Ephesians 2

The apostle shew the greatness of the benefit which God bestows upon us in our restoration relateth the miserable state which we are delivered 4 declareth hat of meer grace when we were dead in our sins he had quickened us with Christ and placed us in heaven with him that therefore we were saved by faith not from works 10 but that God created us in Christ unto good works 11 he testifieth further that the Gentiles were without the covenant of God and without hope of salvation 13 but now in Christ who hath taken away the wall of partition and the law of ordinance are become co-partners of this grace 17 Wherefore both Gentiles and Jews are called by the gospel and by one and the same spirit have access to God 19 whereby he concludes that then they are built together upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles whose corner stone is Christ 21 and that unto a temple and habitation of God,

1. And you hath he also quickened [the words inserted here are put in for perspectives sake out of the fifth verse following where the exposition maybe seen] whereas ye were dead [not only subject to temporal and eternal death but also without any life and motion of spiritual things as this word to be dead is also taken elsewhere Romans 6:13 Ephesians 5:14 Colossians 2:13 1 Timothy 5:6] by trespasses and sins.

2. In which formerly walked [namely before your conversion to the faith in Christ]according to the age of this worldly men ]according to the Prince [that is according to the will of the instigation of the Prince] of the power of the air [that is of Satan as is presently declared who is so called because he hath a spiritual being and hath retained great power in moving of the air as appears by history of Job and out of the air still seeks to trouble and annoy the faithful Ephesians 6:12 1 Peter 5:8] the spirit which now worketh [that is by his by his operations and instigation leadeth wither he will the word now he adds because Satan hath now lost this his working and dominion in the faithful which he had formerly exercised overall in general although he still assault them but had retained his power only in believers 2 Corinthians 4:3,4,2Thesallonians 2.9,10] in the children of disobedience [unfaithful men that are disobedient to the gospel Ephesians 5:6 Colossians 3:6 otherwise called children of Belial see Deuteronomy 13:13]

3. Amongst whom also we all [namely who are converted to Christ among the Jews which he adds to shew that their conversion as well as the Gentiles was wrought of meer grace [conversed in former times in the lust of our flesh [that is of our corrupt nature as this phrase is generally used which Paul expounds Romans 8:7,8&c] doing the will [Gr the will that is lusts and inclinations]of the flesh and the thoughts [the Greek word Dianoia signifieth the understanding or he reasonable part of the soul of man also to nothing but vanity of worldly things see Romans 1:22 and 8.7 Colossians 2:8]and we are of nature [or by nature that is from our birth or even from our mothers womb as this word nature is also taken Galatians 2:15 and elsewhere see Job 14:4 Psalms 51.7John 3.6Romans 5.12,13,14] children of wrath [that is subject to the wrath of God by reason of sin in which we were born see Roman 1.18 and 9.22]as also the others [namely the Gentiles see Romans 3.9c.]

4. But God who is rich [that is abundant] in mercy by his great love [or for by reason of] wherewith he loved us.

5. Even when we were dead [see the annotation on verse 1]through trespasses hath quickened as [that is loved us delivered us fro the death of sin by our justification and regeneration as immediately hereafter is declared]with Christ [for as Christ who died for our sins was raised up so he really shewed that he had abolished the guilt of our sins and the body of our sins which first for us and afterwards also in us he accomplished by the power of his death and his resurrection Romans 4.25and chapter 6verse 6,7,8when he freely gave us faith by faith justified us and by his spirit renewed and sanctioned us see 1 Corinthians 1:20]by grace ye are saved.

6. And hath also raised us up and hath also set us in heaven in Christ Jesus [namely as our head in whom we already posses these benefits and which also posses in hope Romans and certainly be partakers of the same in due time see Romans 8:11,1Corinthians 1520 Philippians 3:21 Colossians 3:1,2 &c.]

7. That he might shew [The Greek word signifieth as much, as propound an example or clear argument; for God in that time shewed this example of his mercy to Gentiles and Jews, that we also, their successors, being informed thereof, might take our refuge to the same grace, 1 Tim. 1. 16] in the Ages to come [that is, to the men of the ages or times to come] the exceeding riches of his grace, through the kindness over us.

8. For out of grace [Or, by the grace : namely, of God in Christ, as is declared in the foregoing verse] are ye served in Christ Jesus, [that is, delivered from sin, and the punishment of sin, and made heirs of eternal salvation] by faith; [namely, whereby this grace of God in Christ is received by us, and applied to us, Job 1:12. Romans 3:24, 25] and that not of you, [namely, that is, not of you ye believe; for otherwise the Apostle should say one thing twice , and not only salvation it self, but faith also is a gift of God, See Philippians 1:29. 2 Tim. 1. 9, & c.] it is the gift of God.

9. Not of works [Namely, either in the whole, or in part, See Rom. 4. v. 4, 5. and 11. 6. as also the following words shew forth,] that non may boast.

10. For we are his workmanship [The Apostle here speaks not of the first Creation, but of renovation or regeneration, which in Gods Word is called a second or new Creation, See 2 Cor. 5. 17.] created in Jesus Christ unto good works, which God prepared, [or, prepared before, namely, in his eternal counsel, or else by his Spirit in us , See Hebr. 8. 10, & c.] that we should walk in the same.

11. Therefore remember that ye, who in former time were Gentiles in the flesh, [Some understand this of the uncircumcision of the Gentiles: but such they were now also being converted to Christ, and the name, fore-skin, which followeth, giveth this sufficiently to understand. Therefore the word, flesh, is more fitly taken for the corruption of nature, wherein before their conversion they were, as Job 13:6. Romans 8:5, & c.] and who were called fore-skin, [that is, uncircumcised, and that in contempt, See 1 Samuel 17:26. Ezekiel 44:7.] by those who are called circumcision in the flesh, [that is, by the Jews who were circumcised, which was a sign of Gods Covenant with them, Genesis 17:11.] which is made with hands.

12. That ye at that time were without Christ, [That is, without having communion with Christ, who was to come, without whom there was no salvation, Job 14:6. Acts 4:12. the Israelites who waited for the Kingdom of Israel had communion with Christ, who was promised, See John 8:56. Acts. 13. vers. 26. 32. and chapter 15. 11. and chapter 26. 6, 7. Hebrews 11:26. & c.] estranged from the Citizen-ship of Israel, [that is, the Church of God, which was contained in the Common-wealth of Israel] and strangers from the Covenants of promise, [that is, from the Spiritual promises which God in his Covenant with the Israelites had made, and oftentimes renewed: wherefore he calls it, Covenants, in the plural number] having no hope, [namely, no true hope of the forgiveness of sins, and of eternal salvation,] and without God in the world. [that is, without the right knowledge and service of the true God. For although they had many gods and worships, notwithstanding they were devised and contrived by themselves, See Romans 1:21. & c. and although some knew God, as Creator, notwithstanding seeing they knew not, nor honoured the Son, they had not the Father neither, Job 5:23.]

13. But now in Christ Jesus, ye which formerly were far off [Namely, from these benefits and advantages, whereof is spoken in the former Chapter. And the Apostle hath respect here to the place, Isaiah 49:1. See, Acts 2:39.] are become nigh, by the blood of Christ. [that is, by the death and bloody sacrifice of Christ, whereby this difference of Nations is taken away.]

14. For he is our peace, [That is, the author and cause of our peace, as well betwixt God and men, as betwixt men themselves, namely, Jews and Gentiles,] who hath made both these [namely, Jews and Gentiles] one, and having broken the middle-wall of separation; [or, of the fence: namely, which parted and determined the Jews from the Gentiles, as a wall doth separate two houses or places one from another, whereby the Ceremonial Law is understood, which made this difference betwixt the Jews and Gentiles. And Paul seemeth also here to have respect to the rending of the veil of the Temple, which was rent when Christ suffered, Mat. 27. v. 51. Luke 23:45.]

15. He hath abolished the enmity, [Namely, betwixt Jews and Gentiles, as appears from that which follows; arising from the diversity of Religion] in his flesh, [that is, in his body or human nature, offered on the cross, John 1:14. 1 Pet. 4. 1. A similitude from sacrifices, whose flesh was burnt upon the altar] (namely) the Law of commandments (consisting) in institutions: [namely, whereby the ceremonies were instituted, and given until the time of redress, Hebrews 9:10.] that he might create those two [namely, nations, i.e. the elect out of both these nations, Romans 9:24. and chapter 11. 7.] in himself [this the Apostle saith, because we must be united with Christ himself by Faith, before we can become one body out of Jews and Gentiles] unto one new man, [that is, renewed by the Holy Ghost and power of regeneration. And the Apostle speaks here of all believers as of one man, because they all under Christ the head, as members of one spiritual body, are made up as one renewed man] making peace. [that is, union and communion, since the cause and means of division is taken away]

16. And (that) he might reconcile both of them [This the Apostle saith because by the cross of Christ not only Jews and Gentiles are brought unto one, but also together reconciled unto God] unto God in one body, [that is, in one and the same church, which is Christ’s spiritual body. Some hereby understand the body of Christ himself, which ver. 15. he called his flesh] by the cross, having killed [that is, having wholly taken it away by his death. For by one offering he hath for ever sanctified, Hebrews 10:14.] the enmity [that is, as well betwixt God and us by reason of sin , as also betwixt Jews and Gentiles. For of both these reconciliations he spake before] on the same. [namely, cross].

17. And coming [Namely, as well by himself in the days of his flesh among the Jews, as a Minister of circumcision, as after his ascension by his Apostles unto all without difference: by and with whom he was powerful for the conversion of all, as well of Gentiles as of Jews, mark 16. 20. John 10:16. 2 Cor. 13. 3, etc.] by the Gospel be published peace [namely, betwixt God and men, and consequently also of men one with another, Luke 2:14. Romans 10:15. 2 Cor. 5. 19, etc.] to you which were far off and to them that were near.

18. For by him [Namely, Christ received by faith, Romans 5:2.] we both have access by one spirit [namely, of adoption to children, Romans 8:15. who also gives this whole body its life and motion] unto the Father.

19. So then ye [Namely, Gentiles who believe in Christ] are no more strangers [namely, as in former times. See v. 11, 12.] and by-dwellers, but fellow Citizens of the Saints, [namely, of this spiritual Jerusalem, Galatians 4:26.] and of household of God: [for Gods church is every where called Gods house and temple. See 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Hebrews 3:2, & c. They stand therefore under one head and care, and have each their service and part in this house.]

20. Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, [That is, the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets both of the old and new Testament, even as therefore the names of the twelve Apostles are set on the twelve foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem, Revelation 21:14] whereof Jesus Christ [for the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles in matters of salvation directs us to none upon whom we may rely, but upon Jesus Christ, on his satisfaction and merit, 1 Cor. 1. 30. and 2. 2. Or Jesus Christ himself being the, & c.] it is the utmost corner-stone; [namely, whereon the whole building leans, with the walls and stones of the same, i.e. all true believers both of Jews and Gentiles are gathered together, and by one spirit cleave together, as followeth. See also 1 Pet. 2. 4. Now that this utmost corner-stone is also the only foundation of this whole building, appears out of Isaiah 28:16. 1 Cor. 3. v. 10, 11.]

21. Whereon the whole building being fitly joined together, groweth up into an holy Temple in the Lord. [That is, wherein the Lord dwelleth with his grace, and therefore will be honored and served therein, as a father of a family in his house.]

22. Whereon [Namely, that utmost corner-stone Christ] ye also [namely, who according to his purpose are called out the Gentiles, and consequently also believe in him] are builded together unto an habitation of God, in the Spirit. [or by the spirit.]