Eph 2

Ephesians 2 :1 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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: 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." ~ Paul is addressing these Gentile brethren (v 12) who, until the new covenant was administered unto them, were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. These Gentiles were considered dead (having only the fruit of the spirit to guide them in the good things of God), being as those to whom Paul came unto (Acts 17:23), walking in ignorance (30) as disobedient children (Ti 3:4). He goes on to say, we Jews were walking in the same disobedience having our (Jews) conversation in the lust of the flesh, for the law was only designed to bring to the remembrance of sin (Heb 10:3) in the flesh (Gal 3:23). Yes, all both Jew and Gentile, were by the nature of Adam, children of wrath.

Vs 4 "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." ~ God’s mercy intervened as purposed before the foundation of the world to bring together a bride (Isa 65:8,9) for his son Jesus, raising his bride from the bondage of the law which held them captive (Heb 2:15). This was designed too shew unto ‘us’ his bride, in ages to come, the exceeding riches of his grace. We are informed in Romans 11:15 that this bondage is where one is raised from the dead. It is these that the Husband bids to come and dine (Jh 21:12), there to be with her husband in the heavenly places (upper room, brides chamber - Mt 25:10) wherein he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace toward us.

Vs 8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." This faith was shut up unto all of those before the day of Pentecost (Gal 3:23), who followed after the law (Rm 9:32, Gal 4:23), being after the flesh, and not of faith (Gal 3:12). Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, being guided by the Holy Ghost, does a good job in contrasting how those under the law walked by sight to those who are called unto the marriage of the Lamb, as they walk by this inner motivation of faith (1 Jh 5:4). If we analyze any of those under the works systems of the world, we will find that they also are, in reality, not walking by faith but by sight. If this be true, then only those who have the knowledge of the truth are included in this lesson, therefore even though this is given unconditionally, it demands conditions to reap the benefits found therein. This is further verified by the following verse: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." ~ The bride only is given the responsibility of maintaining the true worship in this time world. An elite group, I thank not, but they are the bond servants (Ex 21:6) who carry a grave responsibility to serve their master, husband, as they strive to walk in the strait and narrow way.

Vs 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; 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: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Paul herein is specifically addressing the Gentiles who were without any law (Rm 5:13) before the event of the Holy Ghost, being guided only by the nine elements of the fruit of the spirit (Eph 6:22). The fruit of the spirit was present in Adam upon God opening his eye to understanding good from evil, and would continue as recorded in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, in the conscience of all the children of God. Having only this one testimony, they could recognize there is a higher power than self (Acts 17:23), and knowing as Job, that man is just before the Thrice Holy God, yet unable to understand how. Paul does not leave these disciples with this knowledge only, but informs that they are now brought nigh by the Passover blood of Jesus Christ.

Vs 14 "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." This good news of the gospel must have resonated with these poor disciples, and brought the peace that passeth all understanding (Phil 4:7). He also informs them that the law of the old commandments, which he, as an Israelite, had been subject unto: Jesus in his flesh had abolished. Now both the Israelites and Gentiles are reconciled, as God was in Christ reconciling the world of all, both Jew and Gentile unto himself. This took place in the last three hours of darkness as the sin debt was laid upon the head of the scapegoat (Gen 22:8, Lev 16:22, 1 Cor 2:19)

Vs 18 "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." This restates the thought above, and adds the blessings of having access unto the Father for both Jews and Gentiles.

Vs 19 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Oh what joy must the poor Gentiles have felt, now realizing that they had more than gods of stone, but the blessed hope of a security with their Lord and Saviour Jesus.