Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:5
(5) Even when we were dead in sins.—These words should be connected, not with “loved us,” but with “hath quickened,” or rather, quickened. He brought life out of spiritual death. read more
Ephesians-2:5-10,-ephesians-4:1-7
Charles John Ellicott
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:5-6
(5, 6) The thought in these verses follows exactly the same course as in Ephesians 1:19-20. There the type and earnest of the working of God’s mighty power are placed in the resurrection, the ascension, the glorification of Christ Himself in His human nature. Here what is there implied is worked out—(1) All Christians are declared to be quickened (or, risen again) to spiritual life with Christ, according to His promise, “Because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19). (See the exact parallel... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:7
(7) In the ages to come.—Properly, the ages which are coming on—the ages both of time and of eternity, looked upon in one great continuity. Here, again, the manifestation of the riches of God’s grace is looked upon as His special delight, and as His chosen way of manifesting His own self to His creatures.In his kindness.—The word “kindness” (properly, facility, or readiness to serve another) is applied to that phase of God’s mercy in which it shows Him as “ready to receive, and most willing to... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:8
(8) By grace are ye saved through faith.—Properly, ye have been saved; ye were saved at first, and continue in a state of salvation. In Ephesians 2:5 this thought is introduced parenthetically, naturally and irresistibly suggested by the declaration of the various steps of regeneration in Christ. St. Paul now returns to it and works it out, before passing on, in Ephesians 2:11, to draw out by “wherefore” the conclusion from Ephesians 2:1-7. Remembering how the Epistles were written from... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:8-10
(1 b.) Ephesians 2:8-10 (taking up and working out the parenthetical “by grace ye are saved” of Ephesians 2:5) form an instructive link of connection between these Epistles and those of the earlier group, especially the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans. (Comp. Philippians 3:9.) In both there is the same doctrine of “Justification by Faith,” the same denial of the merit of good works, the same connection of good works with the grace of God in us. But what is there anxiously and passionately... read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:9
(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.—In this verse we have the echo of the past Judaising controversy; it sums up briefly the whole argument of Romans 3:27 to Romans 4:25. There is a similar reminiscence, but more distinct and detached, in Philippians 3:2-9. read more
Charles John Ellicott
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 2:10
(10) We are his workmanship.—This verse, on the contrary, is unique and remarkable, characteristic of the idea with which this Epistle starts—the election and predestination of God, making us what we are—and applying it very strikingly, not only to the first regeneration, but even to the good works which follow it. The word rendered “workmanship” is only used elsewhere in Romans 1:20, where it is applied to the “works” of God in creation. Probably here also it does not exclude our first... 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
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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