Chapter 2

2:1-7: Although we were enemies of God and children of wrath, totally depraved from our own love or seeking of God, He, although we were previously dead, raised us up and regenerated us to new life, giving us the ability of faith and conformity to Him and His will. This regeneration is not by our own merit or works; it is unearned in us but a gift in Christ. (For more information on election see notes on 1:4-5)

2:1: This is obviously speaking of spiritual death not of physical death because unbelievers are very much physically alive. It is still quite apparent, no matter how physically alive, they are still walking corpses.Unbelievers are alienated from God and "dead" in their sins. "transgressions and sins" (paraptero and harmertia) These words are essentially synonyms and are essentially "acts that go against God". Because of original sin we are spiritually dead from birth and walk accordingly to the course of the world. (v. 2) Our state (before regeneration) was that of death and our "cause of death" was sin.

2:2: Because of our Spiritual death (v.1), we were incapable of choosing God by our own will and accordingly walked to the course of the world, under the authority of darkness. Because were "of the world", we "talked" like the world and walked like the world. "course..." Referring to the mindset and practices of the world which are against God. "ruler of the power of the air..." Refers to the devil and his demons. "this world..." typically known as the "realm" of satan.

2:3:"among whom..." refers to the sons of disobedience (v. 2). "we all..." is Paul referring to both Jews and Gentiles, not just Gentiles. "formerly conducted ourselves..." As stated in the notes on verse 2, the "course" of this world refers to the mindset and practices of the world. Paul here explains what the course of this world is: "the lusts of our flesh, the desires of our flesh and mind". "children of wrath..." Refers to people deserving of God's divine judgement. It is important to note that this phrase does not mean we were "adopted" into wrath like we are adopted into Christ but rather that we were fully and by nature, children of wrath apart from Christ. "as others..." refers to all mankind.

2:4: While grace is God giving us something we don't deserve (as in giving us a gift), mercy is God not giving us something we do deserve (not giving us his wrath). As children of wrath, we were deserving of the divine wrath of God but God, being rich in mercy, did not give us the wrath we deserved but with love instead saved us to life in Christ. (1 John 4:10)

2:5: Someone who has died cannot raise themselves up again to life. Someone who is dead cannot by their own will come back to life. We were spiritually dead, but God, saved us by grace. This is not of anything we have done but purely by His grace. We were enveloped in our sin and alive to death but God made us alive in Christ.

2:6: God has pulled us out of our spiritual tomb and raised us to life. While Christ was raised physically, we were raised spiritually and seated with Christ.

2:7: The greatness of God's grace is displayed through us who have been saved in Christ and his grace is displayed through us for the purpose of His own glory.

2:8-9: We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Works do not contribute to our salvation but rather we are justified by faith. "and this not of yourselves..." This refers to salvation as a whole being a work of God rather than a work of man or earned. Salvation is not earned but rather accepted by faith in Christ. When we put our faith in Christ that is an emptying of self-trust and reliance and a filling of our trust and reliance on God. We are not the author of our own salvation rather "salvation belongs to the Lord". This salvation is not achieved by imputing righteous into us but rather onto us. It is by Christ's righteousness and satisfaction that we are legally justified before God. The Westminster Confession in Chapter 14, Verse 2 says that the "principle acts" of (true) saving faith are: "accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace".

2:10: This true faith in Christ brings good works. We are his workmanship and every work He starts, He will bring to full completion. (Philippians 1:6). "created in Christ Jesus..." We have been made new in Christ to bring glory to God and because we are His workmanship in Christ, we have been made "unto" good works so as to do them. Our action in doing good works is not the instrument nor basis of our justification but a fruit which grows out of our new life in Christ. These "works" are acts of "faithfulness and service to God".

2:11-13: The gentiles were formally alienated physically (the uncircumcision of the flesh) and spiritually (strangers to the promise), but Christ brought us near and we have been grafted into the root of Israel.

2:11: "Uncircumcision..." A derogatory term used by Jews to refer to the gentiles. "Circumcision..." A term used here in contrast to "uncircumcision" referring to the Jews.

2:12: The gentiles were morally and spiritually separated from God and His people.

2:13: Christ's blood is the connection which holds our grafted branch together with the root of Israel. (Romans 11:17)

2:14: Christ Himself is the peace between the Jews and the Gentiles. He has removed the distinction between both parties -- including the enmity between God and the Gentiles -- and has broken down the dividing wall of partition, which is the Law of commandments (referring to the ceremonial and judicial laws) that divided the Jews and the Gentiles.

2:15: Christ's death fulfilled the law of Moses and abolished the laws that kept the Jews and Gentiles separated. "one new man..." refers to all being made one in Christ.

2:16: "Reconciliation..." This pictures a broken relationship being restored. "one body..." The Church.

2:17: Compare with Isaiah 57:19. Christ is not only the maker of peace, and Himself peace but He also preaches peace and the Prince of peace. "far away... near..." All people. The language here is used to symbolize the Gentiles (far) and the Jews (near).

2:18: Through Christ, all have access to God the Father. We are no longer bound by the veil but rather have become a Kingdom of Priests. We have access to God's presence in the Holy Spirit, through Christ.

2:19: "strangers..." refers to those who had permanently settled in Israel but had limited rights. "sojourners" refers to "short-term transients with no rights".

2:20: John Calvin says in this verse it is clear that "foundation" refers to doctrine. He says that Apostles and Prophets both refer to roles of teaching and thus it must refer to Biblical Doctrine. "cornerstone..." This foundation is only built on Christ.

2:21: The whole of the body of Christ is joined and held together by Christ.

2:22: Just as the whole body of Christ has been joined and fitted for and by the Lord, so also are the Gentiles being built into the body.