Ephesians 2:4

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 2:4

4. God, who is rich—Greek "(as) being rich in mercy." for—that is, "because of His great love." This was the special ground of God's saving us; as "rich in mercy" (compare Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 2:4; Romans 10:12) was the general ground. "Mercy takes away misery; love confers salvation" [BENGEL]. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 2:1-10

3. The motive: grace 2:1-10Paul proceeded to conclude his revelation of the Christian’s individual calling in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 to Ephesians 2:10). He began this section of the epistle by explaining the purpose of our calling (i.e., the glory of God, Ephesians 1:3-14). He then expounded the means whereby we appreciate our calling (i.e., knowledge given by the Holy Spirit through God’s revelation, Ephesians 1:15-23). Finally, He enunciated the motive for our calling (i.e., the unmerited... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 2:3-10

A. Individual calling 1:3-2:10Paul began the body of his letter by revealing the spiritual blessings that God has planned for believers in His Son."The opening section of Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3 to Ephesians 2:10), which describes the new life God has given us in Christ, divides itself naturally into two halves, the first consisting of praise and the second of prayer. In the ’praise’ half Paul blesses God that he has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3-14), while... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 2:4

Paul introduced the contrast between the condition of the unbeliever and that of the believer with "But." God, the subject of this passage (Ephesians 2:1-7), makes all the difference. "Mercy" (Gr. eleos, the word the Septuagint translators used to render the Hebrew hesed, loyal love) means undeserved kindness. God’s great love (Gr. agape) sought the highest good in the objects of His choice even though we were rebellious sinners. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 2:4-10

Now alive in God 2:4-10The wrath of God on the unbeliever (Ephesians 2:3) contrasts with the grace of God on the believer (Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:7-8). God’s special grace toward some unbelievers gives them life (Ephesians 2:4-5), raises them up (Ephesians 2:6), and seats them in heavenly realms with Christ (Ephesians 2:6-10). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 2:1-22

Gentiles and Jews are now One in Chirst1-10. Further illustration of God’s power. He raised both Gentiles and Jews from the death of sin and exalted them to Christ’s side.2. The prince of the power of the air] Jewish phraseology, as in Ephesians 1:21. The air is regarded as full of evil powers, with Satan as their prince (Ephesians 6:12; Luke 22:53; Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13). 3. Also we] ’we Jews were as dead in sins as you Gentiles, and were thus objects of God’s wrath’ (Ephesians 5:6).Had... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:4

(4) Rich in mercy.—Not only merciful, but rich “in the multitude of mercy,” as attaching even to those dead in sin (see Chrysostom on this passage). The idea of richness in grace, glory, mercy, is especially frequent in this Epistle. (See Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 3:16.)For his great love.—Again, as in Ephesians 1:4, stress is laid on the love of God, before all else, as the one moving cause of salvation. (Comp. Romans 5:8, “God commendeth His love... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 2:1-22

Ephesians 2:0 The Apostle Paul is not always just the same. He is consistent, but never monotonous. He is a sevenfold man; his Epistles are his truest photograph. Have you ever read the Epistles in the light of that suggestion? not only to find out what the Epistles are, but what their author was. He never wearies us, because he has a great gift of escaping monotony. He is rugged, incoherent, sometimes almost verbally self-contradictory; he is full of parentheses, he makes great use of... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 2:1-6

Chapter 7FROM DEATH TO LIFEEphesians 2:1-6We pass by a sudden transition, just as in Colossians 1:21-22, from the thought of that which God wrought in Christ Himself to that which He works through Christ in believing men. So God raised, exalted, and glorified His Son Jesus Christ {Ephesians 1:19-23} -and you! The finely woven threads of the apostle’s thought are frequently severed, and awkward chasms made in the highway of his argument, by our chapter and verse divisions. The words inserted in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 2:1-10

2. The Production of the Masterwork and its Destiny CHAPTER 2:1-10 1. What we are by nature (Ephesians 2:1-3 ) 2. What God does--rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4-6 ) 3. The destiny of the masterwork (Ephesians 2:7 ) 4. Saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10 ) After the great revelation of the first chapter and the prayer which followed, the production of the masterpiece itself is now brought more fully into view. We have before us a revelation concerning our state by nature and how God takes us up... read more

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