Introduction

Ephesians 2:1–10 emphasizes how God saved us while we were dead in sin by grace through faith. It encourages Christians to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us beforehand.

Key Points

• Main Point: God saved us while we were dead in sin by grace through faith.
• Purpose: Walk in the good works that God has prepared for us beforehand.

Ephesians 2:1–2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…

The church is the body of Christ, but it is made up of people who were once spiritually dead and trapped in rebellion against God, powerless to stop following the sinful ways of the world. Without Christ, we would still be dead in our sins, constantly influenced by the rebellion around us. Remembering this keeps us humble and grateful for God’s saving grace.

Ephesians 2:3

…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Without Christ, being dead in our sins means living according to what we feel is good, rather than what God desires. This natural rebellion against God traps us in a cycle of sin that fuels His anger and deepens our separation from Him, with no way to escape on our own. Left to ourselves, we are powerless to change our sinful desires. The only hope lies in something—or Someone—transforming our hearts completely.

Ephesians 2:4–5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…

Paul reminds us that we were dead in our sins, but God, rich in mercy and great in love, made us alive with Christ and saved us by His grace. The God who saved us didn’t do so begrudgingly but poured out His love, mercy, and grace abundantly. Remembering this helps us turn away from the false idea that God’s love is limited or stingy.

Ephesians 2:6

…and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…

God saved us by placing us in Christ, so that we died with Him and were raised to life with Him. As far as God is concerned, we have passed through death into eternal life with King Jesus. God’s saving work isn’t just about removing our sins—it’s about transforming us, bringing us from death to life so we can live forever reconciled to Him.

Ephesians 2:7

…so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God saved us to showcase His incredible grace. By rescuing us while we were dead in sin, He displays His mercy and love to all creation. As living monuments of God’s grace, the only thing we can truly take pride in is that He saved us from our helpless, deadly cycle of sin.

Ephesians 2:8a

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

God saved us by His grace, giving us the ultimate gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus—a gift we could never deserve. This salvation is received through faith, trusting in the work Jesus did for us. Both our salvation and the faith to receive it come entirely from God’s grace, leaving no room for us to take credit. All glory and adoration belong to Him alone for His incredible grace.

Ephesians 2:8b–9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Salvation by grace through faith is completely God’s work—a gift from Him that leaves us with nothing to boast about except His gracious act of saving us. This should lead us to deep humility and gratitude toward God. Just as He has graciously forgiven us, we are called to let go of our pride and forgive others, no matter how they have wronged us.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Being reunited with God naturally leads to becoming more like Him in how we think, speak, and act. Walking closely with Jesus and staying aware of His presence through the Spirit will transform our lives, causing us to bear much fruit.

Conclusion

Ephesians 2:1–10 highlights how God saved us while we were dead in sin by His grace through faith. Paul emphasizes God’s mercy, love, and power to bring spiritual life to those who were lost. This passage encourages us to walk in the good works God has prepared for us, reflecting His grace and purpose in our lives.

Summary

• We were spiritually dead, following the world and its rebellion against God, incapable of saving ourselves (2:1–3).
• Out of great love and mercy, God made us alive in Christ and saved us by grace through faith, not by our works (2:4–9).
• God created us in Christ to walk in the good works He prepared beforehand, living lives that reflect His character and purpose (2:10).