Ephesians 2:1-22 King James Version (KJV)

¹ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:1-22 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

¹ And ^G2532 you ^G5209 hath he quickened, who were ^G5607 dead ^G3498 in trespasses ^G3900 and ^G2532 sins; ^G266

² Wherein ^G1722 ^G3739 in time past ^G4218 ye walked ^G4043 according to ^G2596 the course ^G165 of this ^G5127 world, ^G2889 according to ^G2596 the prince ^G758 of the power ^G1849 of the air, ^G109 the spirit ^G4151 that now ^G3568 worketh ^G1754 in ^G1722 the children ^G5207 of disobedience: ^G543

³ Among ^G1722 whom ^G3739 also ^G2532 we ^G2249 all ^G3956 had our conversation ^G390 in times past ^G4218 in ^G1722 the lusts ^G1939 of our ^G2257 flesh, ^G4561 fulfilling ^G4160 the desires ^G2307 of the flesh ^G4561 and ^G2532 of the mind; ^G1271 and ^G2532 were ^G2258 by nature ^G5449 the children ^G5043 of wrath, ^G3709 even ^G2532 as ^G5613 others. ^G3062

⁴ But ^G1161 God, ^G2316 who is ^G5607 rich ^G4145 in ^G1722 mercy, ^G1656 for ^G1223 his ^G846 great ^G4183 love ^G26 wherewith ^G3739 he loved ^G25 us, ^G2248

⁵ Even ^G2532 when we ^G2248 were ^G5607 dead ^G3498 in sins, ^G3900 hath quickened us together with ^G4806 Christ, ^G5547 (by grace ^G5485 ye are ^G2075 saved;) ^G4982

⁶ And ^G2532 hath raised us up together, ^G4891 and ^G2532 made us sit together ^G4776 in ^G1722 heavenly ^G2032 places in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus: ^G2424

⁷ That ^G2443 in ^G1722 the ages ^G165 to come ^G1904 he might shew ^G1731 the exceeding ^G5235 riches ^G4149 of his ^G846 grace ^G5485 in ^G1722 his kindness ^G5544 toward ^G1909 us ^G2248 through ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus. ^G2424

⁸ For ^G1063 by grace ^G5485 are ye ^G2075 saved ^G4982 through ^G1223 faith; ^G4102 and ^G2532 that ^G5124 not ^G3756 of ^G1537 yourselves: ^G5216 it is the gift ^G1435 of God: ^G2316

⁹ Not ^G3756 of ^G1537 works, ^G2041 lest ^G3363 any man ^G5100 should boast. ^G2744

¹⁰ For ^G1063 we are ^G2070 his ^G846 workmanship, ^G4161 created ^G2936 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus ^G2424 unto ^G1909 good ^G18 works, ^G2041 which ^G3739 God ^G2316 hath before ordained ^G4282 that ^G2443 we should walk ^G4043 in ^G1722 them. ^G846

¹¹ Wherefore ^G1352 remember, ^G3421 that ^G3754 ye ^G5210 being in time past ^G4218 Gentiles ^G1484 in ^G1722 the flesh, ^G4561 who ^G3588 are called ^G3004 Uncircumcision ^G203 by ^G5259 that which ^G3588 is called ^G3004 the Circumcision ^G4061 in ^G1722 the flesh ^G4561 made by hands; ^G5499

¹² That ^G3754 at ^G1722 that ^G1565 time ^G2540 ye were ^G2258 without ^G5565 Christ, ^G5547 being aliens ^G526 from the commonwealth ^G4174 of Israel, ^G2474 and ^G2532 strangers ^G3581 from the covenants ^G1242 of promise, ^G1860 having ^G2192 no ^G3361 hope, ^G1680 and ^G2532 without God ^G112 in ^G1722 the world: ^G2889

¹³ But ^G1161 now ^G3570 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus ^G2424 ye ^G5210 who ^G3588 sometimes ^G4218 were ^G5607 far off ^G3112 are made ^G1096 nigh ^G1451 by ^G1722 the blood ^G129 of Christ. ^G5547

¹⁴ For ^G1063 he ^G846 is ^G2076 our ^G2257 peace, ^G1515 who ^G3588 hath made ^G4160 both ^G297 one, ^G1520 and ^G2532 hath broken down ^G3089 the middle wall ^G3320 of partition ^G5418 between us;

¹⁵ Having abolished ^G2673 in ^G1722 his ^G846 flesh ^G4561 the enmity, ^G2189 even the law ^G3551 of commandments ^G1785 contained in ^G1722 ordinances; ^G1378 for to ^G2443 make ^G2936 in ^G1722 himself ^G1438 of twain ^G1417 one ^G1519 ^G1520 new ^G2537 man, ^G444 so making ^G4160 peace; ^G1515

¹⁶ And ^G2532 that he might reconcile ^G604 both ^G297 unto God ^G2316 in ^G1722 one ^G1520 body ^G4983 by ^G1223 the cross, ^G4716 having slain ^G615 the enmity ^G2189 thereby: ^G1722 ^G846

¹⁷ And ^G2532 came ^G2064 and preached ^G2097 peace ^G1515 to you ^G5213 which ^G3588 were afar off, ^G3112 and ^G2532 to them that were nigh. ^G1451

¹⁸ For ^G3754 through ^G1223 him ^G846 we ^G2192 both ^G297 have ^G2192 access ^G4318 by ^G1722 one ^G1520 Spirit ^G4151 unto ^G4314 the Father. ^G3962

¹⁹ Now ^G3767 therefore ^G686 ye are ^G2075 no more ^G3765 strangers ^G3581 and ^G2532 foreigners, ^G3941 but ^G235 fellowcitizens ^G4847 with the saints, ^G40 and ^G2532 of the household ^G3609 of God; ^G2316

²⁰ And are built ^G2026 upon ^G1909 the foundation ^G2310 of the apostles ^G652 and ^G2532 prophets, ^G4396 Jesus ^G2424 Christ ^G5547 himself ^G846 being ^G5607 the chief corner ^G204 stone;

²¹ In ^G1722 whom ^G3739 all ^G3956 the building ^G3619 fitly framed together ^G4883 groweth ^G837 unto ^G1519 an holy ^G40 temple ^G3485 in ^G1722 the Lord: ^G2962

²² In ^G1722 whom ^G3739 ye ^G5210 also ^G2532 are builded together ^G4925 for ^G1519 an habitation ^G2732 of God ^G2316 through ^G1722 the Spirit. ^G4151

Ephesians 2:1-22 American Standard (ASV)

¹ And you `did he make alive,' when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,

² wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;

³ among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:--

⁴ but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

⁶ and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly `places', in Christ Jesus:

⁷ that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

⁸ for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, `it is' the gift of God;

⁹ not of works, that no man should glory.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

¹¹ Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

¹² that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,

¹⁵ having abolished in the flesh the enmity, `even' the law of commandments `contained' in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, `so' making peace;

¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

¹⁷ and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:

¹⁸ for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

¹⁹ So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

²⁰ being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;

²¹ in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;

²² in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:1-22 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

¹ Also you -- being dead in the trespasses and the sins,

² in which once ye did walk according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,

³ among whom also we all did walk once in the desires of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath -- as also the others,

⁴ and God, being rich in kindness, because of His great love with which He loved us,

⁵ even being dead in the trespasses, did make us to live together with the Christ, (by grace ye are having been saved,)

⁶ and did raise `us' up together, and did seat `us' together in the heavenly `places' in Christ Jesus,

⁷ that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,

⁸ for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift,

⁹ not of works, that no one may boast;

¹⁰ for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk.

¹¹ Wherefore, remember, that ye `were' once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

¹² that ye were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;

¹³ and now, in Christ Jesus, ye being once afar off became nigh in the blood of the Christ,

¹⁴ for he is our peace, who did make both one, and the middle wall of the enclosure did break down,

¹⁵ the enmity in his flesh, the law of the commands in ordinances having done away, that the two he might create in himself into one new man, making peace,

¹⁶ and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity in it,

¹⁷ and having come, he did proclaim good news -- peace to you -- the far-off and the nigh,

¹⁸ because through him we have the access -- we both -- in one Spirit unto the Father.

¹⁹ Then, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,

²⁰ being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner-`stone',

²¹ in whom all the building fitly framed together doth increase to an holy sanctuary in the Lord,

²² in whom also ye are builded together, for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:1-22 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

¹ and *you*, being dead in your offences and sins --

² in which ye once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience:

³ among whom *we* also all once had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, doing what the flesh and the thoughts willed to do, and were children, by nature, of wrath, even as the rest:

⁴ but God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ (we too being dead in offences,) has quickened us with the Christ, (ye are saved by grace,)

⁶ and has raised [us] up together, and has made [us] sit down together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,

⁷ that he might display in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

⁸ For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift:

⁹ not on the principle of works, that no one might boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.

¹¹ Wherefore remember that *ye*, once nations in [the] flesh, who [are] called uncircumcision by that called circumcision in [the] flesh done with the hand;

¹² that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

¹³ but now in Christ Jesus *ye* who once were afar off are become nigh by the blood of the Christ.

¹⁴ For *he* is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of enclosure,

¹⁵ having annulled the enmity in his flesh, the law of commandments in ordinances, that he might form the two in himself into one new man, making peace;

¹⁶ and might reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having by it slain the enmity;

¹⁷ and, coming, he has preached the glad tidings of peace to you who [were] afar off, and [the glad tidings of] peace to those [who were] nigh.

¹⁸ For through him we have both access by one Spirit to the Father.

¹⁹ So then ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but ye are fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,

²⁰ being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner-stone,

²¹ in whom all [the] building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;

²² in whom *ye* also are built together for a habitation of God in [the] Spirit.

Ephesians 2:1-22 World English Bible (WEB)

¹ You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;

³ among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

⁵ even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

⁶ and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

⁷ that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;

⁸ for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

⁹ not of works, that no one would boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

¹¹ Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands);

¹² that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,

¹⁵ having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.

¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.

¹⁸ For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

²⁰ being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;

²¹ in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord;

²² in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:1-22 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

¹ And to you did he give life, when you were dead through your wrongdoing and sins,

² In which you were living in the past, after the ways of this present world, doing the pleasure of the lord of the power of the air, the spirit who is now working in those who go against the purpose of God;

³ Among whom we all at one time were living in the pleasures of our flesh, giving way to the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and the punishment of God was waiting for us even as for the rest.

⁴ But God, being full of mercy, through the great love which he had for us,

⁵ Even when we were dead through our sins, gave us life together with Christ (by grace you have salvation),

⁶ So that we came back from death with him, and are seated with him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus;

⁷ That in the time to come he might make clear the full wealth of his grace in his mercy to us in Christ Jesus:

⁸ Because by grace you have salvation through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is given by God:

⁹ Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself.

¹⁰ For by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them.

¹¹ For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

¹² That you were at that time without Christ, being cut off from any part in Israel's rights as a nation, having no part in God's agreement, having no hope, and without God in the world.

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who at one time were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who has made the two into one, and by whom the middle wall of division has been broken down,

¹⁵ Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace;

¹⁶ And that the two might come into agreement with God in one body through the cross, so putting an end to that division.

¹⁷ And he came preaching peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near;

¹⁸ Because through him the two of us are able to come near in one Spirit to the Father.

¹⁹ So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,

²⁰ Resting on the base of the Apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief keystone,

²¹ In whom all the building, rightly joined together, comes to be a holy house of God in the Lord;

²² In whom you, with the rest, are united together as a living-place of God in the Spirit.

Commentary on Ephesians 2 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 2

This chapter contains an account,

I. Of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature (v. 1-3) and again (v. 11, 12).
II. Of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace (v. 4-10) and again (v. 13).
III. Of the great and mighty privileges that both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ (v. 14-22).

The apostle endeavours to affect them with a due sense of the wonderful change which divine grace had wrought in them; and this is very applicable to that great change which the same grace works in all those who are brought into a state of grace. So that we have here a lively picture both of the misery of unregenerate men and of the happy condition of converted souls, enough to awaken and alarm those who are yet in their sins and to put them upon hastening out of that state, and to comfort and delight those whom God hath quickened, with a consideration of the mighty privileges with which they are invested.

Eph 2:1-3

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, v. 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 Mt. 12:24, 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 over all things to the church has conquered the devil and has him in his chain. But wicked men are slaves to Satan, for they walk according to him; they conform their lives and actions to the will and pleasure of this great usurper. The course and tenour of their lives are according to his suggestions, and in compliance with his temptations; they are subject to him, and are led captive by him at his will, whereupon he is called the god of this world, and the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. The children of disobedience are such as choose to disobey God, and to serve the devil; in these he works very powerfully and effectually. As the good Spirit works that which is good in obedient souls, so this evil spirit works that which is evil in wicked men; and he now works, not only heretofore, but even since the world has been blessed with the light of the glorious gospel. The apostle adds, Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, which words refer to the Jews, whom he signifies here to have been in the like sad and miserable condition by nature, and to have been as vile and wicked as the unregenerate Gentiles themselves, and whose natural state he further describes in the next words.
4. We are by nature drudges to the flesh, and to our corrupt affections, v. 3. By fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, men contract that filthiness of flesh and spirit from which the apostle exhorts Christians to cleanse themselves, 2 Co. 7:1. The fulfilling of the desires of the flesh and of the mind includes all the sin and wickedness that are acted in and by both the inferior and the higher or nobler powers of the soul. We lived in the actual commission of all those sins to which corrupt nature inclined us. The carnal mind makes a man a perfect slave to his vicious appetite.-The fulfilling of the wills of the flesh, so the words may be rendered, denoting the efficacy of these lusts, and what power they have over those who yield themselves up unto them.
5. We are by nature the children of wrath, even as others. The Jews were so, as well as the Gentiles; and one man is as much so as another by nature, not only by custom and imitation, but from the time when we began to exist, and by reason of our natural inclinations and appetites. All men, being naturally children of disobedience, are also by nature children of wrath: God is angry with the wicked every day. Our state and course are such as deserve wrath, and would end in eternal wrath, if divine grace did not interpose. What reason have sinners then to be looking out for that grace that will make them, of children of wrath, children of God and heirs of glory! Thus far the apostle has described the misery of a natural state in these verses, which we shall find him pursuing again in some following ones.

Eph 2:4-10

Here the apostle begins his account of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace, where observe,

I. By whom, and in what manner, it was brought about and effected.
- 1. Negatively: Not of yourselves, v. 8. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast, v. 9. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, and therefore all boasting is excluded; he who glories must not glory in himself, but in the Lord. There is no room for any man's boasting of his own abilities and power; or as though he had done any thing that might deserve such immense favours from God.
- 2. Positively: But God, who is rich in mercy, etc., v. 4. God himself is the author of this great and happy change, and his great love is the spring and fontal cause of it; hence he resolved to show mercy. Love is his inclination to do us good considered simply as creatures; mercy respects us as apostate and as miserable creatures. Observe, God's eternal love or good-will towards his creatures is the fountain whence all his mercies vouch-safed to us proceed; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy of his is rich mercy, inexpressibly great and inexhaustibly rich. And then by grace you are saved (v. 5), and by grace are you saved through faith-it is the gift of God, v. 8. Note, Every converted sinner is a saved sinner. Such are delivered from sin and wrath; they are brought into a state of salvation, and have a right given them by grace to eternal happiness. The grace that saves them is the free undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves them, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, by means of which they come to partake of the great blessings of the gospel; and both that faith and that salvation on which it has so great an influence are the gift of God. The great objects of faith are made known by divine revelation, and made credible by the testimony and evidence which God hath given us; and that we believe to salvation and obtain salvation through faith is entirely owing to divine assistance and grace; God has ordered all so that the whole shall appear to be of grace. Observe,
II. Wherein this change consists, in several particulars, answering to the misery of our natural state, some of which are enumerated in this section, and others are mentioned below.
- 1. We who were dead are quickened (v. 5), we are saved from the death of sin and have a principle of spiritual life implanted in us. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. As death locks up the senses, seals up all the powers and faculties, so does a state of sin, as to any thing that is good. Grace unlocks and opens all, and enlarges the soul. Observe, A regenerate sinner becomes a living soul: he lives a life of sanctification, being born of God; and he lives in the sense of the law, being delivered from the guilt of sin by pardoning and justifying grace. He hath quickened us together with Christ. Our spiritual life results from our union with Christ; it is in him that we live: Because I live, you shall live also.
- 2. We who were buried are raised up, v. 6. What remains yet to be done is here spoken of as though it were already past, though indeed we are raised up in virtue of our union with him whom God hath raised from the dead. When he raised Christ from the dead, he did in effect raise up all believers together with him, he being their common head; and when he placed him at his right hand in heavenly places, he advanced and glorified them in and with him, their raised and exalted head and forerunner.-And made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This may be understood in another sense. Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in heavenly places, are raised above the world; the world is as nothing to them, compared with what it has been, and compared with what the other world is. Saints are not only Christ's freemen, but they are assessors with him; by the assistance of his grace they have ascended with him above this world to converse with another, and they live in the constant expectation of it. They are not only servants to the best of masters in the best work, but they are exalted to reign with him; they sit upon the throne with Christ, as he has sat down with his Father on his throne.
III. Observe what is the great design and aim of God in producing and effecting this change: And this,
- 1. With respect to others: That in the ages to come he might show, etc. (v. 7), that he might give a specimen and proof of his great goodness and mercy, for the encouragement of sinners in future time. Observe, The goodness of God in converting and saving sinners heretofore is a proper encouragement to others in after-time to hope in his grace and mercy, and to apply themselves to these. God having this in his design, poor sinners should take great encouragement from it. And what may we not hope for from such grace and kindness, from riches of grace, to which this change is owing? Through Christ Jesus, by and through whom God conveys all his favour and blessings to us.
- 2. With respect to the regenerated sinners themselves: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, etc., v. 10. It appears that all is of grace, because all our spiritual advantages are from God. We are his workmanship; he means in respect of the new creation; not only as men, but as saints. The new man is a new creature; and God is its Creator. It is a new birth, and we are born or begotten of his will. In Christ Jesus, that is, on the account of what he has done and suffered, and by the influence and operation of his blessed Spirit. Unto good works, etc. The apostle having before ascribed this change to divine grace in exclusion of works, lest he should seem thereby to discourage good works, he here observes that though the change is to be ascribed to nothing of that nature (for we are the workmanship of God), yet God, in his new creation, has designed and prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that we should be fruitful in them. Wherever God by his grace implants good principles, they are intended to be for good works. Which God hath before ordained, that is, decreed and appointed. Or, the words may be read, To which God hath before prepared us, that is, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and with the assistance of his Holy Spirit; and by producing such a change in us. That we should walk in them, or glorify God by an exemplary conversation and by our perseverance in holiness.

Eph 2:11-13

In these verses the apostle proceeds in his account of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature. Wherefore remember, etc., v. 11. As if he had said, "You should remember what you have been, and compare it with what you now are, in order to humble yourselves and to excite your love and thankfulness to God.' Note, Converted sinners ought frequently to reflect upon the sinfulness and misery of the state they were in by nature. Gentiles in the flesh, that is, living in the corruption of their natures, and being destitute of circumcision, the outward sign of an interest in the covenant of grace. Who are called uncircumcision by that, etc., that is, "You were reproached and upbraided for it by the formal Jews, who made an external profession, and who looked no further than the outward ordinance.' Note, Hypocritical professors are wont to value themselves chiefly on their external privileges, and to reproach and despise others who are destitute of them. The apostle describes the misery of their case in several particulars, v. 12. "At that time, while you were Gentiles, and in an unconverted state, you were,'

1. "In a Christless condition, without the knowledge of the Messiah, and without any saving interest in him or relation to him.' It is true of all unconverted sinners, all those who are destitute of faith, that they have no saving interest in Christ; and it must be a sad and deplorable thing for a soul to be without a Christ. Being without Christ, they were,
2. Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; they did not belong to Christ's church, and had no communion with it, that being confined to the Israelitish nation. It is no small privilege to be placed in the church of Christ, and to share with the members of it in the advantages peculiar to it.
3. They are strangers from the covenants of promise. The covenant of grace has ever been the same for substance, though, having undergone various additions and improvements in the several ages of the church, it is called covenants; and the covenants of promise, because it is made up of promises, and particularly contains the great promise of the Messiah, and of eternal life through him. Now the Ephesians, in their gentilism, were strangers to this covenant, having never had any information nor overture of it; and all unregenerate sinners are strangers to it, as they have no interest in it. Those who are without Christ, and so have no interest in the Mediator of the covenant, have none in the promises of the covenant.
4. They had no hope, that is, beyond this life-no well-grounded hope in God, no hope of spiritual and eternal blessings. Those who are with out Christ, and strangers from the covenant, can have no good hope; for Christ and the covenant are the ground and foundation of all the Christian's hopes. They were in a state of distance and estrangement from God: Without God in the world; not without some general knowledge of a deity, for they worshipped idols, but living without any due regard to him, any acknowledged dependence on him, and any special interest in him. The words are, atheists in the world; for, though they worshipped many gods, yet they were without the true God.

The apostle proceeds (v. 13) further to illustrate the happy change that was made in their state: But now, in Christ Jesus, you who sometimes were far off, etc. They were far off from Christ, from his church, from the promises, from the Christian hope, and from God himself; and therefore from all good, like the prodigal son in the far country: this had been represented in the preceding verses. Unconverted sinners remove themselves at a distance from God, and God puts them at a distance: He beholds the proud afar off. "But now in Christ Jesus, etc., upon your conversion, by virtue of union with Christ, and interest in him by faith, you are made nigh.' They were brought home to God, received into the church, taken into the covenant, and possessed of all other privileges consequent upon these. Note, The saints are a people near to God. Salvation is far from the wicked; but God is a help at hand to his people; and this is by the blood of Christ, by the merit of his sufferings and death. Every believing sinner owes his nearness to God, and his interest in his favour, to the death and sacrifice of Christ.

Eph 2:14-22

We have now come to the last part of the chapter, which contains an account of the great and mighty privileges that converted Jews and Gentiles both receive from Christ. The apostle here shows that those who were in a state of enmity are reconciled. Between the Jews and the Gentiles there had been a great enmity; so there is between God and every unregenerate man. Now Jesus Christ is our peace, v. 14. He made peace by the sacrifice of himself; and came to reconcile,

1. Jews and Gentiles to each other. He made both one, by reconciling these two divisions of men, who were wont to malign, to hate, and to reproach each other before. He broke down the middle wall of partition, the ceremonial law, that made the great feud, and was the badge of the Jews' peculiarity, called the partition-wall by way of allusion to the partition in the temple, which separated the court of the Gentiles from that into which the Jews only had liberty to enter. Thus he abolished in his flesh the enmity, v. 15. By his sufferings in the flesh, to took away the binding power of the ceremonial law (so removing that cause of enmity and distance between them), which is here called the law of commandments contained in ordinances, because it enjoined a multitude of external rites and ceremonies, and consisted of many institutions and appointments about the outward parts of divine worship. The legal ceremonies were abrogated by Christ, having their accomplishment in him. By taking these out of the way, he formed one church of believers, whether they had been Jews or Gentiles. Thus he made in himself of twain one new man. He framed both these parties into one new society, or body of God's people, uniting them to himself as their common head, they being renewed by the Holy Ghost, and now concurring in a new way of gospel worship, so making peace between these two parties, who were so much at variance before.
2. There is an enmity between God and sinners, whether Jews and Gentiles; and Christ came to slay that enmity, and to reconcile them both to God, v. 16. Sin breeds a quarrel between God and men. Christ came to take up the quarrel, and to bring it to an end, by reconciling both Jew and Gentile, now collected and gathered into one body, to a provoked and an offended God: and this by the cross, or by the sacrifice of himself upon the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. He, being slain or sacrificed, slew the enmity that there was between God and poor sinners. The apostle proceeds to illustrate the great advantages which both parties gain by the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 17. Christ, who purchased peace on the cross, came, partly in his own person, as to the Jews, who are here said to have been nigh, and partly in his apostles, whom he commissioned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, who are said to have been afar off, in the sense that has been given before. And preached peace, or published the terms of reconciliation with God and of eternal life. Note here, When the messengers of Christ deliver his truths, it is in effect the same as if he did it immediately himself. He is said to preach by them, insomuch that he who receiveth them receiveth him, and he who despiseth them (acting by virtue of his commission, and delivering his message) despiseth and rejecteth Christ himself. Now the effect of this peace is the free access which both Jews and Gentiles have unto God (v. 18): For through him, in his name and by virtue of his mediation, we both have access or admission into the presence of God, who has become the common reconciled Father of both: the throne of grace is erected for us to come to, and liberty of approach to that throne is allowed us. Our access is by the Holy Spirit. Christ purchased for us leave to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart to come and strength to come, even grace to serve God acceptably. Observe, We draw nigh to God, through Jesus Christ, by the help of the Spirit. The Ephesians, upon their conversion, having such an access to God, as well as the Jews, and by the same Spirit, the apostle tells them, Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, v. 19. This he mentions by way of opposition to what he had observed of them in their heathenism: they were now no longer aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and no longer what the Jews were wont to account all the nations of the earth besides themselves (namely, strangers to God), but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, that is, members of the church of Christ, and having a right to all the privileges of it. Observe here, The church is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is free of it. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the domestics, one of the family, a servant and a child in God's house. In v. 20 the church is compared to a building. The apostles and prophets are the foundation of that building. They may be so called in a secondary sense, Christ himself being the primary foundation; but we are rather to understand it of the doctrine delivered by the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New. It follows, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. In him both Jews and Gentiles meet, and constitute one church; and Christ supports the building by his strength: In whom all the building, fitly framed together, etc., v. 21. All believers, of whom it consists, being united to Christ by faith, and among themselves by Christian charity, grow unto a holy temple, become a sacred society, in which there is much communion between God and his people, as in the temple, they worshipping and serving him, he manifesting himself unto them, they offering up spiritual sacrifices to God and he dispensing his blessings and favours to them. Thus the building, for the nature of it, is a temple, a holy temple; for the church is the place which God hath chosen to put his name there, and it becomes such a temple by grace and strength derived from himself-in the Lord. The universal church being built upon Christ as the foundation-stone, and united in Christ as the corner-stone, comes at length to be glorified in him as the top-stone: In whom you also are built together, etc., v. 22. Observe, Not only the universal church is called the temple of God, but particular churches; and even every true believer is a living temple, is a habitation of God through the Spirit. God dwells in all believers now, they having become the temple of God through the operations of the blessed Spirit, and his dwelling with them now is an earnest of their dwelling together with him to eternity.

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