EPHESIANS 2:1-10 AS I UNDERSTAND IT!

Ephesians 2:1-10 

(Based upon the Easy-to-Read Version)

 

       In the past, you were spiritually dead* because of your sins and the things you did which were against the will of God.  Yes, in the past, your lives were full of sin.  You lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth.**  That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God.  In the past, all of us lived like that, trying to please our own sinful desires.  We did all the things our minds and our bodies wanted.  Like everyone else in the world, we deserved to suffer God's anger just because of the way we lived.  

       But God is rich in mercy,*** and full of love for us.  We were spiritually dead* because of all we had done against Him.  But the God of grace**** gave us new life together with Christ.  Yes, it is because we are a part of Christ Jesus, that God raised us from spiritual death* and seated us together with Him in heaven.  God did this so that His kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all eternity, the amazing richness of His grace!**** 

        I mean that you have been saved by grace**** because you believed in Jesus.  You did not save yourselves, nor can anyone; salvation is a gift from God.  You are not saved by the things you have done, so that you have absolutely no reason to boast!  It is God Who has made us what we are.  In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we could spend our lives doing the good things He had already planned for us to do.

Notes:

*  "Spiritually dead" - In Genesis 2:15-17, God told Adam the day he ate of the forbidden fruit, he would die.  It is obvious that he didn't die physically in that he lived to be 930 years old (Gen. 5:1-5).  This is why sinful man must be "born again," that is, be born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8).

**  "The ruler of evil powers that are above the earth" - Satan (Eph. 6:12; 1 Pet. 5.8; Rev. 12:9; 20:2).

*** "Mercy" - Mercy is one not getting what one deserves; punishment!

**** "Grace" - Grace is a gift that is unearned; unmerited; undeserved! 

EPHESIANS 2:1-10

(Based upon the King James Version)

       And you has He quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:  among whom also we all had our conversation (way of life) 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.

      

       But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened (made alive) us together with Christ, (in other words) by grace you are saved; and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

       For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

SALVATION:  THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN (MERCY), 

AND NEW LIFE IN CHRIST (GRACE), 

ARE THE FREE GIFT OF GOD 

TO ALL WHO ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR!