Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2

2:1 And (even) you [hath he quickened], who were (being) dead in trespasses and sins;

The first word in verse 1 is the word and. Now this word is a conjunction it ties that which came before with that which follows. There should not be a chapter at 2 verse one since it is connected with verse since it is tied to 1 by the conjunction 20 and following is a parenthetical phrase an explanation of the prayer in chapter 1.

There are several ways this word can be translated: and, also, even, indeed, but context the rules of biblical interpretation will tell you plus the rules of English Grammar. Using that I believe even is a better translation of the word and. Likewise the word were can and should be translated being

The words hath he quickened are in italics and should be scratched because they were added by the translators. These italics are suppose to be put in to make clearer the meaning sometimes correctly sometimes not and here it is not. Most modern versions delete the these words.

The word trespass means to fall or to go the side, or to miss the target or mark. We call this messing up.

So it should read:

Even you who being dead to trespasses and sins. This also puts this verse in agreement with Romans where it says we were crucified buried and raised with Christ. If we are raised with him then our sins have been forgiven. Also for those of you who want to bring up that even after we are saved we can still foul up let me remind you we are dealing with Ephesians it is addressed to the faithful those who are walking for God those would take care and when they messed up they would go to God and get forgiveness.

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 (at) worketh in the children of disobedience:

The words according to sets a standard. The standard they are now operating by is prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now (at) work in the children of disobedience. This is a figure of speech meaning the devil or Satan.

Romans also talks about the course of this world in chapter 12 verses 1 and 2, where we are told to not fall prey to the schemes of this world. We are given additional information here in Ephesians telling us that that the course of this world is not being run by God but by the devil or Satan.

The words that now, can be translated and should be translated at.

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.

The word conversation metaphorically means behavior, and the word lust means over desire, craving, desire for what is forbidden. Flesh represents our carnal nature. The carnal man it is sometimes called. We now have a new nature we are no longer following the course of this world.

We were at one time the children of wrath but we have a new nature and this is where the battle lies will we choose the flesh or will we choose the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. We can walk in righteousness or we can follow the world and the god of this world. It’s our choice.

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

But sets that which has been said in contrast with that which is to follow.

Mercy means: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. God not only forgives us he desires to help us. My earthly parents told me at times that I shouldn't do things. The thing was some of what they told me not to do they could not tell me how to overcome. God doesn't have that kind of limit set he can show us how to overcome and he tells us the behavior we should do instead see Ephesians 4.

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

This is the the first use of by grace are ye saved but not the last.

God extended his grace to us when we were dead in sins he sent his son to die for us.

The desire or the flesh is always there. We have to choose which direction we are going to go in. The only way to be sure we are heading in the correct direction is to study the word apply what the word says and to listen for the still small voice giving direction.

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

The word raised means to arouse as is to wake from sleep. The root word egeirō stands in contrast to the word anistemi which in it's usage means to make to stand. We are to be aroused in this administration others will be made to stand. We are gently awakened others are told get up now.

We were raised with Christ and made us to sit together in the heavenly realm. This is our promise we get to be with the lord after the rapture no matter which administration that it is we will be where he is.

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

The word exceeding is the word hyperballō in the Greek. This word is only used five times twice in Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 3:10 and 9:14, all the rest of the are in Ephesians 1:19, 2:7, and 3:14. It means to throw over or beyond something. These words are used to describe it, to transcend, surpass, exceed, or excel. It is translated as incomparable in the NIV, Bullinger renders is as surpassing, the RSV is immeasurable. No matter what the translation it means it goes beyond what our minds can conceive.

The word shew could also be translated exhibit.

Ages indicates time then says to come or the future he will show (to show, demonstrate, prove) this exceeding greatness us who believe. God also includes kindness, (or moral goodness, integrity).

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.

For the second time we are we are saved by grace. The number 2 in the bible means two things are in opposition to each other or it has been established. Gen 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. These are the only 2 usages of these exact words.

It speaks of faith being the key to receiving salvation in many places, Habakkuk 2:4, Acts 3:16, 6:5,7,8, Romans 1:12,17, many places in chapters 3,4, and 5. chapter 10:9,10 as well as many other places.

We live by faith. We tend to take time to first learn the word then applying it in our lives. It is a learning process. As we see God start to fulfill his word in our lives our faith grows within us. It is always by grace we could never be good enough on our own it is all because of what Jesus Christ did

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

The NLT translates the word workmanship as masterpiece. I love that translation we are God's best work. We stand above all creation. Again it is not because of ourselves but what our big brother and what he did.

Notice we are created unto good works not by them. We should be doing good works but the good works Christ told us to do.

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

1Cr 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying

We need to be operating all 9 operations to do the work we are suppose to be doing. If we don't how can we truly help others? The people of this world are from the time they are born  begin the process of dying. God gave us the spirit to help each other, we need to know information that we can not know by our five senses. At times the church needs edification the best way to do that is SIT/ w interpretation, and prophecy God gave us that so that we the church could be edified.

The people of this world are born and then is the process of dying. The only hope for them is if they hear about Jesus Christ and what he accomplished. Then if the lord tarry and they die they will be raised and given the new body.

The word ordained is interesting. In means to go before and prepare, it is the Greek word proetoaveimazō. It is used in the oriental culture as the one who goes before to prepare the way for the king. We're preparing the way for our king Jesus Christ.

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:

Simply stating the fact we had no part of the promise to Israel. That promise is being held in abeyance in this the grace administration and will be back after the rapture.

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

We are made near by the blood of Christ we now have the promise of everlasting life. We accepted the salvation that was made available. Like John says, the dynamic duo asked who wants to be saved and we raised our hands. It had nothing to do with us Jesus made it available.

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

The middle wall of partition is the veil that separated the people the holy of hollies from. It is the veil that ripped apart when Jesus died. Man was no longer separated from God the bridge between God and man had been built. 50 days later was Pentecost.

The word peace means exemption from the rage and havoc of war. We are no longer at war with God, we now work for God

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:

We who are of the body of Christ are a new man whether we were Jew or Gentile no longer matters we are members of one new body

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;

We are in God’s household. We are not strangers but fellow citizens.

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:

We individually are not the temple the body of Christ is the temple. All of us together make up the temple.

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