Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Context: What does Paul mean by being “dead in your transgressions and sins”?
Two related realities help us to understand what Paul means by being dead in transgressions and sins. The first reality, linked to the spiritual poverty Jesus describes in the Beatitudes, is the state in which our condition before the gospel leaves us shrouded in darkness, destined to perish, and essentially operating in a state devoid of God and thus devoid of life.
Paul further describes this reality in terms of how we walk, whom we connect with, and the source of our behaviour. The walk he has in mind is not a private failing but a whole pattern of life.
The other is the contrast to what it means to be alive. To be alive, as far as God is concerned, is a spiritual reality that reflects what it means to be animated by the living Spirit of God, no longer reflecting the darkness of sin and rebellion against God, no longer operating in the useless ways of the flesh.
Life and death are determined by our relationship to God, who defines life. Without God and in rebellion to God, we are dead, not dormant, not merely disadvantaged, but as unable to generate spiritual life for ourselves as a corpse is to raise itself. That is precisely what makes verse 4’s “but God” the hinge on which the entire passage, and the entire gospel, turns.
Content: Contrast the “before” and “after” descriptions of believers.
Before Christ, we once walked in trespasses and sins; we followed the course of this world; we followed the prince of the power of the air; we operated by the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience; we lived by the passions of our body and mind and as a result, we were children of wrath. This describes humanity’s state without Christ.
Once we acknowledge what Christ has done for us, we are made alive in Him. We are raised to new life in Him. Then we are seated in the heavenly places in Him. Because our union with Christ is real, what is true of Him positionally becomes true of us: as He was raised and enthroned, so were we, which is why this is described as a present reality and not merely a future hope. It means the believer already shares, in Christ, the authority and security that sin no longer has the final word over, even while we still live out our days on earth.
This sets us up to display the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us, and Paul is specific that this display unfolds “in the coming ages,” not just at the moment of conversion. Grace shown once would be remarkable enough, but Paul pictures an eternity in which God keeps demonstrating, without running out, how kind He has been to people who deserved wrath. The word used for kindness carries the sense of a desire to spare someone discomfort, so what is displayed forever is not distant generosity but personal tenderness.
Now, as a result of recognising the work of grace to us through Jesus Christ, we become the workmanship of God who have good works to deliver as God has prepared us to deliver. “Workmanship” describes something made, a work of art, not something self-generated, which is Paul’s way of closing off any reading of verse 10 as a reversal back into earning. The good works are not a debt now owed for grace already given; they are the shape grace takes once it has taken hold, works “prepared beforehand,” meaning God had already mapped the path before we took a single step in it. The believer’s life after Christ is therefore not a resumption of self-effort under new management, but the ongoing unveiling of something God started and intends to keep finishing.
Concept: How do verses 8-9 address the relationship between faith and works?
Faith is how we connect to what Christ has done for us. We believe Him. This connects us to all that He has done to rescue us from our condition and transfer us to the place He is. This faith is not to be confused with any idea of works. Our works – whatever they are – do not save us. We can do nothing to save ourselves. The saving work is all God. Faith connects us to that.
This means there’s no room for us to take credit for anything related to the wonderful transfer that takes place. This eliminates any room for us to boast as though we did anything to change our situation. This is crucial to understanding the relationship between faith and works. Once self-credit is ruled out, the only boasting left standing is boasting in what God has done, which is precisely why verse 10 can follow straight after with good works: they are not the believer’s contribution reclaimed through the back door, but evidence pointing at the same giver.
Conclusions: How can you apply Paul’s prayer pattern to your own prayer life?
There are hymns and choruses that put into words the great depth of heartfelt gratitude I have for what God has done – and is doing – through Christ. Even though I was brought up in a Christian upbringing, I grew to have a real understanding of what my past condition was. The more I reflect on it and recognise the significance of the awful situation I was in, and the powerless state I was in, the more I give God thanks and appreciate that only He can bring someone from dreadful darkness into marvellous light. That He’s done that for me for His glory, and that He’s done that for others so I can be connected to them, and that He’s further done that so we can be doing the good works He’s prepared for us is so bedazzling and amazing. It’s breathtaking and awesome to realise what He’s done for us in Christ and what that sets us up to do for His glory. Amazing that we connect to this truth by faith and then trust Him to complete what He’s started. It shapes how I see those around me; it shapes how I interact and relate to others who are yet to know Christ. It states to me that just as my life means nothing without Christ, I know there is no life worth living without Christ. Thus, I am desirous for people to know Christ, who to know is life eternal.
Next time:
WIWO – Ephesians – Episode Five: Unity in Christ
Reading – Ephesians 2:11-22
It’s good to know the state we were in before Christ and celebrate the glorious work God has done for us in Jesus Christ. God gets all the glory and praise for raising us who were dead in our sins to life and the workmanship He designed us to be. This is why it’s a delight to take His Word In so we can live His Word Out.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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