EPHESIANS CHAPTER TWO
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

• GREEK TENSES:
• PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
• AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
• FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
• PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
• IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
• PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.
• GREEK CASES:
• GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
• INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
• DAT= Dative Case
• NOM= Nominative Case
• ACC= Accusative
• PL= Plural
• SG= Singular
• GREEK VOICES:
• AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
• PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
• MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.
• GREEK MOODS:
• IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
• OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
• IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
• SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
• OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
• PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
• ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
• INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

* Note: Verses with no additional notes are shown in diminished text. Those who are interested in helping in the Greek exegesis of this text, please contact me at bibleteacher.org.
 

This is one of the most important chapters of the Bible, as it focuses on the pre-salvation and post-salvation life of the believer. Understanding this chapter, and properly applying this understanding, helps the believer to avoid errors such as Galatianism (Legalism) and Gnosticism (Hedonism).

Ephesians 2:1

And you [hath he quickened], who were dead (nekros [nek-ros'], of Thayer = "1a) one that has breathed his last, lifeless; 1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell; 1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate". Used in Acts 17:30-32, 1 Corinthians 15:42, et al of those who have physically died or departed this earth. Dead people in the physical sense are inanimate in this life. Spiritually dead people are, likewise, inanimate in the spiritual life, i.e., can do no good or righteous or spiritual thing but are inanimate, ineffective before God)

in trespasses (paraptoma [par-ap'-to-mah], of Thayer "1) to fall beside or near something, 2) a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness, 2a) a sin, misdeed". Can be illustrated by stumbling, bumbling, ineptness)

and sins; ( hamartia [ham-ar-tee'-ah], of Thayer "1a) to be without a share in, 1b) to miss the mark, 1c) to err, be mistaken")
 
 

Lesson Three

1. The one in the error of Galatianism believes that he can "work his way" into God's good graces. How does nekros in Ephesians 2:1 destroy this argument? a. Uses of NEKROS elsewhere in Scripture: Acts 17:30-32; 1 Corinthians 15:42. Acts 17:30-32 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: [31]  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter." 1 Corinthians 15:42-45 "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43]  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [45]  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit." 2. Our output PRIOR to salvation was PARAPTOMA, trespasses, deviations from the truth, mistakes in righteousness. What has God done for us through the saving Grace of the Cross? (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 2:13)  2 Corinthians 5:19  "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." Colossians 2:13-14  "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14]  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" 3. According to Ephesians 2:1, how many times did I satisfy God prior to salvation? How many times did I "hit the mark" of God's righteousness?

Ephesians 2:2

Wherein in time past ye walked (peripateo [per-ee-pat-eh'-o], regulate the life, conduct ones self)

according to the course (aion [ahee-ohn'], age)

of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
 

4. According to verse 2, what spirit governed our behavior prior to salvation?  a. Jesus said of the Pharisees that "their father was the devil". What did He mean by this? (John 8:44) John 8:44  "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." b. When we walked "according to the prince of the power of the air", who was this? (Matthew 4:8-10; John 14:30-31) Matthew 4:8-10  "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9]  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10]  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." John 14:30-31 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. [31]  But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."

Ephesians 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature (phusis [foo'-sis], that which is natural, Thayer, "the nature of things, the force, laws, order of nature")

the children of wrath, even as others.
 

5. What was our nature, our natural inclination, our normal state prior to salvation? (verse 3) a. How did we relate to God? Were we, prior to salvation, His "friends"? (Romans 5:8-10) Romans 5:8-10 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9]  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10]  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

Ephesians 2:4

But God, (de Theos, "but God". Had the story ended here, how sad it would be!)

who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together (suzoopoieo [sood-zo-op-oy-eh'-o], to make us alive together with Christ) with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
 

6. Why has God "quickened" us together with Christ? a. He is full of mercy (Romans 9:15-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10) Romans 9:15-16  "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [16]  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: [10]  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." b. He is full of love (1 John 4:8-9) 1 John 4:8-9  "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. [9]  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." c. Because Christ Jesus, because of His great love, paid for us (1 Timothy 1:14-17) 1 Timothy 1:14-17  "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15]  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16]  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. [17]  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 2:6

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
 

7. WHO raised us up to sit in heavenly places with Christ? How could He do this? (verse 6) a. The first Adam, our "Federal Head", our representative, caused humanity to fall into sin. The second Adam, our "Federal Head" Jesus Christ, did what? (1 Corinthians 15:20-22; Romans 5:12-18) 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21]  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22]  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Romans 5:12-18 "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: [13]  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [14]  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [15]  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. [16]  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. [17]  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) [18]  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." b. Our Lord Jesus "lived the Law" for us, died for us, and freed us from the Law of sin and of death. We now walk by a higher righteousness as "new creatures" in Him (Philippians 3:8-11) Philippians 3:8-11 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10]  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11]  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." c. Since we who are believers are reborn in Christ we are commanded to avoid: aa. Galatianism/ Legalism: (Colossians 2:12-17) Colossians 2:12-17  "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14]  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15]  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [17]  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." bb. Gnosticism/ Hedonism: (Colossians 3:1-10) Colossians 3:1-10  "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2]  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3]  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4]  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. [5] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: [6]  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: [7]  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. [8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. [9]  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10]  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him"

Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved (SOZO, Perfect Tense = saved in the past with results that continue on into the future. Says Robertson: "Paul shows that salvation does not have its source EX HUMON, out of you) in men, but from God. Besides, it is God's gift (doron) and not the result of our work.")

through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:11

Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Ephesians 2:12

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Ephesians 2:15

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

Ephesians 2:16

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 2:17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

Ephesians 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Please feel free to E-mail me your questions, comments, and any difficulties you experienced accessing this study at DIDASKALOS Ministries

Return to the beginning of this study!

Return to DIDASKALOS MAIN MENU