Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 is part of “Dead Made Alive—Salvation by Grace” (2:1–10) in the outline of Ephesians.
Ephesians 2 summary
This chapter contains an account, I. Of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature (Eph 2:1-3) and again (Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12). II. Of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace (Eph 2:4-10) and again (Eph 2:13).
Read the full introduction
This chapter contains an account, I. Of the miserable condition of these Ephesians by nature (Eph 2:1-3) and again (Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12). II. Of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace (Eph 2:4-10) and again (Eph 2:13). III. Of the great and mighty privileges that both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ (Eph 2:14-22). The apostle endeavours to affect them with a due sense of the wonderful change which divine grace had wrought in them; and this is very applicable to that great change which the same grace works in all those who are brought into a state of grace. So that we have here a lively picture both of the misery of unregenerate men and of the happy condition of converted souls, enough to awaken and alarm those who are yet in their sins and to put them upon hastening out of that state, and to comfort and delight those whom God hath quickened, with a consideration of the mighty privileges with which they are invested.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Made Alive in Christ
1And you hath he quickened, that were dead in trespasses and sinnes, 2Wherein, in times past ye walked, according to the course of this world, and after the prince that ruleth in the aire, euen the spirite, that nowe worketh in the children of disobedience, 3Among whom we also had our conuersation in time past, in the lustes of our flesh, in fulfilling the will of the flesh, and of the minde, and were by nature the children of wrath, as well as others. 4But God which is rich in mercie, through his great loue wherewith he loued vs, 5Euen when we were dead by sinnes, hath quickened vs together in Christ, by whose grace ye are saued, 6And hath raysed vs vp together, and made vs sit together in the heauenly places in Christ Iesus, 7That he might shewe in the ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace, through his kindnesse toward vs in Christ Iesus. 8For by grace are ye saued through faith, and that not of your selues: it is the gift of God, 9Not of workes, least any man should boast himselfe. 10For we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes, which God hath ordeined, that we should walke in them.
One in Christ
11Wherefore remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, and called vncircumcision of them, which are called circumcision in the flesh, made with hands, 12That ye were, I say, at that time without Christ, and were alients from the common wealth of Israel, and were strangers from the couenants of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in the world. 13But nowe in Christ Iesus, ye which once were farre off, are made neere by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken the stoppe of the partition wall, 15In abrogating through his flesh the hatred, that is, the Lawe of commandements which standeth in ordinances, for to make of twaine one newe man in himselfe, so making peace, 16And that he might reconcile both vnto God in one body by his crosse, and slay hatred thereby, 17And came, and preached peace to you which were afarre off, and to them that were neere. 18For through him we both haue an entrance vnto the Father by one Spirit.
Christ Our Cornerstone
19Nowe therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners: but citizens with the Saintes, and of the houshold of God, 20And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone, 21In whom all the building coupled together, groweth vnto an holy Temple in the Lord. 22In whom ye also are built together to be the habitation of God by the Spirit.