THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 2, Made Alive in Christ

 

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 2

Made Alive in Christ

Paul is speaking to the early Church at Ephesus, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. This chapter could be considered a primer of sorts, explaining the fundamentals of the shift from the Old Covenant of the Law to the New Covenant in Christ, and what it means to the believer. (This is practical as our guide in thought, speech and conduct, and should be a lexicon for all followers of Jesus).

Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1, And you were dead in your offenses and sins, verse 2, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

(Commentary Break): This marks a monumental shift in paradigm for both the Jew and the Gentile then and now. Paul correctly identifies the ‘course of this world’ being in accord with the ‘prince of the power of the air’, which identifies Satan as the “ruler” or “prince” of the power of the air. (In Jewish and early Christian thought, ‘the air’ was considered the realm of demonic spirits. Satan is depicted as having authority over this domain, influencing the world and its systems (John 12:31, 2 Corinthians 4:4). This highlights the spiritual warfare that believers are engaged in, as they are called to resist the devil and his schemes (Ephesians 6:12) – see BibleHub.com). The sons of disobedience are the unbelievers – the unregenerate who willfully engage in the deeds of the flesh which are sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these (see Galatians 5:18-21).

Please note, that some who call yourself ‘Christian’, having claimed and confessed the name of Jesus for salvation, still participate in these desperate and despicable acts. Some ignorantly, some helplessly. The first step to freedom is confession. This may sound like a horrifying admission of guilt, but it is the act that disarms and begins to neutralize this weapon of the enemy. Confess first to God. Then confess to a qualified confidant, someone you can trust to walk with you, such as your pastor. Then, as God leads, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed – for the prayer of a righteous man or woman, when it is brought about, will accomplish much and has great power in its workings. (This should be done with great care, but having done so, God will remove your awful burden of guilt and shame.) (End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. Among them, we to all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. Verse 4. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, verse 5, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), verse 6, and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, verse 7, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Verse 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; verse 9, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Verse 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

(Commentary Break): Now the very Good News: For all who repent, confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (sozo: made safe, made well, made whole; rescued from the penalty and power of sin and from destruction and Messianic judgment. God will remove the guilt and shame.) But it does not end here. God, being rich in mercy, has not only made you alive with Christ, but you have been raised up with Him, seated in the heavenly places in Christ. (As we read in chapter one, the implications of being seated with Christ include:

• • • Spiritual Authority: Believers are granted authority through their connection with Christ.
    • Access to Blessings: This position allows believers to access spiritual blessings and grace.
    • Eternal Perspective: It encourages believers to live with a heavenly perspective, influencing their actions and decisions on earth.)

Give thanks and praise to God and now let’s ‘walk this out’ in our life today. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. Therefore, remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— verse 12, remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Verse 13. But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near, by the blood of Christ. Verse 14. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, verse 15, by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; verse 16, and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. Verse 17. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; verse 18, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

(Commentary Break): Paul is explaining and describing what just a short time ago was considered impossible. The Gentile world being drawn and offered reconciliation with God along with the Jew, united as the household of God. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 19. So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, verse 20, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, verse 21, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, verse 22, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (End Chapter 2).

The imagery given in these final verses is glorious – the Holy Temple of the Lord raised up. A dwelling of God in the Spirit. The Apostle Peter also said, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

It is time to put our past life away – to do away with the childish things and to crave the pure milk of the word so we may grow in respect to our salvation.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

Next: (coming soon) – THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 3, Paul’s Stewardship.

Previous: THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 1, The Blessings of Redemption.

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