King James Version
Ephesians 2
22 verses with commentary
Made Alive in Christ
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:1 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **And you hath he quickened.**—*And you also.* St. Paul here begins the particular application to the Ephesians, which is the main subject of this chapter, broken off in Ephesians 2:3-10, and resumed in Ephesians 2:11. The words “hath He quickened” (or, properly, *did He quicken*) are supplied here from Ephesians 2:5—rightly, as expressing the true sense and tending to greater clearness, but p...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE GALATIANS
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:2 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **The course** (or, *age*) **of this world.**—Here again are united the two words often rendered by “world,” the former signifying simply “the age,” or appointed period of this visible universe, the latter its material and sensuous character. When we are warned against the one (as in Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world;” see also 1Corinthians 1:20; 1Corinthians 2:6; 2Timothy 4:10), it...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. desires: Gr. wills
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:3 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Among whom also we all . . .**—Up to this point St. Paul had addressed himself especially to the Ephesians as Gentiles: now he extends the description of alienation to “all,” Jews and Gentiles alike, as formerly reckoned among the children of disobedience. It is indeed the great object of this chapter to bring out the equality and unity of both Jews and Gentiles in the Church of Christ; and ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
INTRODUCTION
The internal and external evidence for Paul's authorship is conclusive. The style is characteristically Pauline. The superscription, and allusions to the apostle of the Gentiles in the first person, throughout the Epistle, establish the same truth (Ga 1:1, 13-24; 2:1-14). His authorship is also upheld by the unanimous testimony of the ancient Church: compare Irenæus [Against Heresie...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:4 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Rich in mercy.**—Not only merciful, but rich “in the multitude of mercy,” as attaching even to those dead in sin (see Chrysostom on this passage). The idea of richness in grace, glory, mercy, is especially frequent in this Epistle. (See Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 3:16.)
**For his great** **love.**—Again, as in Ephesians 1:4, stress is laid on the l...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. all the brethren--**I am not alone in my doctrine; all my colleagues in the Gospel work, travelling with me (Ac 19:29, Gaius and Aristarchus at Ephesus: Ac 20:4, Sopater, Secundus, Timotheus, Tychicus, Trophimus, some, or all of these), join with me. Not that these were joint authors with Paul of the Epistle: but joined him in the sentiments and salutations. The phrase, "all the brethren," ac...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) by: or, by whose grace
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:5 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Even when we were** **dead in sins.**—These words should be connected, not with “loved us,” but with “hath quickened,” or rather, *quickened.* He brought life out of spiritual death.
(5, 6) The thought in these verses follows exactly the same course as in Ephesians 1:19-20. There the type and earnest of the working of God’s mighty power are placed in the resurrection, the ascension, the glor...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. from ... from--**Omit the second "from." The Greek joins God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ in closet union, by there being but the one preposition.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:6 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. gave himself--**(Ga 2:20); unto death, as an offering. Found only in this and the Pastoral Epistles. The Greek is different in Ep 5:25 (see on Ep 5:25).
**for our sins--**which enslaved us to the present evil world.
**deliver us from this--**Greek, "out of the," &c. The Father and Son are each said to "deliver us," &c. (Col 1:13): but the Son, not the Father, gave Himself for us i...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:7 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **In the ages to come.**—Properly, *the ages which are coming on*—the ages both of time and of eternity, looked upon in one great continuity. Here, again, the manifestation of the riches of God’s grace is looked upon as His special delight, and as His chosen way of manifesting His own self to His creatures.
**In his kindness.**—The word “kindness” (properly, *facility, *or *readiness to serve ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. be glory--**rather, as Greek, "be the glory"; the glory which is peculiarly and exclusively His. Compare Note, see on Ep 3:21.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:8 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1* b.*) Ephesians 2:8-10 (taking up and working out the parenthetical “by grace ye are saved” of Ephesians 2:5) form an instructive link of connection between these Epistles and those of the earlier group, especially the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans. (Comp. Philippians 3:9.) In both there is the same doctrine of “Justification by Faith,” the same denial of the merit of good works, the sam...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. Without the usual expressions of thanksgiving for their faith, &c., he vehemently plunges into his subject, zealous for "the glory" of God (Ga 1:5), which was being disparaged by the Galatians falling away from the pure Gospel of the "grace" of God.
**I marvel--**implying that he had hoped better things from them, whence his sorrowful surprise at their turning out so different from his ex...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →Not of works, lest any man should boast.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:9 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Not of works, lest any man should boast.**—In this verse we have the echo of the past Judaising controversy; it sums up briefly the whole argument of Romans 3:27 to Romans 4:25. There is a similar reminiscence, but more distinct and detached, in Philippians 3:2-9.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. another--**A distinct Greek word from that in Ga 1:6. Though I called it a gospel (Ga 1:6), it is not really so. There is really but one Gospel, and no other gospel.
**but--**Translate, "Only that there are some that trouble you," &c. (Ga 5:10, 12). All I meant by the "different gospel" was nothing but a perversion by "some" of the one Gospel of Christ.
**would pervert--**Greek, "wish...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ordained: or, prepared
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:10 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **We are his workmanship.**—This verse, on the contrary, is unique and remarkable, characteristic of the idea with which this Epistle starts—the election and predestination of God, making us what we are—and applying it very strikingly, not only to the first regeneration, but even to the good works which follow it. The word rendered “workmanship” is only used elsewhere in Romans 1:20, where it...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. But--**however weighty they may seem "who trouble you." Translate as Greek, "Even though we," namely, I and the brethren with me, weighty and many as we are (Ga 1:1, 2). The Greek implies a case supposed which never has occurred.
**angel--**in which light ye at first received me (compare Ga 4:14; 1Co 13:1), and whose authority is the highest possible next to that of God and Christ. A new re...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
Read full commentary →One in Christ
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:11 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Gentiles in the flesh**—*i.e., *not having the bodily impress of circumcision, sealing the Jewish covenant.
**Who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision.**—The use of the phrase “called”—with a touch of the contempt implied in our phrase “the so-called”—simply implies that now Circumcision and Uncircumcision were mere names, virtually “nothing.” The declaration o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. said before--**when we were visiting you (so "before" means, 2Co 13:2). Compare Ga 5:2, 3, 21. Translate, "If any man preacheth unto you any gospel BESIDE that which," &c. Observe the indicative, not the subjunctive or conditional mood, is used, "preacheth," literally, "furnisheth you with any gospel." The fact is assumed, not merely supposed as a contingency, as in Ga 1:8, "preach," or "...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
Notwithstanding Peter's character, yet, when Paul saw him acting so as to hurt the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, he was not afraid to reprove him. When he saw that Peter and the others did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which they professed, namely, That by the death of Christ the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was taken d...
Read full commentary →That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:12 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) This verse gives a dark and terrible picture of the former heathen condition of the Ephesians, intentionally contrasted in every point with the description of Christian privilege in Ephesians 2:19-20. That condition is first summed up in one expression. They were “separate from Christ.” Then from this are drawn two gloomy consequences: first (1), that they had no part in God’s special covenan...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. For--**accounting for the strong language he has just used.
**do I now--**resuming the "now" of Ga 1:9. "Am I now persuading men?" [Alford], that is, conciliating. Is what I have just now said a sample of men-pleasing, of which I am accused? His adversaries accused him of being an interested flatterer of men, "becoming all things to all men," to make a party for himself, and so observing t...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
Notwithstanding Peter's character, yet, when Paul saw him acting so as to hurt the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, he was not afraid to reprove him. When he saw that Peter and the others did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which they professed, namely, That by the death of Christ the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was taken d...
Read full commentary →But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:13 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) This verse speaks of the restoration of the heathen as taking place, first, “in Christ Jesus”—in virtue, that is, of union with Him through all the acts of His mediation; and next, “by the blood of Christ”—that is, through that especial act of mediation, which is emphatically an atonement for sin—such sin as St. Paul had been declaring above to be the cause of spiritual deadness. They had pow...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. certify--**I made known to you as to the Gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man, that is, not of, by, or from man (Ga 1:1, 12). It is not according to man; not influenced by mere human considerations, as it would be, if it were of human origin.
**brethren--**He not till now calls them so.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
Notwithstanding Peter's character, yet, when Paul saw him acting so as to hurt the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, he was not afraid to reprove him. When he saw that Peter and the others did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which they professed, namely, That by the death of Christ the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was taken d...
Read full commentary →For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:14 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2 *b.*)* Ephesians 2:14-18* pass on from the description of the call of the heathen to personal union with God in Christ, to dwell on the perfect unity and equality of Jew and Gentile with each other in Him, and the access of both to the Father.
(14) **He** (*Himself*) **is our peace.**—There is clearly allusion, as to the many promises in the Old Testament of the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5-6,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. Translate, "For not even did I myself (any more than the other apostles) receive it from man, nor was I taught it (by man)." "Received it," implies the absence of labor in acquiring it. "Taught it," implies the labor of learning.
**by the revelation of Jesus Christ--**Translate, "by revelation of [that is, from] Jesus Christ." By His revealing it to me. Probably this took place during the th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
Notwithstanding Peter's character, yet, when Paul saw him acting so as to hurt the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, he was not afraid to reprove him. When he saw that Peter and the others did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which they professed, namely, That by the death of Christ the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was taken d...
Read full commentary →Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:15 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) The connection in the original is doubtful. The words the “enmity in His flesh” may be in apposition to the “wall of partition” in the previous verse; or, as in our version, to “the law of commandments.” The general sense, however, is but little affected in either case.
**Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.**—In this difficult passag...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. heard--**even before I came among you.
**conversation--**"my former way of life."
**Jews' religion--**The term, "Hebrew," expresses the language; "Jew," the nationality, as distinguished from the Gentiles; "Israelite," the highest title, the religious privileges, as a member of the theocracy.
**the church--**Here singular, marking its unity, though constituted of many particular church...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-19**
Paul, having thus shown he was not inferior to any apostle, not to Peter himself, speaks of the great foundation doctrine of the gospel. For what did we believe in Christ? Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? If so, is it not foolish to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified by the merit of moral works, or sacrifices, or ceremonies? The occa...
Read full commentary →And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby : thereby: or, in himself
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:16 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body.**—In this verse the latter subject opens—the reconciliation of all to God. On the reconciliation of man to God, see the great passage 2Corinthians 5:18-21. But it should be noted that in the original the word used here and in Colossians 1:20-21 (and nowhere else) is a compound signifying not simply to “conciliate,” but properly to “reco...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. profited--**Greek, "I was becoming a proficient"; "I made progress."
**above--**beyond.
**my equals--**Greek, "Of mine own age, among my countrymen."
**traditions of my fathers--**namely, those of the Pharisees, Paul being "a Pharisee, and son of a Pharisee" (Ac 23:6; 26:5). "MY fathers," shows that it is not to be understood generally of the traditions of the nation.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-19**
Paul, having thus shown he was not inferior to any apostle, not to Peter himself, speaks of the great foundation doctrine of the gospel. For what did we believe in Christ? Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? If so, is it not foolish to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified by the merit of moral works, or sacrifices, or ceremonies? The occa...
Read full commentary →And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:17 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **And came and preached peace.**—The word “came” certainly carries back our thoughts to our Lord’s own preaching, when, after the Resurrection, He came “and stood in the midst of them, and said, Peace be unto you” (Luke 24:36; John 20:19; John 20:21). But we note that at that very time He repeated the salutation “Peace be unto you,” with the expressive addition, “As my Father hath sent Me, ev...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. separated--**"set me apart": in the purposes of His electing love (compare Ac 9:15; 22:14), in order to show in me His "pleasure," which is the farthest point that any can reach in inquiring the causes of his salvation. The actual "separating" or "setting apart" to the work marked out for him, is mentioned in Ac 13:2; Ro 1:1. There is an allusion, perhaps, in the way of contrast, to the deri...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-19**
Paul, having thus shown he was not inferior to any apostle, not to Peter himself, speaks of the great foundation doctrine of the gospel. For what did we believe in Christ? Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? If so, is it not foolish to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified by the merit of moral works, or sacrifices, or ceremonies? The occa...
Read full commentary →For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:18 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.**—In this verse the two meanings again unite. In the original the order is emphatic: “Through Him we have the access, both of us in one Spirit, to the Father.” The greater idea of access to God is still prominent; but the lesser idea of union with each other in that access is still traceable as an undertone. “Access” is prop...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. reveal his Son in me--**within me, in my inmost soul, by the Holy Spirit (Ga 2:20). Compare 2Co 4:6, "shined in our hearts." The revealing of His Son by me to the Gentiles (so translate for "heathen") was impossible, unless He had first revealed His Son in me; at first on my conversion, but especially at the subsequent revelation from Jesus Christ (Ga 1:12), whereby I learned the Gospel's in...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-19**
Paul, having thus shown he was not inferior to any apostle, not to Peter himself, speaks of the great foundation doctrine of the gospel. For what did we believe in Christ? Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? If so, is it not foolish to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified by the merit of moral works, or sacrifices, or ceremonies? The occa...
Read full commentary →Christ Our Cornerstone
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:19 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2 *c.*)* Ephesians 2:19-22* sum up the two-fold idea of this chapter—union of the Gentiles, with God and with God’s chosen people—in the metaphor of the One Temple, of which Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone, and which, both collectively and in the individuality of each part, grows into a habitation of God.
(19) **Strangers and foreigners.—**Here the word rendered “stranger” means properly *a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. went I up--**Some of the oldest manuscripts read, "went away."
**to Jerusalem--**the seat of the apostles.
**into Arabia--**This journey (not recorded in Acts) was during the whole period of his stay at Damascus, called by Luke (Ac 9:23), "many [Greek, a considerable number of] days." It is curiously confirmatory of the legitimacy of taking "many days" to stand for "three years," that th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 15-19**
Paul, having thus shown he was not inferior to any apostle, not to Peter himself, speaks of the great foundation doctrine of the gospel. For what did we believe in Christ? Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? If so, is it not foolish to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified by the merit of moral works, or sacrifices, or ceremonies? The occa...
Read full commentary →And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:20 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20-22) In these verses there is a sudden change from a political to a physical metaphor, possibly suggested by the word “household.” The metaphor itself, of the Church as “a building of God”—frequently used in the New Testament—reaches its full perfection in this passage. (1) It starts, of course, from the words of our Lord (Matthew 16:18), “On this rock I will build my Church;” but in the use of...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. after three years--**dating from my conversion, as appears by the contrast to "immediately" (Ga 1:16). This is the same visit to Jerusalem as in Ac 9:26, and at this visit occurred the vision (Ac 22:17, 18). The incident which led to his leaving Damascus (Ac 9:25; 2Co 11:33) was not the main cause of his going to Jerusalem. So that there is no discrepancy in the statement here that he went "...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-21**
Here, in his own person, the apostle describes the spiritual or hidden life of a believer. The old man is crucified, Ro 6:6, but the new man is living; sin is mortified, and grace is quickened. He has the comforts and the triumphs of grace; yet that grace is not from himself, but from another. Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence on Christ. Hence it is, tha...
Read full commentary →In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:21 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.**—There is some difficulty about the rendering-”all the building.” Generally the best MSS. omit the article in the original. But the sense seems to demand the rendering of the text, unless, indeed, we adopt the only other possible rendering, “in whom every act of building”—that is, every addition to the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. Compare Ac 9:27, 28, wherein Luke, as an historian, describes more generally what Paul, the subject of the history, himself details more particularly. The history speaks of "apostles"; and Paul's mention of a second apostle, besides Peter, reconciles the Epistle and the history. At Stephen's martyrdom, and the consequent persecution, the other ten apostles, agreeably to Christ's directions, se...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-21**
Here, in his own person, the apostle describes the spiritual or hidden life of a believer. The old man is crucified, Ro 6:6, but the new man is living; sin is mortified, and grace is quickened. He has the comforts and the triumphs of grace; yet that grace is not from himself, but from another. Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence on Christ. Hence it is, tha...
Read full commentary →In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>[Verse 2:22 text would be quoted here]</strong> This verse in Ephesians chapter 2 addresses theological theme. Key Greek terms include to be determined. <br><br>The theological focus is doctrinal emphasis, demonstrating Paul's emphasis on the cosmic Christ and the church as His body/bride/temple. The phrase emphasizes union with Christ as the foundation of all spiritual blessings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.**—This verse seems primarily intended simply to emphasise the truth already enunciated (in Ephesians 2:20), that the Ephesians themselves are now being made part of the Church of Christ, “being built up together in Christ.” But it may also illustrate to us the character of the unity of the Church, as, primaril...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
20. Solemn asseveration that his statement is true that his visit was but for fifteen days and that he saw no apostle save Peter and James. Probably it had been reported by Judaizers that he had received a long course of instruction from the apostles in Jerusalem from the first; hence his earnestness in asserting the contrary facts.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 2
Chapter Outline
The apostle declares his being owned as an apostle of the Gentiles.(1-10)
He had publicly opposed Peter for judaizing.(11-14)
And from thence he enters upon the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law.(15-21)
**Verses 1-10**
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached ...
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