Ephesians 2:1-10

God’s Glorious Masterpiece

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience —  3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved —  6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:1-10Ephesians 2:1-10
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 ¹ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; ² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 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 the children of wrath, even as others. desires: Gr. wills ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by...: or, by whose grace ⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ordained: or, prepared  

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In today’s passage, Paul introduces two ages of man. These two ages are actually two worlds that overlap. One is the old creation—fallen under weight of Adam’s sin, and the other is the new creation—revealed in the resurrection of the second Adam. All of us are born under the old age, but by God’s grace can leave the old age (which is passing away) and enter into the new age which never fades: world without end.

1. The age of sin.
This old world is characterized by sin and trespasses (falling short of the glory of God). The sons of disobedience live in this world following the passions of their body and mind. This is the path of division between all peoples (Cain and Abel; Jews and the Gentiles). Notice the “you,” “we” divisions in verses 1 – 3.

The way of sin
This is this path where the ungodly walk.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12Proverbs 14:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  

WP-Bible plugin) (See also Psalm 1; Proverbs)

The ruler of this age and air (aion and aeros).
Paul talks about a power that leads the unbelievers in their path of wickedness. This power might be referred to as World Age and it also might be referred to as satan. Notice how the word age (aion) is translated throughout Scripture. It is often translated as world. We may think of a physical planet but the text is referring to an age or an epoch that is passing away.

Matthew 13:39-40Matthew 13:39-40
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰ As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.  

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39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world (age); and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world (age).

Ephesians 1:21Ephesians 1:21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  

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21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (age), but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 3:21Ephesians 3:21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  

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21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end . Amen.

The Old Creation is ruled by satan through fallen man.
The Scripture does not give us a comprehensive explanation of evil like it does of God. This should help us realize that we do not focus all our energy upon explaining or discussing it. And yet, evil is present in the world of Adam, the first creation, the first age. Adam gave up his rightful dominion to the evil one and now evil works through the hearts and actions of the sons of disobedience. Paul suggests that both Gentiles and Jews walk in this path. Their actions set up institutions and societies and cultures—as evil works in and through them, so evil is at work in the realms they create.  How is evil defeated?

2. The age of grace.

Rich in mercy.
This is the Father heart of God: rich in mercy. He will not let his creation waste away.
He acts “because of the great love with which he loved us.” The Father showers his love upon his creation. In this shower of love, he comes to heal the breach between man and God and man and man.

Resurrection power.
Jesus’ resurrection changes everything. When he dies, the old world dies. And when he rises the new world rises. This present evil age has already died and passed away. The age (the new heaven and earth) is here. The two ages overlap temporarily. One is fading: one is growing brighter and brighter. He raises up divided man (Jew and Gentile together). Resurrection is not for individuals but for one new man. The people of God united as one in Christ.

What is resurrection?

Raised up to heavenly places.
He has raised us up to demonstrate his loving-kindness in and through us. We are the firstfruits of the new heaven and hew earth.

James 1:18James 1:18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  

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18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Romans 8:19-23Romans 8:19-23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. the...: or, every creature ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  

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19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

3. We are God’s workmanship.
Raised up together as the people of God, we are empowered (not through our own strength) to show forth the works of God in all our actions. We are God’s masterpiece, displaying the excellent power of his grace to bring love and healing to a world wrecked by sin and division. What is our duty?

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