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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Ephesians 2:4–10. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here the apostle begins his account of the glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace, where observe,
I.By whom, and in what manner, it was brought about and effected.
1.Negatively: Not of yourselves, Eph 2:8. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities, nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast, Eph 2:9. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, and therefore all boasting is excluded; he who glories must not glory in himself, but in the Lord. There is no room for any man's boasting of his own abilities and power; or as though he had done any thing that might deserve such immense favours from God.
2.Positively: But God, who is rich in mercy, etc., Eph 2:4. God himself is the author of this great and happy change, and his great love is the spring and fontal cause of it; hence he resolved to show mercy. Love is his inclination to do us good considered simply as creatures; mercy respects us as apostate and as miserable creatures. Observe, God's eternal love or good-will towards his creatures is the fountain whence all his mercies vouch-safed to us proceed; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy of his is rich mercy, inexpressibly great and inexhaustibly rich. And then by grace you are saved (Eph 2:5), and by grace are you saved through faith - it is the gift of God, Eph 2:8. Note, Every converted sinner is a saved sinner. Such are delivered from sin and wrath; they are brought into a state of salvation, and have a right given them by grace to eternal happiness. The grace that saves them is the free undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves them, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, by means of which they come to partake of the great blessings of the gospel; and both that faith and that salvation on which it has so great an influence are the gift of God. The great objects of faith are made known by divine revelation, and made credible by the testimony and evidence which God hath given us; and that we believe to salvation and obtain salvation through faith is entirely owing to divine assistance and grace; God has ordered all so that the whole shall appear to be of grace. Observe,
II.Wherein this change consists, in several particulars, answering to the misery of our natural state, some of which are enumerated in this section, and others are mentioned below.
1.We who were dead are quickened (Eph 2:5), we are saved from the death of sin and have a principle of spiritual life implanted in us. Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. As death locks up the senses, seals up all the powers and faculties, so does a state of sin, as to any thing that is good. Grace unlocks and opens all, and enlarges the soul. Observe, A regenerate sinner becomes a living soul: he lives a life of sanctification, being born of God; and he lives in the sense of the law, being delivered from the guilt of sin by pardoning and justifying grace. He hath quickened us together with Christ. Our spiritual life results from our union with Christ; it is in him that we live: Because I live, you shall live also.
2.We who were buried are raised up, Eph 2:6. What remains yet to be done is here spoken of as though it were already past, though indeed we are raised up in virtue of our union with him whom God hath raised from the dead. When he raised Christ from the dead, he did in effect raise up all believers together with him, he being their common head; and when he placed him at his right hand in heavenly places, he advanced and glorified them in and with him, their raised and exalted head and forerunner. - And made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This may be understood in another sense. Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in heavenly places, are raised above the world; the world is as nothing to them, compared with what it has been, and compared with what the other world is. Saints are not only Christ's freemen, but they are assessors with him; by the assistance of his grace they have ascended with him above this world to converse with another, and they live in the constant expectation of it. They are not only servants to the best of masters in the best work, but they are exalted to reign with him; they sit upon the throne with Christ, as he has sat down with his Father on his throne.
III.Observe what is the great design and aim of God in producing and effecting this change: And this,
1.With respect to others: That in the ages to come he might show, etc. (Eph 2:7), that he might give a specimen and proof of his great goodness and mercy, for the encouragement of sinners in future time. Observe, The goodness of God in converting and saving sinners heretofore is a proper encouragement to others in after-time to hope in his grace and mercy, and to apply themselves to these. God having this in his design, poor sinners should take great encouragement from it. And what may we not hope for from such grace and kindness, from riches of grace, to which this change is owing? Through Christ Jesus, by and through whom God conveys all his favour and blessings to us.
2.With respect to the regenerated sinners themselves: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, etc., Eph 2:10. It appears that all is of grace, because all our spiritual advantages are from God. We are his workmanship; he means in respect of the new creation; not only as men, but as saints. The new man is a new creature; and God is its Creator. It is a new birth, and we are born or begotten of his will. In Christ Jesus, that is, on the account of what he has done and suffered, and by the influence and operation of his blessed Spirit. Unto good works, etc. The apostle having before ascribed this change to divine grace in exclusion of works, lest he should seem thereby to discourage good works, he here observes that though the change is to be ascribed to nothing of that nature (for we are the workmanship of God), yet God, in his new creation, has designed and prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that we should be fruitful in them. Wherever God by his grace implants good principles, they are intended to be for good works. Which God hath before ordained, that is, decreed and appointed. Or, the words may be read, To which God hath before prepared us, that is, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and with the assistance of his Holy Spirit; and by producing such a change in us. That we should walk in them, or glorify God by an exemplary conversation and by our perseverance in holiness.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
For in truth he did destroy the works of desire, love of money, contentiousness, vanity, mad lust for women, paederasty, gluttony, licentiousness, and similar vices. Their birth is the soul's corruption, since then we are "dead in sins." And this is the incontinence referred to as "female."
God made us in Christ. So it is through Christ once again that he has formed us anew. We are his members; he our Head.
"Even when we were dead through our trespasses He quickened us together with Christ." Again is Christ introduced, and it is a matter well worthy of our belief, because if the Firstfruits live, so do we also. He hath quickened both Him, and us. Seest thou that all this is said of Christ incarnate? Beholdest thou "the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe?" Them that were dead, them that were children of wrath, them hath he quickened. Beholdest thou "the hope of his calling?"
The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory that will be revealed in us. If so, we are saved by grace rather than works, for we can give God nothing in return for what he has bestowed on us.
Since he rose, we hope that we too shall rise. He himself [by his rising] has paid our debt. Then Paul explains more plainly how great the gift is: “You are saved by grace.” For it is not because of the excellence of our lives that we have been called but because of the love of our Savior.
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Summary
Ephesians 2:5 masterfully encapsulates the radical transformation wrought by God's sovereign grace, declaring that even while humanity was spiritually incapacitated and alienated by sin, God, in His boundless mercy, intervened to impart new life. This verse highlights the profound truth that our spiritual resurrection is intimately linked to and united with Christ's own resurrection, emphasizing that salvation is a completely unmerited gift, received not by human effort but solely by divine favor.
Context
Literary Context
Ephesians 2:5 serves as the pivotal turning point in Paul's theological exposition, dramatically shifting from the grim diagnosis of humanity's fallen state to the glorious declaration of God's redemptive work. The preceding verses (Ephesians 2:1-3) paint a stark picture of spiritual death, trespasses, and sins, describing humanity as "dead in trespasses and sins," enslaved to "the course of this world," and "children of wrath." Verse 4 then introduces the divine initiative with the powerful phrase, "But God, being rich in mercy..." setting the stage for the revelation of His quickening power in verse 5. This verse is immediately followed by a cascade of blessings in Ephesians 2:6-7, where believers are described as being raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, demonstrating the full extent of God's work. The entire passage culminates in Ephesians 2:8-10, which further elaborates on salvation by grace through faith, emphasizing that it is "not of works, lest any man should boast," but for the purpose of good works prepared beforehand by God.
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul's letter to the Ephesians was written to a diverse church in Ephesus, a prominent Roman city in Asia Minor known for its temple of Artemis (Diana) and a strong presence of magic and pagan worship. The believers in Ephesus, both Jewish and Gentile, would have understood the pervasive influence of idolatry and the moral decay often associated with it. The concept of "spiritual death" would resonate deeply in a culture where various mystery religions promised "life" or "immortality" through rituals or esoteric knowledge. Paul's message directly counters these human-centric attempts at salvation, asserting that true life comes solely from God's intervention, not from human striving or religious performance. The idea of being "quickened together with Christ" would also stand in stark contrast to the prevalent death-focused cults and the general hopelessness regarding the afterlife outside of Christ.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ephesians and Pauline theology. It underscores the theme of spiritual death and resurrection, presenting humanity's natural state as utterly lifeless apart from God, and God's work as a divine reanimation. It highlights the divine initiative in salvation, emphasizing that God acts first and alone to save those who are helpless. The parenthetical clause introduces the foundational theme of salvation by grace, a central tenet of Paul's gospel, asserting that salvation is an unmerited gift, not an earned reward. This theme is further developed in Ephesians 2:8-9. Furthermore, the phrase "together with Christ" introduces the profound theme of union with Christ, signifying that believers' new life is inextricably linked to Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, a concept explored throughout Paul's letters, such as in Romans 6.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From an apparently primary (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead. In this context, nekrós is used figuratively to describe a state of spiritual lifelessness and separation from God. It implies complete inability to respond to God or to initiate any spiritual good, much like a physical corpse cannot act.
From σύν and ζωοποιέω; to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively):--quicken together with. This powerful compound verb signifies a co-animation or co-resurrection. It means God made us alive with Christ, indicating that our spiritual vivification is not merely parallel to Christ's resurrection but is a direct participation in it, a shared experience of new life.
From χαίρω; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). Cháris here refers to God's unmerited favor, His benevolent and undeserved kindness that is the sole source of salvation. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift freely given, not earned or deserved.
Verse Breakdown
"Even when we were dead in sins"
This phrase reiterates the dire spiritual condition of humanity apart from God, as established in Ephesians 2:1. The term "dead" (Greek: nekrós) signifies a state of complete spiritual incapacitation and separation from divine life, rendering individuals utterly unable to respond to God or save themselves. "In sins" (Greek: en tois paraptomasin) specifies the nature of this death – it is caused by transgressions and moral failures, which alienate humanity from a holy God.
"hath quickened us together with Christ"
This is the dramatic turning point, highlighting God's sovereign and merciful intervention. The verb "hath quickened us together with" (Greek: synezōopoiēsen) signifies a profound act of divine reanimation. It emphasizes that God made believers spiritually alive, and crucially, that this new life is intrinsically linked to and shared with Christ's own resurrection life. Our spiritual quickening is a participation in His victory over death and sin, establishing a new, vital union.
"(by grace ye are saved;)"
This parenthetical clause serves as a foundational theological declaration, underscoring the exclusive means by which this quickening and salvation occur. "By grace" (Greek: chariti) unequivocally states that salvation is not earned by human merit, works, or religious observance, but is a free, unmerited gift flowing from God's benevolent favor and undeserved kindness. "Ye are saved" (Greek: este sesōsmenoi) uses a perfect passive participle, indicating a completed action with ongoing results – believers have been saved, and remain in a state of salvation, entirely by God's initiative.
Literary Devices
Ephesians 2:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is Contrast, which is central to the entire passage of Ephesians 2:1-10. Paul starkly contrasts the state of being "dead in sins" with being "quickened... with Christ," highlighting the radical shift from spiritual lifelessness to vibrant new life. This is further emphasized by the Metaphor of "death" and "quickening" (making alive), which vividly portrays the human condition apart from God as utterly inert and the divine intervention as a miraculous resurrection. The phrase "(by grace ye are saved;)" functions as a Parenthesis, a sudden, explanatory interjection that emphasizes the foundational theological principle underlying the entire transformation. This parenthetical statement serves to underscore the unmerited nature of salvation, ensuring the reader grasps that this miraculous quickening is solely due to God's undeserved favor.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Ephesians 2:5 is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming God's absolute sovereignty in salvation and the radical nature of His grace. It dismantles any notion of human merit in achieving spiritual life, unequivocally declaring that our deliverance from spiritual death is entirely a divine work. This verse beautifully illustrates the concept of divine initiative: God acts first, not in response to human worthiness, but out of His "rich mercy" and "great love." The "quickening" is not merely a resuscitation but a complete impartation of new life, inextricably linked to the resurrected life of Christ, establishing a profound union between believers and their Savior. This truth fosters deep humility and profound gratitude, reminding believers that their standing before God is solely due to His unmerited favor.
Reflection and Application
Ephesians 2:5 offers a profound wellspring of comfort, humility, and assurance for every believer. It serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation is not a result of our striving, our good deeds, or our inherent goodness, but is solely a miraculous act of God's unmerited grace. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of humility, recognizing that we were utterly helpless and spiritually dead, incapable of saving ourselves. It simultaneously fuels immense gratitude, prompting us to live lives that reflect the boundless love and mercy we have received. For those who struggle with assurance, this verse provides a firm foundation: if our salvation depends entirely on God's power and grace, rather than our fluctuating performance, then our security is in His unchanging character. This new life in Christ empowers us to walk in the "good works" that God prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10), not to earn salvation, but as a joyful response to the salvation already received. It also provides a powerful message of hope for the lost, demonstrating that no one is too "dead in sins" for God's quickening power to reach and transform.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to be "dead in sins"?
To be "dead in sins" (Greek: nekrós en tois paraptomasin) means to be spiritually lifeless, separated from God, and utterly incapable of responding to Him or initiating any spiritual good. It's not merely being sick or weak, but being in a state of complete spiritual inability, much like a physical corpse cannot move or breathe. This condition is a result of our "trespasses and sins," which are acts of rebellion and deviation from God's perfect will. This concept is further elaborated in Ephesians 2:1, where Paul describes humanity's natural state apart from Christ.
How are believers "quickened together with Christ"?
To be "quickened together with Christ" (Greek: syzōopoiēō syn Christō) means that God, by His sovereign power, imparted spiritual life to us, uniting us with Christ in His resurrection. Our new life is not an independent spiritual event, but a direct participation in Christ's victory over sin and death. When Christ was raised from the dead, believers, by faith, were spiritually raised with Him. This signifies a profound, mystical union where His life becomes our life, transforming us from spiritual death to spiritual vitality. This union is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, as described in passages like Colossians 2:12-13.
Why is the phrase "(by grace ye are saved;)" so significant?
This parenthetical phrase is profoundly significant because it unequivocally declares that salvation is an unmerited gift from God, received solely through His "grace" (Greek: cháris), which is His undeserved favor and benevolent kindness. It emphasizes that salvation is not earned by human works, merit, or adherence to religious law, but is freely given by God. This truth removes any basis for boasting in human achievement and places all glory on God's initiative and love. It is a cornerstone of Christian theology, reiterated and expanded upon in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Ephesians 2:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "quickening" of those "dead in sins" is not an abstract spiritual concept but a direct consequence of Christ's finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. He is the source of this new life, for it is "with Christ" that we are made alive. His death paid the penalty for our sins, breaking the power of spiritual death, and His resurrection demonstrated His triumph over sin and the grave, becoming the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Our spiritual resurrection is a participation in His, meaning we are not merely given life but are united to the very life of the resurrected Lord. This union with Christ means that His victory is our victory, His righteousness our righteousness, and His new life our new life. The "grace" by which we are saved is the outpouring of God's love made manifest in the sacrificial giving of His Son (John 3:16). Thus, Ephesians 2:5 powerfully proclaims that our salvation, from beginning to end, is entirely Christ-centered, flowing from His atoning sacrifice and His life-giving resurrection power (Romans 6:4).