Ephesians 2:5

KJV

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

KJV (with Strong's)

Even {G2532} when we {G2248} were {G5607} dead {G3498} in sins {G3900}, hath quickened us together with {G4806} Christ {G5547},(by grace {G5485} ye are {G2075} saved {G4982};)

Complete Jewish Bible

that, even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, he brought us to life along with the Messiah — it is by grace that you have been delivered.

Berean Standard Bible

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

American Standard Version

even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

Commentary

### 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](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Humanity's Spiritual Death")) 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](/ephesians/2-6-7 "Ephesians 2:6-7 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places"), 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](/ephesians/2-8-10 "Ephesians 2:8-10 - Grace, Faith, and Good Works"), 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](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). 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](/romans/6 "Romans 6 - Union with Christ in Death and Resurrection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** 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.
* **quickened us together with (Greek, _syzōopoiéō'_):** 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.
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** 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](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Trespasses and Sins"). 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](/ephesians/2-1-10 "Ephesians 2:1-10 - From Death to Life by Grace"). 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.

* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")
* [Colossians 2:13](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13 - Made Alive with Christ")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Not by Works, but by Mercy")

### 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](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")), 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
* **How does understanding your prior state as "dead in sins" deepen your appreciation for God's grace?**
* **In what ways does knowing you were "quickened together with Christ" impact your identity and purpose today?**
* **How can the truth that "by grace ye are saved" free you from performance-based living and foster greater assurance?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live out the gratitude and humility that this verse inspires?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to be "dead in sins"?**

Answer: 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](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Trespasses and Sins"), where Paul describes humanity's natural state apart from Christ.

**How are believers "quickened together with Christ"?**

Answer: 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](/colossians/2-12-13 "Colossians 2:12-13 - Buried and Raised with Christ").

**Why is the phrase "(by grace ye are saved;)" so significant?**

Answer: 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](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"), 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](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). 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](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). 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](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 3:24

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 15:11

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Ephesians 2:1

¶ And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Romans 8:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.