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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 2:4

Verse 4 4.But God, who is rich in mercy. (122) Now follows the second member of the sentence, the substance of which is, that God had delivered the Ephesians from the destruction to which they were formerly liable; but the words which he employs are different. God, who is rich in mercy, hath quickened you together with Christ. The meaning is, that, there is no other life than that which is breathed into us by Christ: so that we begin to live only when we are ingrafted into him, and enjoy the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 2:5

Verse 5 5.Even when we were dead in sin. These words have the same emphasis as similar expressions in another Epistle. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died, for the ungodly. — But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6.) Whether the words, by grace ye are saved, have been inserted by another hand, I know not; but, as they are perfectly agreeable to the context, I am quite willing to receive them as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-7

The resurrection and ascension of the soul. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was, as we have seen, that they might appreciate the mighty power of God to us-ward who believe. This power was first manifested in the person and experience of Christ in raising him from the dead, in exalting him to the Father's right hand, in putting all things under his feet, and in constituting him Head of his Church. We are now to notice a parallel experience of power in the case of the believer. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-7

From death to life. 1. The process . This is a history of spiritual lift. It reverses the order of natural history. Instead of "funeral marches to the grave," we have a resurrection gladness, as the soul grows upward from death to life eternal. I. THE PROCESS BEGINS WITH DEATH . The death here referred to is not a future penalty, but the past condition of many men and the present state of all others. 1. There is a spiritual death in the midst of natural life. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-7

From death to life. 2. The secret . What is the secret of the wonderful reversal of the order of nature that is seen in the spiritual transformation from death to life? The power is put forth by the grace of God, and the method of its influence is through union with Christ. I. THE POWER THAT TRANSFORMS FROM DEATH TO LIFE IS THE GRACE OF GOD . 1. The power is Divine . 2. The power is put forth by the grace of God . He might leave the dead to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-10

SPIRITUAL HISTORY OF THE EPHESIANS . This passage corresponds to Genesis 1:1-31 . It is a history of creation, and we note the same great stages. 1. Chaos ( Genesis 1:1-3 ). 2. The dawn—the Spirit of God moving on the face of the waters ( Genesis 1:4 ). 3. The work of creation—in successive stages ( Genesis 1:4-10 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-10

Spiritual history of Ephesians. I. THE CHAOS , or original state. 1. It is a state of death , implying previous life, but present insensibility and helplessness. The element of death is "trespasses and sins "—their killing power. 2. Yet a state of unholy activity , 3. A state of unholy indulgence ; seeking the fulfillment 4. A state of condemnation ; "by nature," by our very constitution, we are children of wrath. And this true of all. II. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-10

Association with Christ. The concluding thought of the first chapter was the resurrection and exaltation of Christ. In order now to bring out how they were benefited thereby, he calls up to them their original condition . He shows them the pit out of which they have been dug, the rock out of which they have been hewn. In the first and second verses he has special reference to Gentile Christians, in the third verse he includes Jewish Christians in his description. I. GENTILE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-10

Gospel reformation great and gracious. "And you hath he quickened," etc. This passage, though its language is somewhat obscure, sets forth most manifestly the greatness and graciousness of gospel reformation . The gospel is a reformative system; it is revolutionary in its spirit and its aim. It uproots the noxious in life, and plants the wholesome. It pulls down the corrupt and builds up the holy. It burns up man's old moral heavens and creates new ones, "wherein dwelleth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:3

Among whom we also all once spent our life in the lusts of our flesh. The apostle here brings Jews and Gentiles together. "We also," as well as you—we were all in the same condemnation, all in a miserable plight, not merely occasionally dipping into sin, but spending our very lives in the lusts or desires of our flesh, living fro' no noble ends, but in an element of carnal desire, as if there were nothing higher than to please the carnal nature. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of... read more

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