Ephesians 2:2

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Wednesday, 20 July 2016

…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 sons of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2

This verse follows in one continued thought from verse 1 –

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses 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 sons of disobedience…”

The words “in which” speak of “trespasses and sins.” Paul, writing to the Ephesians notes that they (and thus also we who follow after) “once walked according to the course of this world.” The word “course” simply means “age.” The current age of this world is one of trespasses and sins. People are conceived in sin, they are born in sin, they live in sin, and they die in sin. Without Christ, this would be the continued course of this world for all people and forever. Our walk would be a walk of death leading to death.

Paul further expands on the thought with the words, “according to the prince of the power of the air.” There can be no doubt that this is speaking of the devil; Satan. He is the ruler of this “course” or “age.” He deceived Adam and from that moment on, he has had the rule over all that has occurred here. The title given to him by Paul, “the prince of the power of the air,” is unique in the Bible and it has given scholars a great deal of debate as to what it exactly means.

However, it isn’t too difficult to determine by thinking about the way that the world has been structured. Man was created a temporal (physical) being. He was given dominion over the earth. The air surrounds the earth and it is the sphere in which we move. As angels and demons are spirit beings, they don’t move on the earth as we do. Rather, their movement can be equated to moving through the air. They rule over “the sons of disobedience” meaning fallen man, from this position.

However, God is above them, ruling from heaven. Thus, He is ultimately in control of all things, even within the sphere of “the air” where the devil exercises his power. This is evidenced in the book of Job. It is also seen in the gospels, Acts, and elsewhere. In 1 Thessalonians 4, we read these words –

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17

Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the pit of the ground (the grave), demonstrating His authority over that realm. He will catch up those on the earth who are still alive, demonstrating His authority over that realm. And together, we will meet Him in the air, demonstrating His authority over that realm. It will be an “in your face” demonstration to the devil, showing that he is utterly defeated by the authority of Christ.

Paul’s words show that we were once under the power of the devil. We dwelt in his sphere of influence and we walked according to his government. And this government, though defeated in Christ, continues on at this time. It is ruled by this same “spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.”

As we look at the world around us, we can see the evident truth of this. Those who are not redeemed certainly walk in the course of this world. They are under the rule of the devil and they are subject to his wicked direction. Unfortunately, far too many Christians still walk according to his rule, even though they have been freed from the power of the trespasses and sins which they once were subjugated to.

Life application: We have been freed from the devil’s power by the work of Christ, and yet how often do we allow ourselves to fall back into his sphere of wickedness! Let us consider that we have been bought with a price. We belong to a new Master, and our allegiance is to be to Him and to Him alone. Let us endeavor to live for Christ at all times.

Heavenly Father, there is a great spiritual battle going on in this world. There is the rule of the devil and his sphere of influence which permeates all people who have not been redeemed by Christ. Help us to be light to this world of darkness, leading many to the greater rule of Christ. In Him, there is freedom from sin and death. And while we are engaged in this battle, help us to not fall back into the trap of the devil and allow ourselves to be overtaken by his many temptations. Keep us on the holy path of Christ at all times. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:1

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Tuesday, 19 July 2016

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1

There is a lot going on in Chapter 2 of Ephesians. In one sense, the first verses match the Genesis creation account. Verses 1-3 reflect the chaos which occurred at the beginning. Verse 4 parallels the Spirit of God hovering over those waters of chaos. Verses 4-10 reflect the calling of creation into order. What occurred on a physical level in creation also occurs in a spiritual sense in the redemption of man.

There are also two streams of attention which are being addressed in this chapter. In verses 1, 8, & 11, Paul writes in the second person. However, in verses 3, 10, & 14, he writes in the first person. The two streams are united in verse 18 with the words, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Together, Jew and Gentile are united as one as described by Paul in verses 19-22. It is a masterful use of writing to demonstrate the marvel of what Christ has done in and for His redeemed.

This first verse of the chapter begins with, “And you He made alive.” The words “He made alive” are not in the original, but are inferred from verse 2:5. What Paul has done is jump back to his thought which ended in verse 1:14. From verses 1:15-23, Paul redirected his attention temporarily and now he continues with the process of what occurs in the believer. If we take 1:13, 14 and place 2:1 directly after them, we can see what Paul is relaying –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. … And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins…”

Our trusting in Christ (and not a moment before, Calvinists) led to being sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is our guarantee. At that moment our spirits were regenerated and we were made alive together with Christ. The rebirth is complete in the exercising of our faith and in what results from that.

The verse ends with, “who were dead in trespasses and sins.” If the inserted words are removed, the thought follows naturally with Ephesians 1:13, 14 and which then is followed naturally with the subject (God) of verse 2:4 and the object (us) of verse 2:5  –

1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. … 2:1 And you, who were dead in trespasses and sins, … God … made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”

Obviously the “us” of verse 2:5 speaks of both Jew and Gentile who Paul refers to in the interim verses, but the overall stream of thought is realized when the verses are placed in this order. The intent of Paul’s words is to show that humanity is fallen. There is no spiritual life in us, but through faith in the work of Christ, the spiritual connection to God is reestablished.

What Adam lost for us, Christ has regained for us. The chaos of mankind is brought into harmony and order through the work of Christ.

Life application: As the human spirit can only be regenerated through faith in the work of Christ, then it follows logically that Jesus’ claim of John 14:6 is true. He is the way the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through Him.

O God, the New Testament of the Bible shows that there is only one way to be reconciled to You, and that is through the work of Jesus Christ. I place my hope, my trust, and my faith in Christ alone. Grant me the burning desire to share this message to the world all of my days. In Christ, there is pardon and full redemption. Without Him, there is only eternal separation. Thank You for the work of Christ my Lord. Amen.