Ephesians 2:1-10

The first chapter was about our possessions as members of the Body of Christ. This chapter is about our position as members of the Body of Christ. The first chapter was all about what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ. In this chapter we learn how we become members of the Body of Christ. It is not by anything that we are or that we can do. It is totally by the GRACE of God! Only God can take a dead sinner and make him a living saint. There is a stark contrast between the way this chapter opens and closes. Those who were once a habitation for the spirit of Satan (v.2) are made to be a habitation of God through His Spirit (v.22).

The first part of the chapter deals with sinners as individuals (vs.1-10) and the later part with Gentiles as a group (vs.11-22). Both passages outline themselves: 

I. Who we were (vs.1-3)

II. But God (vs.4-9)

III. Who we are now (v.10)

I. In times past (vs.11-12)

II. But now (vs.13-18)

III. Ye are (vs.19-22)

[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.

We should not dwell on our past, but it’s good to remember where we were and how God saved us (Titus 3:1-7). The Bible has nothing positive to say about the flesh (see Rom. 1-3, bad news before the good news). All lost sinners are dead in trespasses and sins. There are different kinds of death mentioned in the Bible and none of them mean annihilation. Death is a separation. Paul is talking about spiritual death, which is separation from the Spirit of God (Eph. 4:17-19). Those who die physically in a lost condition will suffer the second death (Rev. 20:14-15).  

Notice three destructive forces that worked in our lives as lost sinners: 

1. World – The course of this present evil world is according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). 

2. Devil – It is a course that is set by Satan who is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). Satan’s primary habitation is in the second heaven (Eph. 6:12). He is cast out in the midst of the tribulation period (Rev. 12:9). Satan is a spiritual being. If we are going to stand against him, we must put on the spiritual armor of God and use the spiritual weapon of the word of God. 

3. Flesh – This verse defines lusts as desires. The flesh desires to fulfill its desires in an unlawful manner. We are sinners by nature (Rom. 5:12). It is in our human nature to disobey God. You don’t have to teach your children to sin (Ps. 51:5). Children of disobedience are children of wrath (Eph. 5:3-6). 

Notice the “we all” in v.3. George Williams (1850-1928) wrote, “The Apostle Paul prior to his conversion lived a blameless life of religious rectitude; the Ephesians prior to their conversion wallowed in an appalling abyss of idolatry and obscenity. Yet the Apostle says that there was no moral difference between him and them. They were all alike corrupt by nature, they were all alike dead in sins, sons of disobedience, led by the spirit of Satan and under the wrath of God (vs.1-3). These are fact revealed by the Holy Spirit Who is infallible; but these are facts that man denies, and the assertion of which enrages him.” 

[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.

“But” is a little word that makes a big difference in the Bible! Especially when it says, “But God!” God makes all the difference. When a sinner trusts Christ for salvation he is instantly quickened (made alive spiritually), raised up, and seated with Christ in heavenly places (Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1-4). Our position will be in heavenly places throughout the ages to come (as trophies of His grace). All of this is accomplished by spiritual baptism (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5). Ephesians is further revelation from Romans which taught us that we are crucified, buried, and risen with Christ (Rom 6:3-6). How could a righteous God do such wondrous things for unrighteous sinners? It is because of Christ (Eph. 4:32; Rom. 6:23). 

Note: “with Christ” (v.5); “in Christ” (v.6); “through Christ” (v.7). 

• Rich Mercy – He never runs out! He has enough mercy to save any sinner! God’s mercy may be defined as an outward manifestation of His pity and compassion by which He relieves the misery of the sinful and suffering in their distress. Mercy presupposes misery. Mercy is God NOT giving man what he deserves.

• Great Love – Proven by the cross (Rom. 5:8). 

• Abounding Grace – Grace has to do with what God freely gives us in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 8:9). Grace and works are mutually exclusive in our salvation (Rom. 11:6; Titus 3:5). We cannot earn salvation by merit or forfeit it by demerit. God has always been gracious, but there is a difference between grace in a dispensation and a dispensation of grace (Rom. 5:20-21). Noah found grace (i.e. favor) because he was perfect in his generations (Gen. 6:8-9). Paul is the pattern of salvation for this present age (1 Tim. 1:11-16). Does “that not of yourselves” refer to salvation or faith? Both. We are justified by the faith of Christ.

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

Good works do have a place in salvation. The problem is that many put them in the wrong place. Good works are not the means of salvation, they are the fruit of it. You can’t even do good works unless you are saved (Rom. 8:8-9). Salvation is not reformation of the old nature, but a creative work of God (4:24; 2 Cor. 5:17). We do good works through Christ in us (Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13). God did not save us to just keep us out of hell. He saved us unto Himself (Eph. 1:4-6; Titus 2:11-14).