Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1-10
Fourth Sunday in Lent B

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You were deadA through the trespassesB and sinsC 

Notes on verse 1

A “dead” = nekros. Perhaps from nekus (corpse). This is dead of lifeless, mortal, corpse. It can also be used figuratively for powerless or ineffective. It is where the word “necrotic” comes from.
B “trespasses” = paraptoma. From para (by, beside, in the presence of) + pipto (to fall in a literal or figurative sense). This is properly, falling away after having been devout or faithful. So, this is a lapse, sin, slip, transgression, offense. It is a deviation from what is true – it could be accidental or unconscious.
C “sins” = hamartia. From hamartano (to miss the mark, do wrong, make a mistake, sin); {from a (not) + meros (a part or share)}. Literally, this means not having one’s share or portion – like not receiving inheritance or what was allotted to you. This word means missing the mark so it is used for guilt, fault, and acts of sin.

in which you once lived,D following the courseE of this world,F

Notes on verse 2a

D “lived” = peripateo. From peri (about, concerning, around, encompassing) + pateo (to read, trample on; to trample literally or figuratively); {from patos (trodden) OR from paio (to strike, smite, sting; a hit like a single blow)}. This is to walk. Going from Hebrew figurative language, to walk referred to how you conducted your life, how you chose to live. This word is most literally walking around. Figuratively, it is living, behaving, following, how you occupy yourself. This is where “peripatetic” comes from.
E “course” = aion. From the same as aei (ever, always, unceasingly, perpetually; on every occasion). This is an age, cycle of time, course, continued duration. It is also used to describe the eternal or forever. This is the word used to discuss the present age or the messianic age.
F “world” = kosmos. Perhaps from the base of komizo (to carry, convey, recover); from komeo (to take care of). This is order, the world, the universe, including its inhabitants. Literally, this is something that is ordered so it can refer to all creation. It can also refer to decoration in the sense that something is better ordered and, thus, made more beautiful. This is where “cosmos” and “cosmetics” come from.

following the rulerG of the powerH of the air,I

Notes on verse 2b

G “ruler” = archon. From archo (to rule, begin, have first rank or have political power). This is ruler, leader, magistrate, official, prince, chief.
H “power” = exousia. From exesti (to be permitted or lawful); {from ek (out, out of) + eimi (to be, exist)}. This is power to act or weight. It especially denotes moral authority or influence. It can mean domain, liberty, freedom, capacity, mastery, right, force, or strength.
I “air” = aer. 7x in NT. From aemi (to breathe or blow). This is air – the atmosphere around us that we breathe.

the spiritJ that is now at workK among those who are disobedient.L 

Notes on verse 2c

J “spirit” = pneuma. From pneo (to blow, breath, breathe hard). This is wind, breath, or ghost. A breeze or a blast or air, a breath. Figuratively used for a spirit, the human soul or part of us that is rational. It is also used supernaturally for angels, demons, God, and the Holy Spirit. This is where pneumonia comes from.
K “is…at work” = energeo. From energes (active, effective, operative, energized, powerful); {from en (in, at, by, with, among) + ergon (word, task, action, employment); {from ergo (to work, accomplish) or from erdo (to do)}}. This is to be at work, accomplish, be mighty or effectual. This is where “energy” comes from.
L “disobedient” = ho + huios + ho + apeitheia. Literally “the sons of disobedience.” Huios is son, descendant – a son whether natural born or adopted. It can be used figuratively for other forms of kinship. Apeitheia is 7x in NT. From apeithes (unbelieving, disobedient, spiritually rebellious); {from a (not, without) + peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust)}. This is disobedience, obstinance. It is someone who chooses to be unpersuaded.

All of us once livedM among them in the passionsN of our flesh,O

Notes on verse 3a

M “lived” = anastrepho. 9x in NT. From ana (up, again, back, among, anew) + strepho (to turn, change, turn back, be converted; to turn around completely to take the opposite path or a completely different one); {from trope (turning, shifting, a revolution; figuratively, a variation); from trepo (to turn)}. This is to turn back, return, or over turn. It can also imply busying oneself and so to remain, dwell, behave, or live somewhere.
N “passions” = epithumia. From epithmueo (long for, set one’s heart on, yearn, desire); {from epi (on, upon, at, what is fitting) + thumos (passion, wrath; actions emerging from passion or impulse) {from thuo (to rush along, breathe violently, offer sacrifice)}}. This is desire, a longing built on passionate emotion or urges. This can be a positive or a negative passion (lust or eagerness).
O “flesh” = sarx. May be from saroo (to sweep, cleanse by sweeping); from sairo (to brush off). This is flesh, the body, human nature, materiality, kindred. Flesh is not always evil in scripture (as when it refers to Jesus taking on a human body). However, it is generally used in a negative way for actions made selfishly and not through faith. This can mean animal flesh, i.e. meat, or refer to body in contrast to soul/spirit. Flesh can be a way of talking about how things or people are related or talking about human frailty (physical or moral).

followingP the desiresQ of flesh and senses,R

Notes on verse 3b

P “following” = poieo. This is to make, do, act, construct, abide, or cause.
Q “desires” = thelema. From thelo (to desire, wise, will, intend). This is the act of will, choice, purpose, or decree.
R “senses” = dianoia. 12x in NT. From dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + noieo (to perceive, think, understand); {from nous (mind, understanding, reasoning faculty, intellect, capacity to reflect)}. This is thought, intellect, or insight. It is thorough, critical thinking to reason through issues to reach a conclusion that is both logically sound and personal.

and we were by natureS childrenT of wrath,U like everyone else.V 

Notes on verse 3c

S “nature” = phusis. 14x in NT. From phuo (to produce, spring up, grow, germinate; perhaps originally meaning puff or blow). This is inherent nature, origin, species, growth, descent, natural disposition, condition. It shares a root with the word “physical.”
T “children” = teknon. From tikto (to beget, bring forth, produce). This is a child, descendant, or inhabitant.
U “wrath” = orge. From orgao (something that teems or stews; anger rising from prolonged personal contact that is fixed rather than an angry outburst; anger that stems from an individual’s sense of right and wrong, justice, etc.) or from orego (to stretch out towards, yearn for, aspire to, desire). This is impulse, wrath, anger, passion, punishment. Properly, this is fixed anger from ongoing personal irritation caused by something the one getting angry sees as unjust or evil. Wrath implies punishment. Can refer to human or divine wrath.
V “everyone else” = loipos. From leipo (to leave behind, be lacking). This is the rest, remained, remnant, other, residue.

But God,W who is richX in mercy,Y out of the greatZ loveAA with which he lovedBB us 

Notes on verse 4

W “God” = theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
X “rich” = plousios. From ploutos (abundance, wealth, or riches; money, possessions, spiritual abundance, or a valuable bestowment); from polus (much, many, abundant) OR pleo (to sail, voyage); {probably from pluno (to plunge – so to wash); from pluo (to flow)} OR pletho (to fill, accomplish, supply; to fill to maximum capacity). This is wealthy, having full resources. It can be a rich person or refer to God’s abundance.
Y “mercy” = eleos. This is mercy, pity, tender mercy, or compassion, whether from humans or from God. This is mercy, generally understood in action by word or deed. When we sing or say “kyrie eleison” (Lord, have mercy), it is related to this word.
Z “great” = polus. Related to “rich” in v4. See note X above.
AA “love” = agape. From agapao (to love, take pleasure in, esteem; to prefer). This is love, goodwill, benevolence. It is God’s divine love or human love that mirrors God’s love.
BB “loved” = agapao. Related to “love” in v4. See note AA above.

5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive togetherCC with ChristDD—by graceEE you have been savedFF— 

Notes on verse 5

CC “made…alive together with” = suzoopoeio. Related to “following” in v3. 2x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + zoopoieo (to bring life to something, including something that was dead. This can also be to revitalize in a literal or figurative sense); {from the same as zoon (literally a thing that is alive; so, an animal or living creature);{from zao (to live literally or figuratively)} + poieo (see note P above)}}. This is alive together, to revive or reanimate together in a literal or figurative sense.
DD “Christ” = Christos. From chrio (consecrate by anointing with oil; often done for prophets, priests, or kings). Literally, the anointed one, Christ. The Greek word for Messiah.         
EE “grace” = charis. From chairo (to rejoice, be glad; used to say hello; properly, delighting in the grace of God or experiencing God’s favor); from char– (to extend favor, lean towards, be inclined to be favorable towards). This is grace, kindness, favor, gratitude, thanks. It is the sense of being inclined to or favorable towards – leaning towards someone to share some good or benefit. This can be literal, figurative, or spiritual. It is grace as abstract concept, manner, or action.
FF “saved” = sozo. From sos (safe, rescued, well). This is to save, heal, preserve, or rescue. Properly, this is taking someone from danger to safety. It can be delivering or protecting literally or figuratively. This is the root that “savior” and “salvation” come from in Greek.

and raised us up withGG him and seated us withHH him in the heavenly placesII in Christ Jesus,JJ 

Notes on verse 6

GG “raised…up with” = sunegeiro. 3x in NT. From sun (with, together with) + egeiro (to awake, raise up or lift up; to get up from sitting or lying down, to get up from sleeping, to rise from a disease or from death; figuratively, rising from inactivity or from ruins). This is to raise together with literally or figuratively. It can also refer to spiritual renewal.
HH “seated…with” = sugkathizo. 2x in NT – also in Luke 22:55 when Peter sits down together with the servants in the courtyard of the high priest’s house. From sun (with, together with) + kathizo (to sit, set, appoint, stay, rest); {from kathezomai (to sit down, be seated); {from kata (down, against, according to, among) + hezomai (to sit); {from aphedron (a seat, a base)}}. This is to sit together.
II “heavenly places” = epouranios. 19x in NT. From epi (on, upon, what is fitting) + ouranos (air, sky, the atmosphere, heaven; the sky that is visible; the spiritual heaven where God dwells; implies happiness, power, and eternity); {perhaps from oros (mountain, hill)}. This is heavenly, celestial, high, heavenly one, heavenly thins. It is the heavenly sphere in contrast to the earthly one, the place of spiritual activity. Figuratively, it can mean divine or spiritual. Properly, this describes that which is fitting from heaven’s perspective.
JJ “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.

7 so that in the agesKK to come he might showLL the immeasurableMM richesNN of his grace in kindnessOO toward us in Christ Jesus. 

Notes on verse 7

KK “ages” = aion. Same as “course” in v2. See note E above.
LL “show” = endeiknumi. 11x in NT. From en (in, on, at, by, with, among) + deiknumi (to show, point out, exhibit; figurative for teach, demonstrate, make known). This is to prove, demonstrate, show by word or deed.
MM “immeasurable” = huperballo. 5x in NT. From huper (over, above, beyond) + ballo (to throw, cast, place, put, rush, drop). This is to surpass, exceed, or excel. Properly, it is to throw beyond or run beyond. So, it is transcending, eminent, or surpassing. This shares the same root as “hyperbole.”
NN “riches” = ploutos. Related to “rich” and “great” in v4. See note X above.
OO “kindness” = chrestotes. 10x in NT. From chrestos (useful, good, well-fitted, benevolent, kind, gracious; also a name given to slaves in the ancient world); from chraomai (to use, make use of, give what is needed, act in a specific way, request). This is properly useable, good or ready for service – just what one needs to meet real needs. Figuratively, this speaks of moral excellence, strong character, uprightness, kindness, integrity.

For by grace you have been saved through faith,PP and this is not your own doing; it is the giftQQ of God— not the result of works,RR so that no one may boast.SS 

Notes on verses 8-9

PP “faith” = pistis. Related to “disobedient” in v2. From peitho (see note L above). This is less about knowing, believing, and repeating a list of doctrines then it is about trusting God. Faith means listening to God and seeking to live a holy life even (and especially) when we don’t understand how everything works or fits together. Faith is about being faithful (trusting and doing) rather than being all knowing.
QQ “gift” = doron. 19x in NT. From didomi (to give in a literal or figurative sense). This is gift, offering, sacrifice; emphasizes that the gift is given freely, voluntarily
RR “works” = ergon. Related to “is…at work” in v2. See note K above.
SS “boast” = kauchaomai. Perhaps from auxen (neck). This is literally holding one’s head high – to boast proudly or to glory, joy, exult, rejoice. It can be boasting in a positive or negative sense.

10 For we are what he has madeTT us, createdUU in Christ Jesus for goodVV works, which God prepared beforehandWW to be our way of life.XX

Notes on verse 10

TT “what…made” = poiema. Related to “following” in v3 & “made…alive together with” in v5. 2x in NT. From poieo (see note P above). This is something made, a produce, work, fabric, workmanship. It can be literal or figurative.
UU “created” = ktizo. 15x in NT. Probably akin to ktaomai (to get, purchase, possess). This is to build, create, form, shape. It refers to God’s acts of creation.
VV “good” = agathos. This is good, a benefit, or a good thing. It is good by its very nature, intrinsically good. A different word, kalos, refers to external signs of goodness.
WW “prepared beforehand” = proetoimazo. 2x in NT. From pro (before, earlier, above) + hetoimazo (to prepare, provide); {from hetoimos (make ready, be ready because of being prepared, standing by, adjusted; ready to meet some opportunity or challenge)}. This is to prepare or appoint before in a literal or figurative sense.
XX “be…way of life” = peripateo. Same as “lived” in v2. See note D above.


Image credit: “Light Abstract (133)” by Quách Triều, 2016.

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