we were not capable of doing good works. There are many atheists and agnostics that do good deeds. But before we were saved, our works were done in the flesh and could not please God because they provided a false estimation of ourselves. God’s goal in saving us was not only to rescue us from hell, but also that we would reflect His character and goodness to the world. God delights to see us becoming more like His Son (Romans 8:29). We were created in God’s image. Sin marred that image. When God bought us back for Himself, it was to restore His image in us and free us to become all we were created to be. When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us, He prompts us to do things that glorify God (John 14:26). Our desire to please God grows as our understanding of Him grows. That desire to please God results in good works. Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen |
Ephesians 2:11-22
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Verse 11-12 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Verse 11-12 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Is Paul saying that the Jewish people were superior?
No, in fact he is pointing out that both Jews and Gentiles alike were unclean before God and needed to be cleansed by Christ. Jews; however, did view Gentiles as unclean; that is why Jews were not permitted to even eat at the home of a Gentile. Gentiles did have an opportunity of converting to Judaism through circumcision. Those that remained uncircumcised were excluded from the covenant teachings of Israel. They were considered without hope because they were unfamiliar with God's promises. |
What does it mean to be a "true Jew"? Hypocrite anyone? (Warning: these words in the mirror are closer than they appear)
"Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind,....because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth - you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?....You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' [Ouch! When you disobey God, you dishonor His name and may lead others to do the same ....especially if we act judgmental regarding the behavior of others]...The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you....A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code." (Romans 2:17....29) |
Verse 13-17 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
What does it mean those who are "far away" and those that are "near"?.
Those that are "near" was a reference to the Jews. They were near to God because they already knew of Him through the Scriptures and worshiped Him in their religious ceremonies [which were often a foreshadowing of Christ]. The Gentiles were "far away" because they knew little or nothing about God. Interestingly, neither Jew or Gentile could be saved by their good deeds, religious practices or sincerity. Both were united in their common need of salvation through Jesus Christ. Both Jews and Gentiles are now free to come to God through Christ. What does it mean that Christ purposed to make one new man of the two? There was more than great resentment between Jews and Gentiles....there was downright hostility. Jews were not permitted to enter or eat at the home of a Gentiles because they were viewed as unclean (Acts 10:28). Gentiles responded antagonistically to being viewed and treated this way. But Jesus ended the angry resentment between Jews and Gentiles caused by the Jewish laws that favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles. Christ died to abolish that whole system of Jewish laws. Then He took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of Himself. "One new man" means that Christ made a single entity or person out of the two. Thus he used all believers together to become one in Himself. Life Application: There are many barriers that can divide us from other Christians: age, appearance, intelligence, political persuasion, economic status, race, theological perspective. One of the best ways to stifle Christ's love is to be friendly with only those people that we like. Fortunately, Christ has knocked down the barriers and has unified all believers in one family. His cross should be the focus of our unity. The Holy Spirit helps us look beyond the barriers to the unit we are called to enjoy. |
What is spiritual circumcision?
In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision [rebellion] of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:11-14) Before we believed in Christ our nature was evil. We disobeyed, rebelled and ignored God. Even at our best, we did not love Him with all our heart, soul and ;mind. The Christian however, has a new nature. God has crucified the old rebellious nature and replaced it with a new loving nature. The penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. [The written code that was canceled was the legal demands of the Law. The Law opposed by its demands for payment for our sin. Though no one can be saved by merely keeping that code, the moral truths and principles still teach and guide today.] God declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin's power. This doesn't mean that we won't sin or that we won't even be drawn to sinful behavior and ideas. The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature - we didn't have the means to resist temptations. But now we are free to live for Christ (Galatians 2:20). By also remembering that our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ gives us a powerful motive to resist sin. Not wanting the desires or our past to come back to power again, we can consciously choose to treat our desires as if they were dead. We can lay them at Christ's feet as a spiritual sacrifice. And each time we do that, we are crucifying our old nature. "Putting off the old nature" is a type of spiritual circumcision. How do we desire to crucify the flesh? http://www.gotquestions.org/renewing-the-mind.html |
Verse 18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Coming to God the Father, by the Son, through the Holy Spirit
This verse has great significance in understanding the purpose and relationship of the Trinity. There is One God, who exists in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. And these Three are each fully, equally, and eternally God. Prayer is essentially talking with God. But communication with God requires access to His presence. Verse 18 shows us that our access to God involves all three Persons of the Trinity. So when we pray we come to the Father, by way of access because of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, through the Holy Spirit. Read related article Rescue Your Prayer Life |
Why We Have Confidence in our Prayers
Sometimes we hesitate to pray.
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Verse 19 - 22 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.
Have you ever heard someone refer to a church building as God's house?
I have....and I'm sure people meant that it is a building dedicated to God for the purpose of assembling together in worship and service. However, we tend to think of the Church as a building....as if God lives in the building. But as we have already established in Ephesians 1, God is too big to be contained in any building. The Church is the people! This was a total reorganization of thought for 1st Century believers. God lives in us and shows Himself to a watching world through us. People can see that God is love and that Christ is Lord as we live in harmony with each other and in accordance with what God says in His Word. We are citizens of God's kingdom and members of His household. With this in mind, what does it mean to go to church, to bring someone to church? |