Ephesians 2:1-2 (WEL) In the past, when you were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 You lived according to this world’s way, according to the Commander of the power of the air. This is the unseen world, the spirit that now works in the children of stubborn disobedience.
Chapter summary:
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) 2:1-10 In this paragraph, Paul gives three reasons why God wanted to save people: (1) to show His love (vv. 1-6); (2) to show His grace (vv. 7-9); and (3) to show His workmanship by our doing good works (v. 10).
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) 2:11-22 Paul now expands the concept of the Body of Christ put forward in 1:23: (1) He brings us near (2:11-13); (2) He gives us peace (2:14-17); (3) He gives us access (2:18); and (4) He gives us a new family (2:19-22).
V1 In the past, when you were dead in trespasses and sins,
Death in the Bible is not a cessation of life, consciousness, personality, reason, etc. Death in the Bible does mean a separation from God, His fellowship, His blessings, from innocence (there is guilt), from peace (with God). Physical death is the soul and spirit are separated from the body to either heaven (for those who believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ) or Hades (torment as in Luke 16:0 and finally the Lake of Fire for eternal torment, darkness, and no comfort in anything. That last state (Lake of Fire) is conscious life (Revelation 14:10, Matthew 25:41, and Matthew 25:46).
Sin separates us from life—spiritual, emotional, and physical life. It affects every area of our lives from reason, will, decision-making, emotions, truth, etc. Compare James 2:26.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary):
“Because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), all people are spiritually dead—separated from God who is the Source of spiritual life. Sin makes a person hate the light and despise the truth; it causes one to break God’s laws and to become insensitive to holy things. Everyone who has not been redeemed by Christ is spiritually dead (Luke 15:32; Ephesians 2:1–3; Colossians 2:13).
“The Bible also speaks of “the second death” (Revelation 2:11), which is eternal death, the everlasting separation of the lost from God in HELL. The “second death” is equated with “the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14); “the lake which burns with fire and brimstone . . . is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).”
V2 You lived according to this world’s way, according to the Commander of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of stubborn disobedience.
The world’s way is the way of life, rules, worldview, relationships, etc. It is the opposite of God’s way of life, worldview, laws, etc.
The commander of the power of the air is the chosen word because the Greek word for prince is G0758. ἄρχων archōn, which means (CWSB Dictionary) “of the chief of the fallen angels, Satan, the chief of demons (Matthew 9:34; 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15), called “the ruler of this world,” which means Satan ruling in the hearts of worldly and wicked men (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), also the prince or ruler of “the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).”
Satan is not god, but he does have great power and ability to do evil.
Normally, satan and his hordes are hidden from view. All non-believers are followers of satan’s ways, especially in rebellion to God and His ways. There is stubborn disobedience because truth and God is known but rejected and suppressed (Romans 1:18-24).
We learn:
- About death, physical and spiritual.
- About our former life dedicated to satan’s ways vs the current life of God’s ways.
Questions:
- Are you spiritually dead?
- As a Christian, are you living and thinking the devil’s ways or God’s ways?