Thursday, June 18, 2009

Word OF THE DAY EPHESIANS 2:1-6 (KJV)

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 children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.

5 Even when we were dead in sins, quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;

COMMENTARY: 2:1 Quickened means "made alive" In 1:19n Paul prays for his readers to recognize what God's power has done. As part of the answer to this prayer, verse 1-10 inform them of some of the effects divine might has accomplished in them. 2:2 Ye walked means "you lived." The course of this world: The word course signifies the tendencies, thoughts, pursuits, deeds, and so on, that characterize the present period of history. "This world" (kosmos) means world-system", that is, those philosophies, values, and life-styles that are opposed to God and hostile to Him. Before conversion the Ephesians used to conduct themselves in accordance with such ungodly values, The princes of the power of the air may be read "the ruler of the kingdom in the air." they also used to live by the dictates and wishes of Satan. 2:3 We all had our conversation means "we all conducted ourselves." In contrast to "ye" in 2:2 which refers to Gentiles, note the "we" of this verse, which refers to Jews. In essence Paul admits, "We Jews were no better than you Gentiles-both ethnic groups were sinful." Children of wrath refers to people subject to divine punishment. 2:4-6 But begins to disclose God's response to man's sin of verse 1-3. This divine response is expressed in three main verbs: (1) God... hath quickened us. Because they were morally dead in sins, the Lord gave them spiritual life; (2) and hath raise us up together, that is God has not allowed these Christians to remain in the grave of their old life with its sinful ways and habits, but He brought them into a new life and demonstration of it; and (3) God made us sit together in heavenly places, that is, He has brought us into His presence, and into intimate relationship with Himself.

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