Ephesians 2:4-8

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 2:4

But God, being rich in mercy. The preceding verses convey the idea of a rushing towards inevitable ruin—towards some frightful cataract, when all help from man is hopeless. Man's extremity becomes God's opportunity. The "but" is very emphatic, and wonderfully reverses the picture. The sovereignty of God is very apparent, on its gracious side. It interposes to rescue those who would otherwise plunge into irretrievable ruin. We have here the filling up of that Divine saying, "O Israel, thou... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:4

The true origin of salvation. It is interesting to observe the variety of terms here employed to describe the source of all the blessings of salvation. It is no longer a question of power, as it was in the first chapter ( Ephesians 1:19 , Ephesians 1:20 ), but of love, mercy, grace, and kindness. I. OUR SALVATION IS OF GOD 'S MERCY . "God who is rich in mercy." There is a distinction between mercy and love, for love is the foundation of mercy. God is called the "Father... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in our sins. Repeated from Ephesians 2:1 , in order to set in its true light the declaration that follows of what God did for us to make more emphatic the free and sovereign mercy of God. Though sin is the abominable thing which he hates, loathsome to him in the last degree, he did not turn from us when we were immersed in it; nor did he wait till we began to move towards him: he began to influence us even when we were dead. Made us alive together with Christ ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:5

The believer's union with Christ. The apostle teaches that, in virtue of the union between Christ and his people, his death was their death, his life their life, his exaltation their exaltation. It is the familiar doctrine of Romans 6:4 , "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." These words indicate a bond of connection between the spiritual life of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised us up with him (comp. Philippians 3:10 ); so that we no longer walk "according to the course of this world," but according to the life of Christ; we walk "in newness of life." And seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. As God placed Jesus at his right hand in heaven, so he has placed his people with him in heavenly places; i.e. places where the privileges of heaven are dispensed, where the air of heaven is breathed, where the fellowship and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come he might show forth the riches of his grace. A special purpose served by God's free grace bestowed on such persons as the Ephesians. It was intended as a lesson for future ages. "The ages to come" denotes eras to begin from that time, running on now, and to continue hereafter. It would be a profitable lesson for the people of these ages to think of the Ephesians, far as they were by nature from God, receiving his blessing so abundantly. From this they would learn how... read more

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