Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 2:1

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

“As for you” resumes the second person of 1:13, 15–18 and anticipates v.11 (“you who are Gentiles by birth”). However, as v.3 makes clear, the Jews are in no better condition, for the sinful human nature is shared by all alike (cf. Romans 2:1– 3:20). Redemption has made it possible for human beings to be brought from death to life (v.5). Without God, people are spiritually dead (Colossians 2:13) and utterly unable to meet the requirements of the divine law (Romans 7:9). Paul is not speaking here about physical death nor only about the sinner’s ultimate fate in the second death. What is meant is a real and present death. The most vital part of a person’s personality—the spirit—is dead to the most important factor in life —God.

“Transgressions” (GK 4183) are lapses, while “sins” (GK 281) are shortcomings. This repetition simply serves to underscore the multiplicity of ways in which our spiritual death is evidenced.