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EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
Introduction
Paul was a Roman slave and wrote the Book of Ephesians while he was in Roman prison.
He wrote this book around 61-62AD and was writing it to the people of Ephesus. During that
time, he wrote 4 books, which were Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. As
previously I have mentioned Paul was writing this book to the people of Ephesus, but in a reality,
I feel as if he was writing to the people around the world. The reason why I feel that is because
he does not mention anyone in particular or any situations that he truly encountered there. The
purpose of Ephesians 2:1-10, is to show us what it means to be in unity and one in Christ. Paul
wanted to show examples of how we can be one in Christ with other people in the Body of
Christ.
Background
When Paul was writing this book of Ephesians, the city of Ephesus was going through so
many immoral lifestyles. Paul saw what was happening and decided to write a letter to them so
that he could encourage them. The people were worshipping false gods, doing unholy things like
idolatry and adultery. They were spiritually dead as we all know it. So, Paul wanted to encourage
the people that something is better out there, as long as they could open their hearts and eyes. He
wanted everyone to be in unity and one in Christ. He was there for about three years teaching the
people. When he felt there was nothing else for them to learn, he decided to write this letter so
that they could put it into action and practice of what they learned.
Literary Context
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EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
In this passage, Paul talks a lot about what it like before and after Christ. He talks about
what Christian life is all about and how to walk with Christ. It is all about transformation and
how we can be changed when we become one in Christ. This passage he shows the importance
of being alive in Christ. In the immediate context of this passage, it shows that when we sin, we
separate from God. God gave us a free will, because of Adam and Eve. But Paul does mention
that we can be saved by grace. We do not have to work hard to earn salvation or work hard to be
forgiven, but that God’s arms are always open for us and he is waiting on us. In this passage,
Paul mentions “all”, and basically that covered all people in that area. It did not matter if they
were a Jew or a Gentile. All meant all. The way Paul wrote book of Ephesians, is kind of like a
GPS in the car. He was giving directions to the people from Chapter 1-6. In Chapter 1, Paul talks
about redemption heading to Chapter 2 with reconciliation and Chapter 3 the plan. So, Chapters
1-3 covers doctrine and Chapters 4-6, it covers duty. The passage does break down into three
sections and it goes like this:
I. Dead in the offenses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3
a. Dead in wrongdoings
b. Disobedient
c. Perverted
II. Alive through reconciling (Ephesians 2:4-7)
a. Mercy
b. Love
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EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
c. Alive
d. In Christ Jesus
III. Saved by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-10)
a. Faith
b. Gift
c. Good works
Types of translations
There are three types of translations of the Bible. The first one is the formal translation. I
used NASB for this passage, and this passage is more understandable and is really used word for
word translation. Basically every translation captures the mind of the reader and how the reader
understands and hears its passage. The second translation is dynamic, it translates using the
words or expressions that duplicate the original function of the word. The third one is
paraphrase, and it takes more liberty than the other two, so that it can be communicated more
clearly.
I used NASB for my formal, NIV for dynamic and MSG for paraphrase. The translations
show how different people could hear and understand Bible and its translation in many ways.
NASB and NIV were almost the same, but the Message has paraphrased very differently so that
anyone could really understand it, especially children, teenagers and newly Christians. But when
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EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
we look at verses 7, we see that the translator paraphrased that all of this points to us as humans,
not to God. It makes us feel as if we are receiving all of it instead of giving it to the Lord.
Application
Ephesians 2:1-10 really describes and shows the direction of how the path from a sinner
to becoming a Christian look like. We realize that we are living in sin, and are disobedient, to
hearing that there is something better out there if we open our hearts, eyes and minds. When we
reconcile with Christ, we receive grace, mercy and love. As we are saved by God’s grace, we
live in faith and become one in Christ and do good works for Him. Paul expresses that God is
warm and loving. That He gives us grace and mercy all the time so that we could come closer to
Him. When Paul was writing this letter, he wanted people to understand that when you are in sin
and when you are in sin you separate from God. When you separate from God, you are not able
to do any of God’s work. Because they were separate from God, they would not understand the
works of God and numb to His word. So, for people to understand what Paul was trying to tell
them, he made sure to let them know that he was spiritually dead once and that when He found
Christ, he became alive again. So, for people to understand what becoming alive meant, was for
Paul to explain what grace through faith in Christ truly means. He wanted people of Ephesus to
understand for us to be alive in Christ is to believe in Christ and His works. Paul then explains
that God wants us to join Him with the good works that He is already doing for His people. Paul
was an example of a huge transformation that God had on his life. He persecuted Christians and
once he found Christ, he became alive and did good works for the Lord. So, with that Paul saw
his transformation take place and believed in other people that could happen with them as well.
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EXEGETICAL ANALYSIS
In the end Paul creates a blueprint that would go as follows, redemption, reconciliation,
plan and duty. Paul believed that is what is needed to happen for the people of Ephesus to get out
of their evil ways. When people are in sin, there are consequences and we all have to face God.
We are not able to do God’s work unless we become alive again in the Lord. Paul wanted
everyone to experience transformation through reconciliation with God, and that it would show
changed hearts and becoming one in Christ.
Ephesians 2:1-10 NASB
“AndGyouGwereGdeadGin your offenses and sins,G2in which youGpreviously walked according to
theGcourse ofGthis world, according toGthe prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now
working inGtheGsons of disobedience.G3Among themGwe too allGpreviously lived inGthe lusts of our
flesh,Gindulging the desires of the flesh and of theGmind, and wereGby natureGchildren of
wrath,Gjust as the rest.G4But God, beingGrich in mercy, because ofGHis great love with which He
loved us,G5even when we wereGdeadGin our wrongdoings, made us alive togetherGwith Christ (by
grace you have been saved),G6andGraised us up with Him, andGseated us with Him inGthe
heavenlyGplacesGinGChrist Jesus,G7so that in the ages to come He might show theGboundlessGriches
of His grace inGkindness toward us in Christ Jesus.G8ForGby grace you have been savedGthrough
faith; andGthisGisGnot of yourselves,Git isGthe gift of God;G9not a result of works, so thatGno one may
boast.G10For we are His workmanship,Gcreated inGChrist Jesus forGgood works, which
GodGprepared beforehand so that we wouldGwalk in them.”
Bibliography
Perrien-Massey, LaRonda Y. 2022. “Comparing Translations” MDiv Assignment, Marietta
DeSilva, David Arthur. Ephesians. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022.
Stott, John R. W. The Message of Ephesians. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2020
William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, The New Daily Study Bible
(Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002), 109
Klyne Snodgrass. Ephesians. Vol. EPub ed. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids,
Mich: Zondervan Academic, 2009.
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