From Death to Life (2:1-10)

EPHESIANS 2:1-10
- From Death to Life -

In a sense, all of chapter 1 was preparatory to the actual content of the Epistle. Chapter 2 begins with a description of what the Ephesians were saved from (wrath/death) and what they are saved to (love/life).

Questions to Consider

1. What is the meaning of ‘dead’ (1)
- Total Depravity (hard version): Takes this in a literal manner (completely dead spiritually)
- Total Depravity (soft version): Takes this is a metaphorically manner (as good as dead, cut off from the source of life)

2. What 3 systems are at play for those that are dead in their sins? (2-3)
- World- It's patterns
- Satan- His deceptions and temptations
- Flesh- It's desires/lusts

3. Are these 3 systems still present in the life of a believer? (2-4)
- They are still present, but no longer in power
- The Church becomes the shaping human influence rather than the world
- The Spirit becomes the shaping spiritual influence rather than Satan
- The renewed mind becomes the shaping willing influence rather than the flesh

4. Why is Satan referred to as the ruler of the kingdom of the air? (2)
- This could refer to the principalities and powers all around us (not flesh and blood)

5. What is the difference between mercy and grace? What motivates them? (4-5)
- Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve (punishment)
- Grace is when God does give us what we don't deserve (blessing/reward)

6. What is the purpose of verses 6-7 (why the past and future tenses?)
- The past tense is used in 6 b/c it is true of Christ and we are 'in Christ' so it is as good as done for us as well. I heard someone say recently that because we are "seated with Christ in the heavenly realms" then our prayers should take on a different emphasis. Rather than simply asking God to intervene in a situation- we should be asking more along the lines of "how are we going to get this done together?" in other words, it is more of a "partnering" approach than a hiearchal approach.
- The future tense is used in 7 b/c, though we experience a foretaste of blessing now, the best is yet to come (complete fulfillment)

7. What is Paul speaking against with his statement that we are not saved by works and why? (8-9)
- Good deeds were never to be a means to earn salvation, they are a mark of who has already received it

8. How does Paul’s positive statement about works fit with the previous verses? (10)
- It shows that Paul was not opposed to works. By no means! Works were a necessary response!

9. What is the significance of the last phrase “which God prepared in advance for us to do”? (10)
- God has prepared good works for us. It is our job to see them and do them.