Ephesians: Chapter 2

Chapter 1 emphasized our possessions in Christ; Chapter 2. emphasizes our position in Christ. Your POSITION determines both your POSSESSIONS and AUTHORITY. Remember, Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter. The Power of God that raised Jesus from the grave and crowned Him with Glory and Honor is the same Power that now works in our very own lives, raising us from spiritual death and seating us in Christ in the heavenlies. God knew Adam and Eve would commit sin and lose their relationship with Him. So why did He bother? The answers are in Chapter 2., and preparation for the Mystery of the Church in chapter 3. Keep these Truths in mind as we study Chapter 2; and preview Chapter 3.

2:1

And you (Believers) He made Alive (spiritually) when you were dead~ slain or condemned to death~ (spiritually) because of your trespasses and sins. The “result” is what we earned ~ spiritual death ~ eternal separation from God. There are two types of death: One is Physical: Our soul is separated from our body. The other is Spiritual: We, our soul (this is our very identity), is eternally separated from God. This is referred to as the “second death”. Which is the most crucial? An unbeliever is not sick with sin; he is dead! A non-believer does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection. Remember, a corpse never hears any conversation at the funeral parlor.

2:2

In the condition of sin, you at one time walked and lived in sin. You were following the course and fashion of this world (the influence and tendency of the present age of sin). You followed the prince of the power of the air (this ‘prince’ is Satan and his demons). You were under the control of and obedient to this demon spirit; that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience (these are the rebellious, careless, unbelieving people who go against the purposes of God). Unbelievers think they are in control of their lives. Yet, the Truth is that the evil spiritual influences control them, and they don’t even know it! Those who are following evil don’t even realize they are on the path to destruction and death. Keep in mind that everyone is either following Jesus, OR following Satan.

2:3

Among these people (the physical living, yet spiritually dead) we, as well as you, once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions and lusts of our flesh. (Our behavior was governed by our corrupt and sensual nature) Obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind (our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings) We were then by nature children of God’s wrath and heirs of His indignation, just like the rest of mankind. In other words, we were in the same boat, a sinking ship, like the Titanic, heading for eternal destruction.

2:4

But God, who is so rich in His mercy; because of, and in order to satisfy His great and wonderful and eternally intense love with which He loves us, (These attributes of God are His eternal and everlasting ways of Who He is). God IS LOVE.

2:5

Even when we were dead in our sins; slain by our own shortcomings and sinful trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ, Jesus! God gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life within which He quickened Him, for it is by Grace alone, (God’s favor and mercy which we did not deserve) that we are saved and delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation. Analyze this very carefully, and you will see that God made us alive (spiritually) and brought us into a ‘oneness’ with Jesus; giving us the same new, eternal life that Jesus possesses. God had mercy on us to deliver us from what we deserved: Death and separation from God. Instead, He gives us Grace, the undeserved gift of Eternal Life! We can do absolutely nothing to earn this gift; all we ever “earned” was eternal death! See Romans 6:23.

2:6

Further, God raised us up together with Jesus and made us sit down together (giving us joint seating with Him, positionally,) in the heavenly sphere (all by virtue of our being in Christ Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One). Notice the important term “in Christ Jesus”. That position of being “one” with Jesus is very, very important! Read John 17 and put your name in the appropriate places and you will begin to understand what Jesus has done for you.

2:7

God did all this so that He might clearly demonstrate through all the ages to come the immeasurable, limitless, surpassing riches of His free gift of Grace, (His unmerited favor to us) in His kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. Here we see another confirmation of God’s overwhelming goodness and love, that He makes it so clear that He loves us, no matter how evil and sinful we are. How can we not respond in gratitude and humbleness and seek to confess our sinfulness, repent and turn away from our sins; and accept His gift of forgiveness. Woe to the person who rejects such an incredible gift.

2:8-9

Yes, it is by God’s free unmerited favor of Grace that you are saved and delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation through your faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves, (of your own doing; it never comes through your own striving) It is ALWAYS the gift of God. Not because of your works (not the fulfillment of the Law’s demand) lest any man should boast. We can absolutely never claim that we did ANYTHING to ‘earn’ or ‘merit’ Eternal Life. Eternal life is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself or herself in it or take glory to themself.

2:10

We are God’s own handiwork (His workmanship) recreated in Christ Jesus, (born again) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned before time began) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time). So exactly how do we determine what is God’s Will for our lives and obey it? These simple but important steps must be taken: 1) Confess and turn away from sin as soon as we are aware of it. 2) Yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. 3) Study God’s Word to discern His Will, then obey it. (See James 2: 8, 14-20, 24) Spend time in prayer every day. 5) Respond to opportunities for service, as God leads you. 6) Seek the fellowship and counsel of other true Believers.

2:11

Paul now focuses on the work of Christ for us Gentiles. Therefore, remember that at one time you were gentile heathens in the flesh, called uncircumcised by those who called themselves circumcised. Jews were set apart by God, chosen ones. Yet their inward hearts were described as uncircumcised, meaning that they were not true believers in God. Do we know those who claim, or appear on the outside, to be Christians, yet their actions and lifestyles betray their true beliefs? Pray for them

2:12

Paul continues to remind us of our pathetic status before we became Believers. We were separated from Christ, utterly estranged, and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation and were strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the Messianic promise. We were ignorant of God’s covenants and promises. We had no hope and were in the world without God. Those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Lord are in this same condition right now. They are without hope, ignorant of the wonderful promises and covenants God has for His children.

2:13-15

But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away, through and by the blood of Christ Jesus, have now been brought near. For now, Jesus Himself is our peace. He is our bond of unity and harmony. Jesus has made us both, Jew, and Gentile, one Body in Christ. He has broken down and destroyed and completely abolished the hostile dividing wall between us. This mystery reveals that Jesus has united Jews and Gentiles! Remember, Jews only were allowed in the Temple. To enter the Temple (Holy Place) meant death to a Gentile. See Acts 21:28-31.
By dying on the cross, Jesus has paid the ultimate price demanded by the law ~ death ~ and abolished the law by bringing Grace and peace. The ‘new man’ is the Believer; Jew or Gentile, who accepts Jesus as Messiah ~ Savior.

2:16-17

Jesus has now created one Body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles are now the Church. Jews and Gentiles are now fellow members of the Body of Christ. Neither Jews nor Gentiles are under the law anymore. All this brings us peace, we are no longer separated but are reconciled to one another and to Christ Jesus. All those who look for ‘divisions’ are ignoring this Truth. Jesus came and preached peace to you. That peace was for those near and far (Jew and Gentile). This peace is for us, today, through the Holy Spirit. As we forgive others, God forgives us, and we have Peace. We are then able to follow and obey the Will of God through the Holy Spirit.

2:18

Through Him, Jesus, we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. The mystery of the Trinity is revealed here. Jesus, Spirit and Father. We can enter into the presence of God through prayer. Think of it, we can enter the throne room of the universe, kneel down before our Creator and address Him as Father. What peace and satisfaction this should bring us every day. Thank you, Lord Jesus!

2:19-20

Paul continues with this incredible Truth. Therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. We are privileged, first-class citizens of Heaven. With our new position “In Christ” we are a new creation, born again. We belong to God’s own household. I (speak your name) belong to God! We have the unbelievable privilege of coming into the Holy of Holies. Do we take advantage of that privilege as often as possible? Why not? We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief cornerstone. We are the Temple of God! The Holy Spirit lives within us as proof. Our foundation is in Christ Jesus.

2:21

In Christ we are joined together harmoniously, and we continue to grow and increase into a beautiful, magnificent, holy Temple in Christ. We, as Believers, are dedicated and are to be Sacred to the presence of our Lord and Savior. We are a Living Temple, growing and becoming Sanctified (being more Christ-like) each day, as we chose to obey the Will of God. Remember Jesus said, “upon this Rock I will build my Church”. That’s us! We are living stones, (according to 1 Peter 2:5) being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. All for the purpose of Glorifying God. What a wonderful purpose He has created us for.

2:22

We, in our own time, are part of the wonderful, amazing Body of Christ, being continually being built up, creating the marvelous Holy dwelling place of the Living God. We are instructed to Love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Our choice to obey the Will of God is crucial in our spiritual growth. We want to be In Christ in all we do, say, and think. Our key is God’s Word. His Word alone reveals to us, through prayer, His will for our lives. The more time we spend in His Word, praying for His Will in our lives, the more we will clearly be able to discern, through the Holy Spirit, God’s wonderful, joyous, exciting plan for our lives. Jesus promises us in John 10:10 that He came so that we would have and enjoy life in overflowing abundance. Let’s do everything we can to obey the Holy Spirit and stay in His Will and enjoy Life, health, and abundance!

As True and Faithful Believers, who continually pray and study God’s Word, we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God rewards those who seek Him with all their Heart, Soul and Mind. As you continue to search God’s Word for His Truth, He will reveal Himself to you. Be confident that God will reward you!