Matthew Henry Commentary Ephesians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ephesians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
Ephesians 2
"And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-- but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them." — Ephesians 2:1-10 (ASV)
Sin is the death of the soul. A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures. When we look upon a corpse, it evokes an awful feeling. A never-dying spirit has now fled and has left nothing but the ruins of a man. But if we viewed things correctly, we would be far more affected by the thought of a dead soul, a lost, fallen spirit.
A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan. Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition found in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men. From Scripture it is clear that whether men have been most prone to sensual or to spiritual wickedness, all men, being naturally children of disobedience, are also by nature children of wrath. What reason then do sinners have to seek earnestly for that grace which will make them, from children of wrath, children of God and heirs of glory!
God's eternal love or good-will toward his creatures is the fountain from which all his mercies flow to us; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy is rich mercy. And every converted sinner is a saved sinner, delivered from sin and wrath. The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.
Grace in the soul is a new life in the soul. A regenerated sinner becomes a living soul; he lives a life of holiness, being born of God: he lives, being delivered from the guilt of sin by pardoning and justifying grace. Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in heavenly places, are raised above this world by Christ's grace. The goodness of God in converting and saving sinners previously encourages others in later times to hope in his grace and mercy.
Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation are not of works, lest any man should boast. These things are not brought about by anything done by us; therefore, all boasting is excluded. All is the free gift of God, and the effect of being quickened by his power. It was his purpose, to which he prepared us—by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and his Holy Spirit producing in us such a change—that we should glorify God by our good conduct and perseverance in holiness.
No one can misuse Scripture to abuse this doctrine or accuse it of any tendency to evil. All who do so are without excuse.
"Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ." — Ephesians 2:11-13 (ASV)
Christ and His covenant are the foundation of all the Christian's hopes. A sad and terrible description is here; but who is able to remove himself from it? If only this were not a true description of many baptized in the name of Christ.
Who can, without trembling, reflect upon the misery of a person separated forever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no Savior, and without any God but a God of vengeance, to all eternity? To have no part in Christ! What true Christian can hear this without horror?
Salvation is far from the wicked; but God is a help near at hand to His people; and this is through the sufferings and death of Christ.
"For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, [so] making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father." — Ephesians 2:14-18 (ASV)
Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of Himself; in every sense, Christ was their Peace, the author, center, and substance of their being at peace with God, and of their union with Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into His presence with their worship and services, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son. Christ purchased for us permission to come to God; and the Spirit gives a heart to come, and strength to come, and then grace to serve God acceptably.
"So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit." — Ephesians 2:19-22 (ASV)
The church is compared to a city, and every converted sinner is a citizen of it. It is also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the family—a servant, and a child in God's house. The church is also compared to a building, founded on the doctrine of Christ, taught by the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New.
God dwells in all believers now; they become the temple of God through the working of the blessed Spirit. Let us then ask if our hopes are fixed on Christ, according to the doctrine of his word? Have we devoted ourselves as holy temples to God through him?
Are we habitations of God by the Spirit? Are we spiritually-minded, and do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Let us take heed not to grieve the holy Comforter. Let us desire his gracious presence, and his influences upon our hearts.
Let us seek to discharge the duties allotted to us, to the glory of God.
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