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Ephesians 2

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1You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; 3among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. 11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision”, (in the flesh, made by hands); 12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

World English Bible (public domain)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:8

Summary

Ephesians chapter 2 highlights the transformative power of God's grace and the unity it brings. The chapter begins by describing the believers' past state of spiritual death and disobedience due to sin, emphasizing the inability to attain salvation through personal effort or adherence to law. It then transitions to the miraculous intervention of God, being rich in mercy, who made believers alive with Christ, signifying salvation as a gift of grace through faith. Moreover, the chapter discusses the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, with Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. Through His death, both groups are united into one new humanity, creating a peace that brings them access to the Father by one Spirit. The chapter concludes by portraying believers as members of God's household, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, forming a holy temple in the Lord.

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Chapter outline

How Ephesians 2 unfolds

  1. Ephesians 2:1–3 Spiritual Death and Disobedience

    The chapter opens by describing the believers' previous state of spiritual death due to sin, emphasizing their former disobedience and natural inclination toward sin.

  2. Ephesians 2:4–7 God's Mercy and Grace

    God intervenes in mercy, making believers alive with Christ and showcasing His grace, which is emphasized as a gift that offers salvation.

  3. Ephesians 2:8–10 Salvation by Grace through Faith

    Salvation is clarified as not a result of works, but as a divine gift, stressing that believers are created for good works prepared by God.

  4. Ephesians 2:11–13 Gentile Inclusion and Unity

    The text recalls the Gentiles' former exclusion from Israel's promises, highlighting their newfound closeness to God through the blood of Christ.

  5. Ephesians 2:14–16 Christ as Peace and Reconciliation

    Christ abolishes the dividing barrier between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity through His sacrifice, facilitating reconciliation with God.

  6. Ephesians 2:17–19 Access to the Father

    The chapter asserts that through Christ, both groups gain access to God, transforming their status to fellow citizens and members of God's household.

  7. Ephesians 2:20–22 Building a Holy Temple

    Believers are depicted as being built together on the foundation of Christ and the apostles, forming a spiritual temple where God dwells.

Key verses

  • Ephesians 2:8Ephesians 2:8 encapsulates the chapter's focus on salvation as a gracious gift, underscoring God's initiative in redemption.

Main themes in Ephesians 2

grace

Grace is a central theme in Ephesians 2, particularly in verses 5 and 8. It is described as God's unmerited favor that brings believers from death to life through faith. This grace underlines the transformative nature of the relationship between God and believers, emphasizing that salvation is a divine gift.

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salvation

Salvation is presented as a key theme when Paul states in verse 8 that it is by grace through faith that believers are saved. The chapter elaborates that this salvation is not based on human effort but is entirely God's work. It highlights the profound change from spiritual death to life that salvation entails.

Explore salvation in the Bible →

unity

Unity is highlighted in verses 14 to 19, where Paul discusses the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. The chapter illustrates how Christ creates a single new humanity, uniting diverse groups into one body. This unity reflects the overarching purpose of the church as a collective entity in Christ.

reconciliation

Reconciliation emerges as a significant theme in verses 16 and 18, where Paul emphasizes how Christ reconciles both Jews and Gentiles to God. The chapter develops this theme by illustrating the removal of hostility and division through Christ's sacrifice. It frames reconciliation as essential to the believers' new identity and access to God.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Ephesians 2

Study questions

Questions for studying Ephesians 2

  1. What does being 'made alive' in verse 1 signify for believers?
  2. How does Paul describe the former condition of Gentiles?
  3. What role does grace play in the salvation discussed in this chapter?
  4. How does Christ's death reconcile Jews and Gentiles according to verses 14-16?
  5. What does it mean to be part of the 'household of God' in verse 19?
  6. How is the imagery of a building significant in understanding believer's unity?
  7. What does the term 'good works' in verse 10 imply for believers today?

Ephesians 2: frequently asked questions

What is Ephesians 2 about?+
Ephesians chapter 2 highlights the transformative power of God's grace and the unity it brings. The chapter begins by describing the believers' past state of spiritual death and disobedience due to sin, emphasizing the inability to attain salvation through personal effort or adherence to law. It then transitions to the miraculous intervention of God, being rich in mercy, who made believers alive with Christ, signifying salvation as a gift of grace through faith. Moreover, the chapter discusses the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, with Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. Through His death, both groups are united into one new humanity, creating a peace that brings them access to the Father by one Spirit. The chapter concludes by portraying believers as members of God's household, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, forming a holy temple in the Lord.
What is the key verse in Ephesians 2?+
Ephesians 2:8: "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"
What are the main themes of Ephesians 2?+
The main themes of Ephesians 2 are grace, salvation, unity, reconciliation.

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