Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 2:4-10

Here the apostle begins his account of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace, where observe, I. By whom, and in what manner, it was brought about and effected. 1. Negatively: Not of yourselves, Eph. 2:8. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast, Eph. 2:9. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, and therefore all... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 2:1-10

2:1-10 When you were dead in your sins and trespasses, those sins and trespasses in which once you walked, living life in the way in which this present age of this world lives it, living life as the ruler of the power of the air dictates it, that spirit who now operates in the children of disobedience--and once all we too lived the same kind of life as these children of disobedience do, a life in which we were at the mercy of the desires of our lower nature, a life in which we followed the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy ,.... Mercy is a perfection of the divine nature, and is essential to God; and may be considered with respect to the objects of it, either as general, extending to all men in a providential way; or as special, reaching only to some in a way of grace; for though mercy is his nature, yet the display and exertion of it towards any object, is the act of his will; and special mercy, with all the blessings and benefits of it, is only exhibited in Christ Jesus: and God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins ,.... See Gill on Ephesians 2:1 . Hath quickened us together with Christ : which may be understood either of regeneration, when a soul that is dead in a moral or spiritual sense, is quickened and made alive; a principle of life is infused, and acts of life are put forth; such have their spiritual senses, and these in exercise; they can feel the load and weight of sin; see their lost state and condition, the odiousness of sin, and the beauty of a Saviour,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 2:4

But God, who is rich in mercy - As they were corrupt in their nature, and sinful in their practice, they could possess no merit, nor have any claim upon God; and it required much mercy to remove so much misery, and to pardon such transgressions. His great love - God's infinite love is the groundwork of our salvation; in reference to us that love assumes the form of mercy, and that mercy provides the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore the apostle adds, Ephesians 2:5 ; : By... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins - Dead in our souls; dead towards God; dead in law; and exposed to death eternal, Hath quickened us together with Christ - God has given us as complete a resurrection from the death of sin to a life of righteousness, as the body of Christ has had from the grave. And as this quickening, or making alive, was most gratuitous on God's part, the apostle, with great propriety, says; By grace ye are saved. read more

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

Group of Brands