Ephesians 2
BSB1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. 11 Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace 16 and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.
Study Notes — Ephesians 2
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Ephesians 2
- Themes from Ephesians 2
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Ephesians 2
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Ephesians chapter 2 begins by describing the spiritual condition of unbelievers, who are dead in their sins and followers of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-3). However, God, who is rich in mercy, loves sinners and saves them by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-9). Believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for them to do (Ephesians 2:10). The chapter also discusses the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers, who are united in Christ and reconciled to God and to each other (Ephesians 2:11-22).
Context for the Chapter
Ephesians chapter 2 is part of a larger letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus. The chapter follows the introduction and praise of God's plan of salvation in chapter 1, and it precedes the discussion of the mystery of the church and the role of believers as ambassadors of Christ in chapters 3-6. The chapter is also part of the larger narrative of the Bible, which tells the story of God's creation, humanity's rebellion, and God's plan to redeem sinners through Jesus Christ.
Heart Application
As believers, we should be humbled by the fact that our salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. We should also be motivated to live out our faith in practical ways, doing the good works that God has prepared for us to do. Furthermore, we should strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, recognizing that we are all one body in Christ.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Ephesians chapter 2 explains how God saves sinners by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Before salvation, believers were dead in their sins and separated from God, but through faith in Christ, they are made alive and united with God and with each other. As believers, we should be humbled by God's grace and motivated to live out our faith in practical ways, doing the good works that God has prepared for us to do, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-10.
Voices from the Church
“Faith is the instrument by which we receive the righteousness of Christ, and the forgiveness of sins.”
— John Calvin
“The doctrine of justification by faith is the grandest of all doctrines, and the one that gives the greatest glory to God.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- The Spiritual State of Unbelievers (Ephesians 2:1-3) — Unbelievers are described as being dead in their sins, following Satan, and living in the flesh.
- The Richness of God's Mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5) — God is rich in mercy and loves sinners, saving them by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
- The Unity of Believers (Ephesians 2:11-22) — Believers are united with Christ and with each other, forming one body and one temple in the Lord.
- The Purpose of Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10) — Believers are saved by grace through faith, and created in Christ Jesus for good works.
- The Temple of God (Ephesians 2:19-22) — Believers are being built into a holy temple in the Lord, with Christ as the cornerstone.
Core Doctrines
- Justification by Faith
- Ephesians chapter 2 teaches that believers are justified by faith, apart from works of the law (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- The Unity of the Church
- The chapter emphasizes the unity of believers, who are one body in Christ and are being built into a holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:19-22).
- The Sovereignty of God
- The chapter highlights God's sovereignty in salvation, as He saves sinners by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).
- The Depravity of Humanity
- The chapter describes the spiritual state of unbelievers, who are dead in their sins and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1-3).
Lessons from Ephesians 2
- The Importance of Humility — Believers should be humbled by the fact that their salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
- The Power of Faith — Faith is the instrument by which believers receive the righteousness of Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
- The Unity of the Church — Believers should strive to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, recognizing that they are all one body in Christ.
- The Purpose of Salvation — Believers are saved by grace through faith, and created in Christ Jesus for good works.
- The Sovereignty of God — God is sovereign in salvation, saving sinners by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Themes from Ephesians 2
- Salvation by Grace — Ephesians chapter 2 emphasizes that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.
- The Unity of the Church — The chapter highlights the unity of believers, who are one body in Christ and are being built into a holy temple in the Lord.
- The Depravity of Humanity — The chapter describes the spiritual state of unbelievers, who are dead in their sins and separated from God.
- The Power of Faith — Faith is the instrument by which believers receive the righteousness of Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
- The Sovereignty of God — God is sovereign in salvation, saving sinners by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the spiritual state of unbelievers, according to Ephesians 2:1-3?
- How does God save sinners, according to Ephesians 2:4-5?
- What is the purpose of salvation, according to Ephesians 2:8-10?
- How are believers united with Christ and with each other, according to Ephesians 2:11-22?
- What is the role of faith in justification, according to Ephesians 2:8-9?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Spiritual State of Unbelievers (Ephesians 2:1-3)
| 2:1 | Unbelievers are described as being dead in their sins, following Satan, and living in the flesh. |
| 2:2 | They are said to be following the course of this world, and living according to the prince of the power of the air. |
2. The Richness of God's Mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5)
| 2:4 | God is rich in mercy and loves sinners, saving them by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. |
| 2:5 | Even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ. |
3. The Unity of Believers (Ephesians 2:11-22)
| 2:11 | Believers are said to be formerly Gentiles, separated from Christ and from God's people. |
| 2:12 | They were without hope and without God in the world, but now they are brought near by the blood of Christ. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of 'dead in sins' in Ephesians 2:1?
To be dead in sins means to be spiritually separated from God and unable to respond to Him, as seen in Ephesians 2:1-3. This is a result of Adam's sin and humanity's rebellion against God, as described in Romans 5:12-19 and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
How does God save sinners, according to Ephesians 2:4-5?
According to Ephesians 2:4-5, God saves sinners by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a gift of God, and not a result of human effort or merit, as seen in Romans 3:24-25 and Galatians 2:16.
What is the purpose of salvation, according to Ephesians 2:8-10?
The purpose of salvation is to create believers in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for them to do, as seen in Ephesians 2:10 and Matthew 5:16.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ephesians 2:1 → Psalm 51:5 | The concept of being dead in sins is also seen in Psalm 51:5, where David acknowledges his sin and separation from God. |
| 2 | Ephesians 2:4 → Romans 5:8 | The richness of God's mercy is also seen in Romans 5:8, where Paul writes that God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. |
| 3 | Ephesians 2:5 → John 5:24 | The idea of being made alive together with Christ is also seen in John 5:24, where Jesus says that those who hear His word and believe in Him have eternal life. |
| 4 | Ephesians 2:8 → Romans 3:24 | The concept of being justified by faith is also seen in Romans 3:24, where Paul writes that we are justified by faith apart from works of the law. |
| 5 | Ephesians 2:11 → Deuteronomy 21:23 | The concept of being separated from Christ and from God's people is also seen in Deuteronomy 21:23, where the curse of being hung on a tree is described. |
| 6 | Ephesians 2:12 → Romans 1:20-23 | The idea of being without hope and without God in the world is also seen in Romans 1:20-23, where Paul describes the spiritual state of unbelievers. |
| 7 | Ephesians 2:14 → Isaiah 57:19 | The concept of Christ being our peace is also seen in Isaiah 57:19, where God says that He will create peace for those who are far off and near. |
| 8 | Ephesians 2:19 → Leviticus 26:12 | The idea of being no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints, is also seen in Leviticus 26:12, where God says that He will be their God and they will be His people. |
| 9 | Ephesians 2:20 → 1 Corinthians 3:11 | The concept of Christ being the cornerstone is also seen in 1 Corinthians 3:11, where Paul writes that no one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. |
| 10 | Ephesians 2:22 → 1 Peter 2:5 | The idea of being built into a holy temple in the Lord is also seen in 1 Peter 2:5, where Peter writes that believers are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God. |
Sermons on Ephesians 2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Alabama) the Prodigal by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares a heart-to-heart talk about the story of the Prodigal Son from the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing the uncond |
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Deliverance - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to him as the first step to becoming a true overcomer. He then advises his audience to sell their possessions an |
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(1 Peter - Part 2): God's Abundant Mercy by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a man who wanted to look presentable before going to a fine place. However, he was rejected because the artist wanted him as he wa |
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Where Is the Fire? by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young man who came to his office. The young man had been in Nicaragua and witnessed the power of God there. He tells the speaker |
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Humble Thyself by Gbile Akanni | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and avoiding pride in our actions and achievements. He warns against seeking personal glory and attention instead |
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Behold He Prayeth by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for the church to wake up and stand up in this critical hour of history. He highlights the seduction of worldly distractions like TV |
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Victory Over One's Worst Enemy by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead emphasizes that our greatest enemy is ourselves, revealing his personal struggles with spirituality and critical attitudes during his missionary work in Africa. He s |
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A Free Salvation by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, preached by H. Spurgeon on June 11, 1858, the speaker invites the audience to come and buy wine and milk without money and without price. He describes the gospel as |
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How to Find Your Place by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding and fulfilling the good works that God has prepared for each individual. He contrasts two different approaches take |
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Be Rich: Saints Alive by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the characteristics of a saint. He explains that a saint is someone who has trusted in God's Son and experienced His grace. Additionally, a s |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ephesians 2
Matthew Henry's commentary on Ephesians 2 emphasizes the riches of God's mercy and the greatness of His love towards sinners. Henry writes that God's mercy is not only a feeling, but a principle of action, by which He saves sinners and makes them alive together with Christ. He also highlights the importance of faith in justification, and the unity of believers, who are one body in Christ and are being built into a holy temple in the Lord. As Henry notes, 'We are not only reconciled to God, but to one another, and are made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Spiritual State of Unbelievers
Unbelievers are described as being dead in their sins, following Satan, and living in the flesh (Ephesians 2:1-3). They are separated from Christ and from God's people.
The Richness of God's Mercy
God is rich in mercy and loves sinners, saving them by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).
The Unity of Believers
Believers are united with Christ and with each other, forming one body and one temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:19-22).