Ephesians 2 - Daily Study Questions
1. Eph 2:1-3. Describe our spiritual condition before we came to know Christ (v1) and our course of life (v2, 3). What do you think it means that we were “children of wrath”? Did you feel that way? / While Christ was doing all He did for us we were 1. dead (the idea is that of a corpse) in our trespasses (“slip-ups”) and sins (“intentional rebellion”, missing God’s mark for us). Whereas now we are “in Christ”, then we were dead “in trespasses and sins” – two completely different arenas and ways of life. In this dead state in trespasses and sins we 2. walked 1) according to the course of this world (or “age”) – we were dominated by the spirit of the age and 2) according to the prince of the power of the air – under Satan’s domination and will. This is the same “spirit” that currently works in those “sons of disobedience” who don’t know Christ. As we lived among these sons of disobedience we 3. lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind.2. Eph 2:4-7. Meditate on “But God” in light of the previous verses; what does this say to you? What did He do for us (v5, 6) and what was His motive and purpose (v4, 7)? / “But God” changes everything, which is good since we were in a completely helpless state, consigned to God’s wrath. In view of the fact that it was God’s wrath that we were under, “but God” is not only totally unexpected, it is also the only hope that we had. It shows the incredible mercy, grace and love of God, that He would rescue those who were falling headlong to destruction. This is what the next verses say: God was rich in mercy, because of His great love toward us, extending grace to us for salvation. This kindness (that which is appropriate or suitable – because it’s God’s nature to be kind) of God led to our salvation; He made us alive together with Christ (we were dead), He raised us up with Him (in resurrection power), and He seated us in the heavenly places in Him (in His exalted position, so we, too, are exalted in Him). This means that we are no longer bound to serve sin; we are now in Christ, living in His defeat of sin at the cross. God did all this so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing (incomparable) riches of His grace by this display of kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Throughout eternity we will be trophies of His grace for all creation to see.
3. Eph 2:8-10. Pronounce each word with emphasis in 2:8 and write down your insights. What does 2:9 underscore? Personalize 2:10 and then answer what unique work you think God is doing through you. What do these verses tell us about the relationship between grace, faith and works? / For – the reason for God’s making us alive in Christ, raising us up with Him, and for seating us with Him in the heavenly places; by grace – God has given us this salvation, and this is the reason we can possess it; you have been – this is a certainty, a past action with present, ongoing results (the word is in the “perfect” tense in the Greek which signifies a past action with present results – it could read “you are having been saved”); saved – this means deliverance from sin and the beginning of eternal life; through faith – the means by which we receive God’s grace; it means to completely trust in, or commit one’s entire life to; and that – the entire gift of salvation, both the means – grace and faith (not just the faith) – and the end, eternal deliverance from sin and right standing before God; not of yourselves – this salvation did not and could not come from us; it is the gift of God – God gave it to us; not of works – our works are not bad necessarily, they just can’t provide salvation because the problem is that we are sinners by nature; that no one – not one single person, but God alone receives the glory; should boast – to be falsely puffed up, proud of one’s achievements. Thus, v.9 underscores that we have done absolutely nothing to “earn” our salvation and deserve no credit; it is all by grace and for God’s glory. 2:10 reveals that each of us (put your name in here) is God’s workmanship, or “masterpiece” (poiema, from which we derive “poem”, or work of art); we have each by personally created in Christ Jesus. The purpose is that we would produce good works, works which have been previously prepared for us to “walk in them”. My path is one of good works which God has prepared, so my job is to walk on His path and let Him do His previously prepared good works through me.
4. Eph 2:11-12. Who is the subject of these verses and what are they called by Jews (v11)? What attitude do Jewish people have towards Gentiles? What 5 things are true about Gentiles before they come to know Christ (v12)? / “Gentiles”, called “uncircumcision” by the Jews (who were “circumcised”) is the subject of these verses. They used this as a derogatory term, showing that they thought of Gentiles as despised, unfortunate outsiders. Although God did not view them as despised, the reality is that they were in an unenviable position compared to Jews. First, they were “separate” from Christ – not only personally, but unlike Jews, they had no national hope of a Messiah. Second, they were excluded from the commonwealth (citizenship in) of Israel. Israel was a theocratic state of which God was the King, so to be completely alienated or estranged from Israel was huge. Third, Gentiles are strangers to the covenants of promise; they have no share or stake in all the promises of God contained in His agreements He made with Israel – the Abrahamic, the Mosaic, the Palestinian, the Davidic, or New covenants. These were the hope of Israel, that which pulled them through the difficult times. But Gentiles could not look forward to these. Thus, fourth, Gentiles were without hope in the world and fifth, they were without God. This is the one that sums up their desperate condition – they were without God. Anyone who is without God is in such a condition – they have no hope.
5. Eph 2:13-16. Circle key words in these verses. Why is “but” a key word (v13)? In v13-14 explain the importance of “in Christ Jesus”, “far off”, “brought near”, “by the blood”, our “peace”, and “the barrier of the dividing wall”. What did Christ do for Jews and Gentiles at the cross (v15-16) and what is the result? How can you apply this? / “But” is always a key word because it contrasts the current with the preceding idea. Thus, the desperate condition of the Gentiles is no longer that way because Gentiles are now “in Christ Jesus”. Because Gentiles who have trusted Jesus are in Him, three things are true: 1) even though they were formerly “far off” – this means nowhere near, an unbridgeable distance. 2) They have now been brought near – they are now within the reach of God’s favor 3) the blood of Christ has accomplished this – His blood paid the price for their sins and allowed them access to the presence of God because they stand forgiven before Him. This means that He is our (both Jews and Gentiles) peace, because our primary conflict is with God because of our sin. He has removed this offense so that we can have peace with God. He has also, by His death on the cross, removed the barrier of the dividing wall (represented by the wall in the temple courtyard separating the “court of the Gentiles” from the inner access that Jews had) between Jews and Gentiles. This happened because both, who were God’s enemies, are forgiven by His blood so that we all are united in Christ. The enmity with God, which stems from the inability to obey the Law and commandments, has been removed, and the enmity between Jews and Gentiles has been removed because the Law is now null and void. He has created one new man – the Church – out of both Jews and Gentiles, all who believe in Jesus Christ. They were both reconciled in one body to God through the cross. The Jews were God’s chosen people, partially for themselves, and partially to reach the Gentiles for Him. They didn’t do their job, though, so God brought both of them to Himself through the cross. Thus, we are one with all believers, regardless of race, color or status.
6. Eph 2:17-18. According to 2:17 by what means did both groups become one in Christ? Paraphrase 2:18 and state what Christ’s message accomplishes in the lives of true believers (v18). How often do you take advantage of this and how could you improve? / Both Jews and Gentiles became one through 1) the preaching of peace (the gospel) and 2) the Spirit. This agrees with 1 Cor 12:13 which says that we were all baptized by one Spirit into the body…and made to drink of one Spirit. 2:18 tells us that through Jesus (His reconciling death on the cross) both Jews and Gentiles are welcomed into the presence of God the Father in one and the same Spirit. This means that we should regularly – multiple times throughout the day – come into God’s presence and fellowship with Him. A good starting point is having a time set aside each day to do this, but the goal is continual fellowship with Him.
7. Eph 2:19-22. Identify what has changed for Gentiles that believe in Christ (v19). What is the goal of our life now (v22) and what are the elements that God is working in us to accomplish this (v20, 21)? Review what Eph 2 says about our being “dead” (v1-3), “alive” (v4-10), and “together” (v11-22). / Gentiles now are no longer strangers (those passing through) and aliens (outside the citizenship of God’s kingdom), but are now fellow citizens with all the redeemed of all ages (the saints) and are members of God’s family. We are all built on the same foundation, that of the apostles and prophets, and have the same cornerstone, Christ Jesus. The goal of our lives now is to become a holy temple in the Lord, a place for Him to dwell in us by His Spirit. This happens as we build on the foundation of God’s revelation (the apostles and the prophets) which is fully revealed and measured by Christ Jesus, the Cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together, meaning that we have to draw our direction and stability from Him, and grow with the growth that He supplies. In review, we were completely dead – without hope – but now in Christ we are made alive by His grace. This applies to Jews and Gentiles together so that all who believe in Christ are growing together to become a dwelling of God the Spirit.