Charles Spurgeon Commentary Ephesians 2:1

"And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins," — Ephesians 2:1 (ASV)

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

What a great change, then, has taken place in the people of God!

It is described as being similar to the resurrection of the dead. And do you suppose that this took place without a person's knowing it? Do you think that we are wrong in stating a wide difference between the quickened ones and the dead? I think not.

In fact, those addresses made to congregations in which there is no distinction made between the living and the dead in Zion, are deceptive. And prayers that are meant to suit congregations of mingled character, where some are dead in sin and others alive unto God, are, on the very face of them, an attempt at an impossibility.

As great as the distinction is between the dead in their graves and living men who walk the streets, so great is the difference between the regenerate and unregenerate.

Do you think that, in reading this verse, dear friends, you could apply it to yourself: and you, and you, and you, hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sin?

And you He has quickened,

Is it so? Can anyone lay his hand on your shoulder, and say right into your ear, "You He has quickened"? If so, why this deadness of spirit? Why this worldliness? Why these wanderings? "You He has quickened,"

And you He has quickened,

You, who were by nature dead, are now made alive to God by the Holy Spirit. If you had nothing else to think of, all day long, but just these five words, they might suffice to lift you up to the very heights of grateful adoration of your quickening Lord: And you He has quickened,.

Who were dead in trespasses and sins;

These were your grave clothes, or the charnel-house in which you would have continued to lie if the quickening power of God the Holy Spirit had not brought you out into newness of life.

And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

These were your grave clothes. You were wrapped up in them.

Nay, this was your sarcophagus. You were shut up in it, as in a great stone coffin: Dead in trespasses and sins.

And you he has made alive.

Is it so? Could the apostle say that to you, and to me?

Who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Look back to what you used to be, to the hole of the pit from where you were dug: You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.

And you he has quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Then you owe your very life to him. You were dead; you were like a corrupt carcass, but his life has been breathed into you. You he has quickened. Then you are no longer dead; you are a living soul before the living God, and as you owe this to him, praise him with all the life you have. You were dead in trespasses and sins; –