Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10

References: 

Calvin’s commentary: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/ephesians/2.htm

Grace United Reformed Church, Torrance CA (Dan Borvan): https://youtu.be/_Vkb4UwoVk0

HC question 20: https://threeforms.org/heidelberg-catechism/#lords-day-7

Guilt Grace and Gratitude here. Know your misery, your redemption and what to do with it.

What you were and what you are:

Dead, now alive

In the world, now not of this world

Ruled by Satan, now by Christ

Under the power of sin, now of Christ

Verse 1: Dead in sin. You Were Dead. Not half-dead or handicapped or in a coma. Because of sin, you emerged on the world scene, dead. Valley of dry bones, Ezekiel 37.

Verse 3: 

“Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.” 

Not all those who are in the world are saved. There is a difference, clearly stated here. John 3:18 and 36. Christ’s sacrifice is wholly sufficient to save everyone, however, Holy Scripture is clear that it is not God’s plan to save everyone. We are not universalists – distinct from many heretical movements throughout history, as far back as Origen all the way to Universalist and Unitarian, and PC(USA) churches today. Christian funerals demonstrate how ubiquitous universal salvation really is. 

Most funerals put the honoree into heaven because most ministers – most Americans believe in justification by death. This is universalism.

Calvin on justification: we are not half-dead, as Rome would contend, but thoroughly dead. There is nothing of merit in us.

Verses 4-6: Alive in Christ! But God has made us alive in Christ, who has all the merit, through his Spirit. And this is now, not something to come in an unexpected future day. God has raised us with Christ and has seated us with him in the heavenly places. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. 

We have participated in Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. One day, this will be fully realized on Jesus’ return, but even now, we partake of his benefits because of this participation.

Verse 5: 

“Through faith,” not simply knowing truth, but affirming or assenting. Subscribing to, or via a confession of the truth. Know the Word, approve of the Word, and fully trust the Word (Knowledge, Assent, and Trust). Note the lack of “experience” in this formula.

Verse 7:

Why did God do this? “So that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Verses 8-9: 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” – external operation, not our own work or merit. HC 21 says it is a “freely granted” gift. That means no conditions are made for our faith. It is entirely of the H.S., receiving and resting in the promises of God (WLC 72). Faith is a passive instrument, not obedience or a work. This is so important that Paul is repeating from verse 5.

Verse 10: Good works – that we should walk in them. Return to original design: glorify God and enjoy him forever, aka, Love God and neighbor. Fruit of the faith in verse 8.