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Ephesians
Chapter Two
(Caleb Huang)
Detailed Verse by Verse Commentary
Eph. 2:1 “And
you He made alive, who were
dead in trespasses and sins,”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Trespasses” – lost, crosses the line, falls into error, depart from
the right path; “Sins” – missing the
mark.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases
“Dead”: This is referring to a spiritual deadness, that is, to be
cut off or separated from the life of God (Eph.
“Trespasses and sins”: All things that have the right nature, but
the more it crosses the line (set by God) then it becomes trespass; all things whose nature are themselves corrupted or evil,
then it is sins. The former
emphasizes the sins that are manifested; all the wrongful conducts that exceed
the scope of God’ will. The latter (i.e. sins) includes broadly all conduct and
positions that are immoral and not up to the standard of God’s intention.
“Dead in sins and offenses” includes the following meanings: 1) “Dead” – pointing to being dead
spiritually. From the perspective of man’s situation before God, although he is
living yet he is also dead, because they are “alienated from the life of God” (Eph.
“And you He made alive”: The original text does not have this
phrase. It was added by the translators of the Bible.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
“Dead” is to lose our life sensations and
abilities – from the positive standpoint, we could not sense the love of God,
we had no strength to do good and that which is well-pleasing to God; from the
negative standpoint, we were devoid of the least sense of the tyranny of sin
over us, and we had no strength to resist it
2)
For
each of us to understand what is God’s salvation, and to advance spiritually,
what is of foremost importance is that we realize what kind of a person we used
to be (before we were saved). Here, it points out that we were not only in sin
and offenses against God, but also that we were dead!
3)
To
ask a dead person to live a holy life is simply impossible. Since we already
know that we were formerly dead; therefore, the most important thing is for us
to overcome death.
4)
Sin
has done the most damage to humankind. It has caused death to reign over us
(Rom.
5)
Concerning
sin, there is not a single human who is unaffected – all were dead in sin and
offenses; the law, XXXXX all died in sins. Everyone is a participant in the
arena of trespasses and sins and perdition is the only fate shared by all.
6)
Once
a body loses its life, it will become ice cold and stiff. Being cold and
indifferent towards God, stiff-necked, cold and ruthless towards man, stodgy
towards things, are not characteristics of one who is walking in life, but one
who walks according to the dead letters and regulations.
7)
Once
a body is dead for a while, it will become stinky (John
Eph. 2:2 “In
which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Walked”
– conduct, manner, directs oneself; “this
world” – that which is of this world; “course”
– fashion, generation, worldly trend; “works”
– operates, energy, effort, moving force.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases:
“In which”: referring to the time before our salvation.
“You once walked” – refers to when we were in trespasses and sins.
“According to”: implies that one does not have opinion of his own,
to appoint others to lead the way for you.
“Course”: refers to the world that we see; also what’s
“fashionable,” “fad” or “what’s in;” a lot of people, esp. the young people,
likes what’s fashionable; once the wind of the fashion blows, the worldly
people get caught and revolve around it.
“The prince of the power of the air”: refers to Satan, who is the
leader of the evil spirits in the air (Eph.
“The sons of disobedience”: refers both to the will that revolt
against God and the people who rebel against God. The spirit of Satan moves
within man; if man were to follow him to do that which is not well-pleasing to
God, then they become sons of disobedience.
This verse speaks of the
works of the devil: 1) his sphere of activities – “in the air;” 2) his
associate workers in the air – “evil spirits;” 3) the time of his acitivities –
“now;” 4) the targets of his work – “
the sons of disobedience;” 5) his way of operation – he “works in” the hearts of man; 6) the content of his work – to cause
people to “walk according to the course
of this world” and to obey his desires; 7) the goal of his work – to caused
man to be like him in rebelling against God.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
If we
“walk according to the course of this
world” is equivalent to our following “the
prince of the power of the air,” Satan, because all kinds of circumstances
of this world throughout all generations are in the firm grasp of Satan to
confuse and to snare man.
2)
Our
living before we were saved were “according to the course of this world;”
within us, we were obeying the evil spirits; therefore, from God’s viewpoint,
we were “dead in trespasses and sins”
(2:1).
3)
“Sins”
are different from one era to another. Each generation has its own type of
sins, and each time period has its own type of sins. The “course of this world” is different from the course
of the previous generations.
4)
A non
born-again person cannot help but follow the course of this world. If he does
not follow the course of this world, he will feel like he has fallen behind,
unable to catch up with this worldly trend.
5)
When
the tidal current of fad and fashion come, most people will be swept into the
tide. Even though it is not worth the trouble and expenses, yet they willingly
go along for the gaining of what fading glory it offers. The reason is that
they have fallen into the spell of the evil spirits.
6)
Since
we Christians do not belong to this world, if we were to live according to the
course of this world, our living will be conformed to this world and we lose
our testimony of separation from this world – this will cause the Lord great
displeasure (Rom. 12:2, Jam. 4:4, 2 King 17:33).
7)
Though
we Christians live and have our being in this world, we are not living without
a purpose, but we live according to God’s will and the leading of the Holy
Spirit.
8)
We
Christians should live a life against the tide of this world, and not follow
the course of this world.
9)
Satan
is working hard within man. The sins of man is a clear sign that he is
diligently working in man.
10) If we give room to envy and strife within
the church, live in our flesh, then we are living “according to this world”
(1 Cor. 3:3) and also living “according
to the course of this world.”
Eph. 2:3 “Among whom also we all once conducted
ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Conducted” – to come and go, to live and move; “lusts” – intense desire; “fulfilling the desires of” – to satisfy;
“desires of” – wishes, (esp.
referring to the desire to do the wrong and prohibited things); “were by nature” – according to the
natural disposition or according to our nature.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases
“Conducted ourselves…”: unrestrained, let it loose freely.
“The flesh”: refers to the body after the fall of man; satan has
corrupted, ruined and changed the nature of the body of man into flesh; we now
have the evil personality, having a desire to sin and to do evil.
“Lusts”: refers to the abnormality of man by exceeding the normal
range of our desires.
“Fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind”: referring to satisfying the
desires of the flesh and the mind. The desires of the flesh pertain to the
outward things; while the desires of the mind pertain to the inward thoughts.
“And were by nature the children of wrath”: According to our nature,
we were no different from the others (unbelievers); our result/destination was
also the same… awaiting God’s judgment and wrath (Jn.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
The
worldly people have 3 enemies: a) the world, b) satan, c) the flesh. They
follow the world; obey the devil; and they conduct themselves according to the
flesh.
2)
The
world (the stage), satan (the director), and the flesh (the actor) coordinate
together to cause people to be dead in trespasses and sins.
3)
What
God desires to give us (His wish/desire), for instance our appetite for food.
Originally it is something good, but if it is not properly controlled, it can
bring damage/harm to us. Thus, a normal desire can become a fleshly selfish
desire, causing us harm; adding on top of that our “indulgences”; the result
will be quite dreadful.
4)
The “desires of the mind” are often
instituted by the “desires of the flesh.”
For this reason, we cannot simply follow all the desires of our hearts, lest we
sin against God.
5)
We
sinners are undeserving of anything from God. What we deserve is God’s wrath
and His judgment (because we were “children
of wrath”).
Eph. 2:4 “But
God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Mercy” – compassionate, sympathy, show solicitude for;
“Great love” – many, deep love, abundant love;
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases
“But God”: “But” describes a turn of event; “God” is man’s turning
point. Only God can give hope to mankind.
“Who is rich in mercy”: This word is specially directly to those who
are in suffering or poverty-striken state, showing a sympathetic heart as well
as give in a practical substantial manner of help. The condition of sinners and
God has too great an expanse of difference separating them, undeserving of
God’s love; thus there is a need first for His mercy, and this mercy is rich – unlimited and inexhaustible!
“Because of His great love with which He loved us”:
Love is the very nature
of God. God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). God’s love is great regardless of which angle
you examine it from: 1) The degree of His love is immense – a love that caused
Him to give us His Only-Begotten Son; 2) Its time is unlimited – His love is
unchanging; 3) Its value is immeasurable – His love is incomparable and
invaluable; 4) Its capacity is tremendous – everyone has the opportunity to
enjoy His love; 5) Its power is herculean – His love overcomes all obstacles.
God’s mercy is moved by
His compassion towards us; God’s great love is what motivated Him to send His
Only-Begotten Son into this world.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
It is
“but God” and not “but I; it is not
how I resolved, how I abstain from sinning, how I wanted to believe in the
Lord; rather it is “but God” Who has mercy on me.
2)
Our
sins are too numerous and heinous; without God being “rich in mercy,” there is
no way for us to be saved.
3)
God’s
mercy precedes His love; it even encompasses those of us who are unlovely.
Thus, He pulled us out of our pitiful condition to a lovely position with Him.
4)
God
will always use His mercy in dealing with us; only as we despise His mercy will
He deal with us according to His righteousness.
5)
Only
those who knows the love of God can fully appreciate the preciousness of His
salvation.
6)
Those
who feels aloof/indifferent towards the love of God cannot be greatly used by
Him.
Eph. 2:5 “Even
when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace
you have been saved),”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Made us alive” – to revive a person living in death.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases
“Made us”: This reveals that the love of God is initiated by the
Lord. It also manifests the fruits of His love in our lives.
“Made us alive together”: This is the first step of our salvation –
our human spirit has recovered its original function, that is to say, it has “passed from death into life” (Jn.
“(By grace you have been saved)”: This phrase in parenthesis is
explaining the immediate previous text. This indicates that our salvation is
not due to our own merit.
“Grace” is a magnanimous act of God through His mercy and great love
towards sinners.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
Being
“dead in trespasses” and “made alive together with Christ” are
what we experienced both before and after our salvation. Before we were saved,
we ignorantly committed sins and offenses without any sense of shame or
disgrace. After we are saved, our evil intentions are gradually being
dissolved, and we immediately lose our peace when we sin.
2)
To be
saved is to receive the Holy Spirit into us, causing our self/old man to die
and our spirit to be enliven, which is the experience of regeneration (Jn.
3:3-6).
3)
The
revival of our spirit is the beginning of God’s recovery work in us.
Eph. 2:6 “And
raised us up together, and made
us sit together in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus,”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Raised us up” – to raise us up from the dead.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words and Phrases
“And raised us up together”: This reveals that the love of God is
initiated by the Lord. It also manifests the fruits of His love in our lives.
The conjunction “and” indicates that
the “raised us up” differs from the previous
verse’s “made us alive.” To be raised up is the second step of our
salvation; this refers to the new life we received from God with its life
function and power, causing us to rise up from the grave, and be separated from
all the dead things and deeds.
“Made us sit together in the heavenly places”: This is the third
step of our salvation; this refers to a new position we have in Christ – in the
world but transcends above the world – though we are in the world, yet we live
a heavenly life, unperturbed by anything of this world. “Sit” includes the meaning of peace and security.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
God
saved us and caused us to overcome satan in Christ; He gave us His resurrection
life to overcome our flesh; and seated us together with Christ in the heavenly
places to overcome the world.
2)
Our
salvation is none other than what God has done for us in Christ – God already
made us alive together with Christ, raise us up together, and sit us together
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
3)
The
nature of the Church is the resurrection life of Christ – “raised us up.” All the natural activities and the concord of the
flesh are not of the Church.
4)
The
position of the Church is heavenly – “sit
us together in the heavenly places.” All the lowly things – things based on
the principles of this world, is not of the Church.
5)
The 3
“together”s in verses 5-6 point out:
all things are done by Christ Himself; it’s just that while Christ is
accomplishing these things, He included us; thus causing us to share in all of
His accomplishments.
6)
These 3 “together”s
do not have to wait until we see the Lord face to face before they become our
reality. These are realities that were long accomplished by God in the past;
therefore, we can apply these realities to be our subjective experience.
7)
Some
translation has “in the heaven” –
this phrase is more accurately translated “in
the heavenly places” according to the original Greek text. We Christians
have two habitats or spheres of living: we can enjoy the heavenly blessings while
still on the earth, that is, though we are on this earth, it is like we are in
the heavenly places.
8)
If we
stand upon our heavenly position to examine the things of the earth, we will no
longer crave after the things of this world.
9)
To
sit together with Christ is to share in the same vision, the same living, and
the same speaking as Him. Most Christians today only have the earthly
horizontal perspective, living a worldly life accompanied by a corrupt filthy
communications, because they are not seated in the heavenly places with Christ.
10) “Sit
in the heavenly places” indicates that we don’t need to struggle or to
strive, but to simply enjoy the victory of Christ. Though we are living in a
world of turmoil, we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the heavenly
places.
11) We must first be united with Christ for
us to enjoy His life and transcendency.
Eph. 2:7 “That
in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ
Jesus.”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Kindness” – gracious kindness, friendly gestures, benevolence,
generosity.
“Show” – to
unfold, to prove.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words or Phrases:
“The exceeding
riches of His grace”: God’s grace given to man to such a degree that it is
characterized as far surpassing/exceedingly transcending.
“In kindness
towards us”: God is merciful and loving; thus He granted to us His kindness
and given us His grace.
“Show”: to
exhibit and unveil for the whole universe to see.
“In the ages to
come”: refers to the infinite generations after the Church came into being,
including space and time and all the things contained therein.
This verse speaks of the goal of God’s salvation. It
encompasses what were mentioned in the previous 2 verses, verses 5 and 6; in
general, one can sum it up as His gracious kindness shown to us, with the goal
of showing to the innumerable ages to come the exceeding riches of His grace
toward us in Christ Jesus.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
The
riches of His grace shown to us is not due to our asking, but while we were in
ignorance, God has prepared all for us.
2)
All
of God’s gracious kindness was given to us “in
Christ Jesus.” If we depart out of Christ, we can no longer enjoy His
loving kindness.
3)
The
Church is not God’s testimony only in this age, but in all the ages to come He
will continue to use the Church as His expression.
Eph. 2:8 “For
by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“By” – the basis; “of” –
meanings the origin.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words or Phrases:
“By grace”:
points to the principle of what God has freely given to us.
“Through faith”
is the procedure by which man receives the grace of God.
“This” is a neuter word in the gender of the Greek
word; it neither refers to “grace”
nor to “faith,” because both faith and grace are feminine gender words; therefore, it should refer to “saved.”
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
All
things that pertain to our redemption are of God; none of it are of our own
doing.
2)
The
origin of our salvation is from God and not from man. It is even a gift from
God granted by Him. Therefore, salvation is not something that we can attain to
by ourselves, nor can we ever merit to receive it in ourselves.
3)
Our
receiving of His grace to be saved from God’s standpoint, it is entirely of His
free grace that caused Him to send the Lord Jesus to come and save us. From
man’s standpoint, we must simply receive it by faith.
4)
Truthfully
speaking, we cannot even say that the “faith”
is of ourselves; rather, it is the gift of God. We cannot produce any faith in
and of ourselves, the Lord Jesus is the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb.
12:2).
5)
Faith
is the way/path of receiving grace. All the spiritual realities are
received/touched/experienced through faith.
6)
When
we start our Christian life, we do not depend on our own conduct, but on the
grace that Christ has already accomplished for us. Our Christian life from the
beginning to the end all based on the principle of our full reliance on the
Lord Jesus.
7)
Paul
repeated the phrase in verse 5, “by grace you have been saved.” This is
probably due to his fear that we would deal with our difficulties through our
own effort. Formerly, we were saved by grace, our continual salvation is also
by grace (2 Cor.
8)
Just
as our initial faith by which we believed was given by God, the continual faith
in our daily living is also from God.
Eph. 2:9 “Not of works, lest anyone
should boast.”
Explanation on the Meaning of Words or Phrases:
Our salvation is
altogether of God’s grace and not have anything to do with our conduct. There
is absolutely nothing we can boast of in the matter pertaining to our
salvation.
Enlightenment
in the Word
1)
If
there is anyone who boasts of being saved through his own self-effort, it is
most likely the case that he is not truly saved.
2)
It is
very apparent that God does not want man to boast in things pertaining to
spiritual matters (
Eph.
Literal Meaning of Each Word or Phrase:
“Workmanship” – a masterpiece (such as a piece of artwork), a
carefully produced product, craftsmanship, a work of creation.
“Walk” – to walk in, communicate.
Explanation on the Meaning of Words or Phrases: