Category Archives: Ephesians

In his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul instructed them to be, “eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) But how can people of different ethnic, cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds truly be unified? Paul points out that those who follow Christ have all entered the body, that is the church, in the same way. In addition they are united in Christ because the Spirit, the Lord (that is Jesus) and the Father (that is God) are One. But this is not all. In order to help Christ’s followers maintain their unity, they have been given gifts of grace. In chapter 4, verses 7 through 10 Paul writes:

“But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Therefore he says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Now this, “He ascended,” what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.”

From this passage we see that in order to help maintain unity in the body of Christ, not merely one gift has been given, but several. In addition, while gifts are given to every follower of Christ, rather than to just a few, they differ from person to person. The gifts are also equated with grace. This means that the gifts are not given because we deserve them, but because of Christ’s goodness.

To establish this proposition Paul refers to Psalm 68. But this raises a question. Paul writes, “…he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Yet Psalm 68, verse 18 says, “…You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men…” Is Paul twisting Scripture to make it say something it does not? No! If one reads verse 18 in its entirety it is obvious that the Lord received gifts from the rebellious while Paul is referring to the gifts which are given to those who are obedient. If the whole Psalm is read, it becomes clear that gifts were received from the rebellious in order that gifts might be given to those who are obedient. So, Paul is not twisting Scripture, but is giving a synopsis of the Psalm. It is Christ’s victory which results in gifts being given to His followers.

Who is the gift giver? Paul identifies him as the one who ascended on high. This is a clear reference to Jesus’ ascension into heaven and His glorification. But Paul also reminds us that Christ ascended only after He had first descended. As Scripture says in another place, “…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;” (Philippians 2:8-9) Christlike humility is one of the keys to unity. The pursuit of honor and position leads to competition and strife. Humility promotes love and service to one another. The Apostle Peter writes, “…all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;” (1 Peter 5:5-6)

What are the gifts Christ has given and how do they help his followers maintain unity? In verse 11 Paul writes, “He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;”

From this verse it is obvious that among the gifts of grace which Christ has given to his followers is the gift of leadership. Among these leaders are apostles and prophets. The apostles were appointed personally by Christ to be His representatives. Prophets were divinely inspired spokesmen who communicated God’s holy word to Christ’s followers. In chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote that the apostles and prophets are the foundation of God’s household, and in chapter 3, verse 5 he said that the Spirit has revealed the mystery of Christ to them. From this we learn that the true church is built upon the teaching of the apostles and prophets. Any person or group which rejects their teaching is not part of the body. The Apostle John wrote, “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6)

Christ has also gifted some as evangelists. Their responsibilities include preaching Christ’s gospel to those who have not yet heard it and establishing new congregations of believers.

Paul also mentions shepherds (pastors) and teachers. It is not clear from the text whether he is referring to shepherds who teach or to two distinct groups of people. The ability to teach is one of the qualifications of a shepherd. Yet, Scripture specifically mentions teachers also. While the prophet was divinely inspired to deliver God’s word, the teacher, or teaching shepherd, interprets and explains God’s word. Teaching not only includes exposition but also the practical example of living a life worthy of emulation. Shepherds are also known in Scripture as elders, overseers or bishops, and pastors. It is their responsibility to oversee the congregations and care for their spiritual welfare.

It must be pointed out that the church no longer has apostles and prophets among its living leaders. The completion of the New Testament Scriptures fulfilled the purpose of their lives. While their work continues on through the New Testament writings, the missionary role of the apostle has been taken over by the evangelist, and the shepherd has taken over the nurturing role of the prophet.

For what purpose has Christ gifted these leaders? In verse 12 Paul writes that they are, “for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;” What Paul is saying is that it is the responsibility of the leaders of the church to train the followers of Jesus to serve and to meet the needs of people. This, in turn, will cause the church to progress.

What is the goal of this training? In verse 13 Paul writes, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” The strength and health of the church cannot be measured by the number of its members or by its wealth. It is measured, instead, by how united it is in faith, and by how Christlike the members are. We all need to be aware of how our congregations compare with this standard.

In the first 3 chapters of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes about what God has done for those who believe in Christ, and the blessings that are theirs as a result of following Him. But following Christ means far more than merely assenting to certain theological propositions. Our religion means nothing if it doesn’t affect the way we live. True belief in Christ will always produce action. In the rest of this letter Paul will write about practical applications of faith in Christ which affect how we live our lives from day-to-day. In chapter 4, verses 1 through 6 he writes:

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.”

Paul urges his readers to be worthy of the calling they have received. What is this calling? To what have they been called? Paul answers this question in verse 4 by reminding them that they have been called to hope. This is a repetition of what he had already written in chapter 1, verse 18, “…that you may know what is the hope of his calling…” In contrast to this, Paul reminds us in chapter 2, verse 12 that those who have not chosen to follow Christ do not have hope. The hope that Christ gives is so powerful that it triumphs over external appearances. Paul was in jail for his faith when he wrote this letter. In the eyes of the world he was a criminal, yet because of the hope he had, he could call himself a prisoner of the Lord.

But what does it mean to be worthy of this calling? Paul answers this when he writes that those who are called should be completely humble, gentle, patient and bear with one another in love. (verse 2) In essence, Paul is saying that we must recognize that we do not deserve the hope that God gives us. This agrees with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) And James, quoting from Proverbs, reminds us that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) All of us who follow Christ face a choice. We can be found worthy of God’s call, or we can hang onto our pride. We cannot do both.

Paul writes that we should make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (verse 3) Notice that Paul does not say that the followers of Christ should attempt to become united, but that they should preserve the unity that already exists. Why should we preserve unity? If for no other reason, it is Christ’s desire that all of His followers be united. If we claim to follow Christ shouldn’t we do what He wants? While praying for His disciples Jesus said, “Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you…” (John 17:20-21) Paul not only echoes Christ’s prayer but, in verses 4 through 6, gives specific examples of the unity that there is among Christ’s followers. 1) There is only one body. Earlier, in chapter 1, verses 22 and 23 Paul defined the ‘body’ as the church. So, what he is saying here is that the followers of Christ are united because there is only one church. This requires some explaining because those who claim to be the followers of Christ are split into many, many groups each of which claims to be the church. It is important to understand that it is not what people or organizations say about themselves which makes them part of the body, but whether they have responded to God’s call. The body cannot be identified as any one particular group or organization. It is, instead, composed of those people within the various organizations who are obedient to Christ. We need to ask ourselves whether we are truly part of Christ’s body or merely a member of an organization.

2) There is one Spirit. As Paul has already indicated in this letter, it is the Spirit which reveals God’s Word, guarantees the inheritance of the followers of Christ and grants them access to God. Since there is one Spirit, all of the followers of Christ have the same message, the same assurance regarding the future and the same right to approach God.

3) There is one hope. This means that all of the followers of Christ share the same aspirations and have a common goal.

4) There is one Lord, that is Christ. All followers of Christ, regardless of where they are or what group they are associated with, are under the same authority and answer to the same Master.

5) There is one faith. No one can be a follower of Christ without professing certain core or essential beliefs. For example, as Paul writes in another place, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

6) There is one baptism. Every follower of Christ has become part of the body by being baptized into Christ. There is no other way to become a member of God’s household.

7) There is one God and Father of all. One of the fundamental truths of Christianity is that God is One. Though the Bible teaches that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all manifestations of God, and have different roles, God remains one and indivisible. Just as God cannot be divided but remains One, over all and through all and in all, the followers of Christ should also be indivisible even though each of them is also an individual. There is unity among God’s people in spite of their diversity.

It is worth noting that Paul writes that unity should be maintained through the bond of peace. Some philosophies or religious systems try to impose unity by coercion or force. But peace is one of the distinguishing marks of true Christianity. We should always evaluate whether our actions promote peace or discord.

In the first part of his inspired letter to the Christians at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul reminds them of what God has done for them through Jesus Christ. In Christ they have been granted spiritual life, forgiveness of sins, hope, membership in God’s household and peace with God and with each other. After describing God’s eternal plan to allow both Jews and Gentiles to share in the promises made through Christ, Paul breaks into a prayer for the people to whom he is writing. He does not hesitate to come before God because he had already explained in chapter 3, verse 12, “in whom [that is, Christ] we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.” In chapter 3, verses 14 through 15 Paul begins his prayer by saying: “For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,”

In this prayer why does Paul address God as Father? There are at least three reasons. First, Paul had already used the metaphor of a household in chapter 2, verses 19 through 22 to describe the relationship between God and the followers of Christ. And, in chapter 1, verse 5 he wrote that God adopts as His children those who put their faith in Christ. Secondly, Paul addresses God as Father because it is from Him that “every family in heaven and on earth is named.” This points to God’s role as Creator. As Paul explains in another place, “…he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25) But most importantly, Paul addresses God as Father because it is He who gives new spiritual life. In chapter 2, verses 4 and 5, Paul had already written, “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” For all these reasons it is appropriate for the followers of Christ to address God as their Father.

All too often, when we pray to God, we spend most of our time asking for blessings. We ask for healing, for success and for material possessions so that our lives may be more comfortable. But Paul does not pray for blessings. Instead he prays for growth in character. In verses 16 through 19 he says:

“[I pray] that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Paul prays that his readers may be strengthened with power. In chapter 1, verse 19 he had prayed that they would know God’s power. Here we see the purpose of knowing that power, or being strengthened by it. It is so that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith. In chapter 2, verse 22 Paul had already mentioned that the followers of Christ are being built into a dwelling in which God lives. Notice in both places that this action takes place by, or through, the Holy Spirit. What Paul is saying is that the followers of Christ become a temple in which God, in His fullness, wishes to live. The question is, Have we submitted ourselves to Christ so that our hearts are a fit place for God to live?

Paul also prays that his readers will be rooted and grounded in love. Just as it is impossible to be saved without faith in Christ, faith without love is useless. As Paul writes in another place, “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2) Love is one of the defining characteristics of a follower of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Paul wants his readers to love so that they, too, can make progress with the rest of Christ’s followers. This is why he writes that they are to be rooted and grounded in love “with all the saints.”

The reason why we must be rooted and grounded in love is so we may grasp the full dimensions of Christ’s love. We will never be able to comprehend Christ’s love for us until we, also, learn to love.

Paul next prays something which sounds quite strange. He prays that his readers might know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge. What Paul is saying is that Christ’s love is much more than something we can know with our minds. It is something which must be experienced. Because of that love, Christ died so we might live. But love does not merely look back at what God has already done for us, it also causes us to imitate that love. As Paul writes in chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, “Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”

The purpose of Paul’s prayer is that his readers “may be filled with all the fullness of God.” As has already been pointed out, God has adopted the followers of Christ as His children. It should be possible to identify the children of God by their godly characteristics. God wants us to be like Him. The Apostle Peter writes, “…he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4) When people look at us do they see God in us?

But is it possible for Paul’s prayer to come true? Is it really possible for someone to participate in God’s nature? Yes, it is! Paul continues in verses 20 and 21, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

God is not only able to accomplish what Paul has asked, but also what we are afraid to ask and even what we cannot comprehend. The question is whether we are willing to allow God’s Spirit to work in us so that it will happen. As long as people are willing to put their faith in Christ and allow God’s Spirit to work in their inner being God will be glorified not only in us as individuals but, as Paul indicates, in the church as well.

In chapter 3 of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes that God’s mystery had been revealed to him. This mystery is that by accepting Jesus Christ, non-Jewish people can share in the promises which God gave the Jewish people. Paul calls this message the ‘Good News.’ In verses 7 through 13 he writes, “of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.”

Some people become proud when they think that God has revealed a message to them. They think that this gives them the right to rule over others. But Paul writes that he became a servant of the gospel. Jesus said, “…You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)

Actually, a person to whom God’s message has been revealed has no cause to be proud. Paul gives two reasons for this. The first is that the message of the gospel was given by a “the gift of that grace of God”. If it is by grace, then it is not something which is deserved. The second reason is that the message was given through the working of God’s power. The gospel is powerful, not because of the messenger, but because of God. Paul calls himself “the very least of all saints.” Yet because he did not rely on his own power, but rather God’s, God was able to use him far beyond his own capabilities. Whose power do we rely on when we try to take the gospel to others? Do we try to do it in our own strength?

As a servant of the gospel, what task was given Paul? He writes that it was to preach to the Gentiles. The apostles were not all given the same task. Galatians 2:7 records that God gave the Apostle Peter the task of preaching to the Jewish people. But though God may have given us a particular task, we should not use that as an excuse to turn away from the needs of someone. Though Peter’s task was to preach to the Jewish people, it was through him that non-Jews first heard the gospel of Christ. Though Paul’s task was to preach to the Gentiles, he always spoke to Jews as he had opportunity. Scripture says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men…” (Galatians 6:10)

Paul also had the task of making plain to everyone the administration of the mystery. In the past this mystery was hidden. But now God has revealed it to the apostles and prophets and given Paul the task of proclaiming it in a way that everyone can easily understand it. On the other hand, though the gospel may be easily understood, Paul also describes it as the “unsearchable riches of Christ”.

What was God’s intent in having the mystery proclaimed? Paul writes that it was so God’s manifold wisdom would be made known. From this we see that there are many aspects to God’s wisdom. In another place Paul explains what some of these aspects are: “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God– that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV) Paul writes that God’s wisdom should be made known through the church. It follows, then, that if the church is going to make God’s wisdom known, it must proclaim Christ, be righteous in all its actions, be an example of holiness and preach a message of redemption.

To whom does God intend his wisdom to be made known? Paul writes that it is to the “the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places”. There are some who think that this merely refers to people of authority who are in high positions, such as kings, governors and others who are in high positions, or to those who are influential. Though such people may be included in this description, it seems that Paul means much more than this. In chapter one, Paul used the phrase “heavenly places” to indicate the place where Jesus is seated at God’s right hand. In chapter 6, verse 12, Paul indicates that “spiritual forces of wickedness” are also in the heavenly places. When we consider these facts, it becomes plain that Paul is saying that God intends His wisdom to be made known not only to people, but also to beings in the spiritual realm as well. This is something which the followers of Christ should never forget. Our lives and conduct not only affect the people around us, but also have an impact in the unseen spiritual world as well. As Paul points out, in one sense God has already accomplished His eternal purpose through Jesus Christ. But it is the responsibility of the church to make it known.

The revealing of the mystery of God’s wisdom has a very practical result: Access. What this means is that the follows of Christ may approach God. This is something which is unthinkable for someone whose sins have not been forgiven. But because of what Christ has done, those who have submitted their lives to Him may approach God with boldness and confidence. Notice that it is in, or through Jesus Christ that we have access. This is why the followers of Christ pray in Jesus’ name. Jesus told his disciples, “Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)

Paul ends this section with an amazing statement. He says that his sufferings are the glory of the people to whom he is writing. Paul can write this because it is through his suffering the church is being strengthened and God’s intent is being fulfilled. Paul, the servant of the gospel, is faithfully completing his task.

In his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul writes that God has granted the non-Jewish peoples equal status with the Jews through Jesus Christ. In chapter 3 Paul goes on to say that God revealed this message to him. In verses 1 through 6 he writes, “For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,”

Paul writes that he is a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Though from a human point of view Paul was imprisoned by the Romans, he could say that he was a prisoner of Jesus because he was in jail because of his faith in Christ and his efforts to serve Christ. There are some things worth going to jail for. Being a follower of Christ is one of them. Paul could be content in prison because he was surrendered to Christ. If Christ is our Master, then He is our Master whether we are free or in prison. But, if we must be in prison then it should only be because we are following Christ and not for any other reason. The Apostle Peter writes, “For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter 4:15-16)

Paul says that he is a prisoner for the sake of the Gentiles to whom he is writing. This is a reminder of something which we often forget. If we have heard about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins which is available to us through His blood, it is only because other people have suffered so that we could hear the message. We need to honor those who cared enough to tell us about Jesus, in spite of danger.

Paul calls the grace about which he writing a mystery. There are many times when we feel that God is remote. But just because we cannot see or comprehend how God is working does not mean that His grace is not upon us. The problem is not with God, but with our comprehension. Can we trust and love God even though we may not be able to discern what He is doing?

But the grace about which Paul is writing has not remained a mystery. Paul writes that it was revealed to him. This is an important point. The message Paul is writing is not something which he made up. In verse 5 he says that the message was revealed to him through the Holy Spirit. In other words, if we reject what Paul has written, we are not merely rejecting the words of a man, but a message from God.

In verse 3 Paul says that he has already written briefly to these people about the mystery. It is possible that this is a reference to the book of Colossians which many scholars feel was written shortly before this letter. It is more likely, however, that he is referring back to what he had already written in chapter 1, verse 9. There he said, “making known to us the mystery of his will [that is, God’s will], according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him [that is, Christ]”

There are two parts to verse 4 where Paul writes, “by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;” The first part is that Paul expects his readers to scrutinize and evaluate both him and his message. What he is writing now is consistent and in agreement with what he has said and taught before. This is what we would expect if a message is truly from God. Similarly, if someone has truly been sent by God, he can be totally open and transparent with those to whom is has been sent. An examination of his life and message will only demonstrate their genuineness. Secondly, God’s mystery was not only revealed to Paul, but Paul also understood what was revealed to him. Because he understood it, he was qualified to explain it as well.

God’s prophets and apostles to whom the mystery was revealed are holy. The basic meaning of the word which is used is ‘set apart for God’s use.’ This gives us a powerful means by which to evaluate someone who claims to have a message from God. If they do not live a godly life, then we should view their message with great caution. One of the things which gives us confidence in what Paul has written is that his life was consistent with the godly message he proclaimed.

Paul writes that the mystery was not made known to previous generations as it has now been revealed. We sometimes get frustrated because it seems that God is not working as quickly as we would like. But God’s timing is always perfect. He revealed the mystery when it was best to do so. As Scripture says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son…” (Galatians 4:4) It says in another place, “…at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6) Similarly, when the time was right, God revealed the mystery.

But what is this mystery that Paul is writing about? In chapter 1, verse 10 Paul explained that the mystery is that God will bring “to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;” In chapter 3, verse 6 Paul tells us one of the practical results. He writes, “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News.” Notice that it is by means of, or through, the gospel this takes place. As Scripture explains elsewhere, ‘gospel’ or ‘Good News’ is a term used for the message about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-8) This is a restatement of what Paul had already said in chapter 2. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, people who were enemies and divided from one another can now be reconciled and at peace, both with each other and with God. Now, in Christ, all people can be heirs of eternal life. God’s promises no longer apply only to certain people or to a particular race, but to all who follow Christ.

In verses 14 and 15 of chapter 2 of his inspired letter to the followers of Christ at Ephesus, the apostle Paul called the Mosaic Law a “middle wall of partition” (NIV, “dividing wall of hostility”). The Law divided non-Jewish peoples from the Jews and was a cause of enmity between them. It was also a barrier which stood between the non-Jewish peoples and God.

In calling the Law a wall, Paul, no doubt, was thinking of God’s temple in Jerusalem. The outer courtyard of the temple was called the ‘Court of the Gentiles.’ A low wall separated this courtyard from the ‘Court of Israel’ and the temple proper. On this wall notices were posted which said, “No man of another race is to enter within the fence and enclosure around the Temple. Whoever is caught will have only himself to thank for the death which follows.” (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 42, Ephesians, Word Books, 1990, p. 141)

But Paul writes that through His death on the cross, Jesus has fulfilled the Law, and in doing so, has destroyed the barrier which separated one people from another. Now, both the Jew and non-Jew can be reconciled to God, and to each other through Jesus’ blood. In verses 19 through 22 Paul discusses the implications of this. He writes, “So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.”

Paul writes that one consequence of Jesus’ destroying the dividing wall is that the non-Jewish followers of Christ are no longer “strangers and foreigners.” In verse 12 Paul had reminded his readers that before coming to Christ they were “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel” (NIV, “excluded from citizenship in Israel”). Now, they are “fellow citizens with the saints”. The term ‘saints’ needs a little explanation. Some people have the idea that a saint is someone who has done some special work of merit or who has an unusual amount of virtue. But this is not what Paul means. In verse 9 he had already explained that no one is saved by his own works. The basic meaning of the Greek word which Paul uses means, ‘someone who is set apart for special use.’ What Paul is saying is that by accepting Christ, non-Jewish people, as well as the Jews, are included in God’s chosen, that is, those whom God has set apart for His own.

Another consequence of the dividing wall being destroyed is that the non-Jewish people who accept Christ are included in God’s household. What this means is that God treats those who follow Christ as if they were His own children. In chapter 1, verse 5 Paul had already said that God has predestined the followers of Jesus “for adoption as children.” Those who were formerly enemies, have now become brothers in Christ.

Another name for God’s household is ‘church’. We know this because in writing to Timothy, Paul said, “These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God…” (1 Timothy 3:14-15) In chapter 1 of his letter to the Ephesian Christians, Paul called the church, that is, God’s household, a body. But in chapter 2, verses 20 and 21 he writes that it is also a building.

Just as a physical building has a foundation, God’s household also has a foundation. Paul writes that this foundation is the “apostles and prophets.” By ‘apostle’ Paul is no doubt referring to the 12 men whom Christ especially chose to be witnesses on His behalf. Later, Paul himself was added to this group by Christ. By ‘prophet’ it is possible that Paul means the people through whom God caused the Old Testament Scriptures to be written. But it is more likely that he is referring to those people in the Church who were specially gifted to proclaim God’s message prior to the writing of the New Testament Scriptures. In chapter 3, verse 5 Paul says that God’s plan and purpose has now been revealed to the apostles and prophets as it had not been made known in previous generations. Also, in chapter 4, verses 11 through13 Paul writes that the apostles and prophets have been given to the church to prepare God’s people for works of service and so that they may reach unity in the knowledge of Christ. In calling the apostles and prophets the foundation of God’s household, Paul is saying that the church is built on their authority and teaching. From this we can see that any group which denies the authority of the apostles or which does not follow the teachings of the New Testament writings is not part of God’s household.

But the foundation is not merely composed of the apostles and prophets. Paul writes that the cornerstone is Christ Jesus. In other words, if it is not built on Christ the whole building will collapse. As Paul wrote in another place, “For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Another characteristic of God’s household is that it is fitted together. In speaking of the church in chapter 4 of this letter, Paul will emphasize that it is built up in love as each part works together. The church, that is God’s household, is to be united regardless of the different backgrounds of the people in it.

Paul writes that this building is being built into a holy temple. The physical temple in Jerusalem, with its dividing wall, was destroyed just a few years after this letter was written. In its place, God is raising another temple made of the hearts of those redeemed from sin by Christ. In another place Scripture says, “You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)

Paul writes that God lives in this temple by his Spirit. The question is: are we part of the this holy temple so that God may live in us?

Our world is torn by conflict and strife. Wherever one looks countries are at war with one another. People of different religions are at one another’s throats. Uncounted lives are lost because of racial and tribal hatreds. There is conflict between the poor and rich. The cycle of hatred and violence has been going on for thousands of years. The prophet Jeremiah referring to the situation of his day wrote, “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!” (Jeremiah 8:15)

Is there no hope? Can peace ever be achieved? In his inspired letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul assures us that it can. Peace is possible through Jesus Christ. In verses 14 through 18 of chapter 2 Paul writes, “For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”

This short passage describes how Jesus has made it possible not only to be at peace with one another, but also with God. In order to understand how Christ brings peace, it is first necessary to recall the causes of division. In verses 11 and 12 Paul pointed out that the reason for hostility between the Jewish people and non-Jews was racial and religious pride. The Mosaic Law, and particularly the rite of circumcision, became a cause of division and disharmony. But Jesus destroyed the barrier caused by the physical act of circumcision by another physical act. His death fulfilled the Law thus removing it, and the circumcision it commanded, as a barrier between people. Because of what Christ has done, the Mosaic Law no longer applies. In God’s eyes everyone is now equal. Where there is equality, mutual hostility is replaced by oneness. Division gives way to harmony.

Hostility between people is really only a reflection of the more serious disharmony between man and God. The cause of disharmony with God is the “transgressions and sins” which Paul mentioned in verse 1. By choosing to sin, people have deliberately turned away from God who is holy. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Behold, Yahweh’s [that is, the Lord’s] hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; neither his ear heavy, that it can’t hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2) By His death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sin and so through the cross is able to reconcile those who accept His sacrifice on their behalf to God. As Paul writes in another place, “For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him; and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

Reconciliation with God through Christ is not limited to any particular group of people or race. Paul writes that Christ “preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.” (verse 17) By comparing this statement with what Paul had already said in verses 11 through 13 it is clear that those who were ‘far away’ refers to non-Jewish people, while those who were ‘near’ refers to the Jews. Paul’s statement looks back to what Isaiah had prophesied hundreds of years before, ““…Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near,” says Yahweh [that is, the Lord]; “and I will heal them.”” (Isaiah 57:19) God’s words written by Isaiah specifically applied to the people of Israel, but Paul is not misusing them when he applies them to non-Jewish people as well, for in referring to Christ the prophet Zechariah also wrote, “…he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” (Zechariah 9:10)

But how can this be true? How can Paul write that Jesus preached peace when Jesus himself said, “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) On another occasion he said, “Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

The answer to this apparent contradiction is Paul’s statement that peace and reconciliation are achieved through Christ’s cross. It is only when people accept the sacrifice that Christ has made on their behalf that peace results. It is in this context which Jesus’ words about bringing a sword and division can be understood. Jesus also said, “…I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) But if people reject the sacrifice which Jesus made for them on the cross, the alternative is division and the sword. For example, “When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace!… For the days will come on you, when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you… They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”” (Luke 19:41-44) But to his followers Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” (John 14:27) He also said, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The question is: Have we accepted Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf? Or do we reject the cross?

In verse 18 Paul writes that both the Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Christ have access to the Father, that is God, by one Spirit. From this we learn that God not only grants the followers of Christ the privilege of being in God’s household but that He treats each one, regardless of their ethnic background, equally. All have access to God. This access is granted through Christ by means of the Holy Spirit. One result is that the followers of Christ may approach God anywhere. They do not have to be in a particular place, or bow toward a particular geographic location in order to bring their requests to God. As Jesus explained to a lady who had asked about this, “…the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father… the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24) Is that how we approach God?

Who likes to think of the pain and trouble one has experienced in the past? But remembering the troubles of the past helps us to appreciate the blessings we now enjoy. In order for the follower of Christ to truly appreciate how God has blessed him, it is necessary for him to remember his condition before knowing Christ. The Apostle Paul directs his inspired letter to the Ephesian Christians, primarily to those who came from a non-Jewish background. In chapter two, verses one through five, Paul reminded them of how God has resurrected the followers of Christ from spiritual death and exalted them in Christ. In verses 11 and 12 he goes on to remind them of other aspects of their condition before they became Christ’s followers. Though Paul had already emphasized that while both Jews and non-Jews alike were spiritually dead because of sin, the non-Jew faced several additional unique spiritual disadvantages or obstacles. Paul writes, “Therefore 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); that 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.”

Paul points out that one obstacle which non-Jewish people faced was that of prejudice. God had chosen the Jews as the people through whom He would bring the Savior to the world. Instead of being humbled by this privilege, the Jewish people became proud that God had chosen them. Not only did they become proud, but they began to despise non-Jews. Their pride became centered on the rite of circumcision. It is true that God had ordained circumcision through Abraham. But the Jews began to glory in the fact of circumcision rather than in God who had commanded it. In this way they reduced God’s ordinance to the level of human custom. Paul indicates this when he reminds his readers that circumcision is “ in the flesh, made by hands” (NIV, “done in the body by the hands of men”). Elsewhere, Scripture emphasizes that what God is really looking for is not a change in physical appearance, but a change in heart. It says: “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29 NIV) We all need to ask ourselves whether we are alienating people from God by placing undue emphasis on external and physical things rather than on a changed heart.

A second barrier faced by non-Jewish people is that they were separate from Christ. In one sense this is true of everyone who has not yet accepted Christ as their Savior. But for the non-Jew this is doubly so. He is not only spiritually separate from Christ, but racially as well. Jesus Christ was born into the Jewish race. Scripture says: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV) And Jesus himself said, “…salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22 NIV) The non-Jew must overcome his own racial pride in order to come to Christ.

Non-Jewish people were confronted with yet another difficulty. Paul writes that they were “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel” (NIV, “excluded from citizenship in Israel”). This should be taken not only in the sense of the physical nation of Israel but, more importantly, to illustrate a spiritual reality. The fact is that God had chosen the Jews to be His people. For example, God told them through the prophet Amos, “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth…” (Amos 3:2 NIV) Unless they were willing to convert to Judaism the non-Jewish peoples could not participate in that special relationship.

The next disadvantage of the non-Jewish people which Paul lists is that they were unacquainted with the covenants of promise. There are at least two reasons why non-Jewish peoples were unacquainted with God’s promises. The first is that they did not remember God’s word. While Adam and Eve were still in the Garden of Eden, God promised that a Savior would one day come from Eve’s line. Yet, only the Jewish people preserved what God had said. This may be one reason why God later chose them above all other families as His own. Until the coming of Christ, it was the Jews alone who preserved, protected and passed on the holy words which God had revealed. And this brings us to the second reason why the non-Jewish people were unacquainted with the promises. Jesus said, “…I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.” (Luke 19:26 NIV) In accordance with this principle, God stopped revealing His promises to those who did not preserve His word and revealed more to those who did. God let the non-Jewish peoples go their own way while He entered into a covenant relationship with the Jews.

It follows that when someone is unacquainted with God’s word, and therefore does not know of God’s promise of a Savior, that he is without true hope. As scripture says, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 NIV) Mankind has embraced all kinds of philosophies and religions in an attempt to find some sort of meaning in life. None of them can provide hope because they are not based on the truth. Only God’s holy word, which was revealed through the Jewish people, and which they preserved, points to the Savior.

Paul summarizes the plight of non-Jewish peoples when he writes that they were “without God in the world.” It has been the history of mankind to turn away from God, to forget His word and to grope in the darkness without hope and without direction.

If this were the end of the story it would be cause for despair. The Gentile world was trapped in spiritual death with no visible means of escape. But God in His mercy did not leave it there. As the Apostle Paul writes in verse 13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.” It is through Jesus that God gives all of us, including the non-Jew the opportunity to be reconciled to Himself. It is Jesus who breaks down the prejudice and racial barriers which prevent us from approaching God. It is Jesus who is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises. The question is whether we are willing to accept the sacrifice of his blood which He made on our behalf.

In the first 3 verses of chapter 2 of his inspired letter to the Ephesian Christians, Paul states that we all die spiritually because of our sin. Our sin makes us the natural objects of God’s wrath. But God was not content to leave us in a dead state. In verses 4 and 5 Paul writes, “ But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

There are several things worth noting in these verses. One is that even though we sinners deserve God’s wrath, He does not want to subject us to it. He loves us even though we have sinned against Him. As He said through the prophet Ezekiel, “…I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” (Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)

Secondly, it is God who made us alive. It was not something which we were able to accomplish by ourselves.

Thirdly, God made us alive with Christ. Sin must always be paid for. Christ the innocent, took on the penalty of us who were guilty. God cannot, and will not, grant us a new spiritual life until we accept the payment Christ made on our behalf. As Scripture says, “…For if we died with him, we will also live with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11 NIV)

Fourthly, we do not deserve the life that God gives. It is only through His mercy and grace that He made us alive.

God has done more for those who follow Christ than give them new spiritual life. In verses 6 and 7 Paul writes, “and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;” God not only gives new spiritual life to those who were dead because of their sin, He honors and exalts them with the same honor He has given Christ. In chapter 1, verse 20 Paul had written that God “made him [that is, Christ] to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places.” Here Paul writes that those to whom God has given new life are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. Paul writes as if this honor is an accomplished fact. This is not a promise to which the followers of Christ look forward, but it is their present condition. This world often looks down on and dishonors those who follow Christ. But in reality God has given them the highest honor.

Paul also speaks of the future when he writes about the grace God will show Christ’s followers “in the ages to come .” The Apostle John also writes about this grace. He says, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.” (1 John 3:2 NIV) God not only resurrects the followers of Christ from spiritual death, but is in the process of transforming them to become like Himself.

In verses 8 through 10, the Apostle Paul goes on to tell us by what means God saves those follow Christ. He writes, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”

Paul says that God saves us through His grace. From this we can see that God is not obligated to save us. Salvation is undeserved. God saves because He wishes to, not because He must. But while salvation is both initiated and provided by God, salvation is also dependent upon each one of us. Paul writes that we have been saved through faith. The implication is clear: It is only those who believe who are saved. If I refuse to believe, I will not be saved. Even faith, however, is not self-generated. It is God who enables us to believe as Paul says in verse 8, “…and that not of yourselves…” In another place Paul wrote “For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) This is why Paul calls salvation a gift. Both the opportunity for salvation and the ability to accept it come from God. It is truly a gift for we also have the choice to accept or reject it.

But why must we accept salvation as a gift? Can we not perform meritorious acts which will earn salvation? No. Paul makes it clear that God does not accept man’s works. This is an important concept to understand. Many people have the idea that they can do certain works or acts which will counterbalance or wipe out any sin they may have committed. But this concept is wrong. We can never wipe out sin or earn salvation by what we do. If we do good, we have only done what God expects us to do. We can never place God under obligation to us. Jesus explained it to his disciples this way, “But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table,’ and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not. Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’” (Luke 17:7-10 NIV)

Another reason God will not accept man’s work is that He does not want people to boast. God wishes us to come to Him in humility. He wants us to rely on Him and not our own efforts. In another place Scripture says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10 NIV)

If our own good works will not save us, then are we excused from doing them? Not at all. Paul makes it very clear that the followers of Christ are God’s workmanship, created to do good works which God has prepared in advance. The word translated ‘workmanship’ actually expresses the idea of a work of art or a masterpiece. By looking at a work of art one should be able to recognize the artist. The follower of Christ does good works not as a means to obtain salvation but as a manifestation of it. He is in the process of becoming like God. Each one of us needs to examine why we do good works. Are we trying to earn salvation? Or do we do them because we are like the One who gave us life us through Christ?

The Apostle Paul concluded the first chapter of his inspired letter to the Ephesians by expressing how mighty and exalted Jesus Christ is. God has placed everything and everyone under His authority. But while Christ is exalted above everyone, what is the status of the people to whom Paul is writing? In chapter 2, verses 1 through 3 he says: “You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, in 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; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”

The previous condition of the Gentile people to whom Paul is writing was that they were dead. He does not mean that these people were dead physically because in the next verse he makes it clear that they were dead while they were following the ways of this world. The death that Paul is talking about is spiritual death. What caused this death? Paul writes that it was their own transgressions and sins. This agrees with what Scripture says elsewhere, “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 NIV)

Paul goes on to specify what the sin was. It was following “the course of this world.” The Apostle John explains what this means in greater detail. He writes, “Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NIV) It is because these people chose to follow man’s cravings, lust and boasting rather than love God, that they died spiritually.

But this is not the only reason they died. Not only did they turn their backs on God but they chose to follow someone else. Paul calls this being “the prince of the power of the air” (NIV, “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”). It is not entirely clear what this phrase means, but by considering some of the properties of air we can, perhaps, make a good guess. Air is necessary for man to live. Man can live without a great many things, but air is not one of them. Perhaps Paul is emphasizing that wherever man may live, without exception, this being is also present. In this life there is no place where man may go to escape the influence of this being. Air is also, for the most part, invisible. We know it only by observing its effects. In the same way we cannot directly observe this being. We can only observe his influence upon us and others. Paul identifies this “prince of the power of the air” as a spirit who is working in those who are disobedient. Wherever we see disobedience to God and His plan at work, we may be sure that we are seeing the effects of this spirit. It may be that Paul is using the word ‘air’ as a synonym for the attitude of disobedience. In any case, it is safe to say that this ruler is the same being that the Apostle John calls the “prince of this world,” that is the devil. (See John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)

It is not only the Gentile people who were dead in their transgressions and sins. In verse 3, the Apostle Paul includes himself and the Jewish people as well when he says, “we also.” Racial heritage is not enough to save anyone. Those who choose to follow the ways of the world are spiritually dead regardless of their genealogy.

There is another similarity between the Jewish and non-Jewish peoples. Paul writes, “…[we] were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Verse 3) The phrase ‘by nature’ requires some explaining. There are some who believe that mankind was created with an evil nature. But this cannot be true for Scripture says, “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 NIV) Obviously, if God declared man to be ‘very good’ then he was not created with an evil nature.

Other people believe that mankind was good and pure when created but that we all inherit Adam’s sin. It is true that physical death came to mankind as a consequence of Adam’s sin, but spiritual guilt is not inherited. Scripture is very clear that each individual pays the spiritual consequences for his or her own decisions and actions. For example, it was revealed through the prophet Ezekiel, “…the soul who sins, he shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20 NIV)

If man was not created evil and he does not inherit guilt, then what does Paul mean? He can only mean that the nature of a person somehow becomes changed in order to make us ‘a child of wrath.’ What is the agent of this change? It is our own sin. In verse 1 Paul said that it was the transgressions and sins of the Gentile peoples which had caused them to die spiritually, and in verse three he included the Jewish people when he said that they followed their own fleshly desires. When we sin, it changes our nature. It transforms us from something which God had declared ‘very good’ into something which by its very nature is subject to God’s wrath. The expression Paul uses, ‘children of wrath’ is a figure of speech meaning someone who deserves God’s wrath. People do not suffer God’s displeasure or judgment because of what someone else did or because they have chanced to be born into Adam’s race, but because they themselves deserve it. When we sin, we die spiritually and expose ourselves to God’s righteous judgment.

If, as Paul says, both Jews and Gentiles have become corrupt in nature and deserve God’s wrath then is there no hope? Indeed there is. In verses 4 and 5 Paul writes, “But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

A great deal could be said about what Paul has written in these verses. But the key thing to note is that life is not self-generated. We all were spiritually dead because of our sin. If we are now alive, it is because God has made us alive.