v1: Paul explains the state of natural man, and declares that the gospel of Christ deals with our deepest needs. These verses 1-3 paint the black canvas for the beauty of God's grace to be declared, v4-10.

We are by nature dead. This means that we cannot improve ourselves, nor save ourselves. We are totally dependent upon God to change us and to save us.

v2: by nature, mankind is in a sorry state:

• Our old lives were corrupt in every aspect.
• Our motives were governed by the ways of the world;
• Our king was the ruler of the kingdom of the air, Satan;
• Our company was those who are disobedient, 'sons of disobedience', which describes all who do not know God;
• Our lifestyle was living like unbelievers; and
• Our destiny was that we were objects of wrath.

You "used to live", for this way of life is now past, we are totally changed by God, and we must live the new life of Christ.

Satan is here described as 'the ruler of the kingdom of the air.' This corresponds with the title of 'prince of this world' (John 16.11). Christ has cast Satan down from this position.

v3: Like unbelievers we fulfilled the desires of the flesh, seeking physical satisfaction and pleasure, and the desires of the mind, seeking entertainment and enjoyment and glory from men.

v4-5: "But...God...", there is no change except by God's power and grace at work in our lives. Human efforts are worthless, but God brings about a mighty change.

Paul weaves in three words;

• Mercy, Gk: ELEOS; God has sufficient resources for us;
• Love, Gk: AGAPEO; God has deep concern for the unworthy;
• Grace, Gk: CHARIS; God will give what is undeserved.

God's love is great, and He is rich in mercy, and we are changed from dead to alive, and not just alive, but alive with Christ, sharing His risen life. God's grace has brought about the impossible. The psalmist also speaks of the riches of God’s mercy (Ps 51.1; 86.5; 103.17); His overflowing mercy towards us; infinite and eternal resources of God; no restrictions and no limits.

v6: We are raised up, to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, we have inherited every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, 1.3. Like Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9) we who deserved death are now 'seated' with royalty.

v7: All creation will see the exceeding riches of His grace in Christ, see 1.10; Rom 8.19; this is to be demonstrated in the church, His body.

v8: Our part is faith, yet even our faith cannot work unless God first gives life.

v9: There is no earning of salvation, and no reason for boasting.

v10: The place of good works. They follow salvation, and they are proof of salvation. Good works are God's plan for all who are in Christ.

'Prepared' describes the ancient custom of a king sending his servant ahead of him to prepare the way, and to ensure it is safe. Remarkably, God prepares our way ahead by allotting good works for us to do.

This verse also answers the anti-nomian teaching, that once saved we can live how we want. We are saved to walk in good works, the very works of God.

v11: Gentile by birth; Paul writes to those who are not Jews, and who had been treated as outsiders, "uncircumcised" (e.g: 1 Sam 17.26). He insists that circumcision is merely a physical thing, done in the body by human hands, and cannot bring a man closer to God (Gal 5.6; 6.15). This change does not compare with the mighty change wrought by God (v4-10).

v12: With or without circumcision, men are still without Christ.

This verse describes the seriousness of being without Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, foreigners to the covenants of the promise, and without hope and without God. How great a power is required to deliver any person from this! As we see, God has provided for deliverance.

v13: The blood of Christ brings sinful man near to the holy God. God has not moved, but we are brought near. There is forgiveness and redemption, also through His blood, but here is fellowship and friendship.

v14: The problem of Jew and Gentile, the centuries old antagonism. This gulf had also to be breached. Christ Himself is our peace; He brings us into peace with God, and peace with our fellow man. We must not look down on others, nor fear them. There is now one body, 4.4, the church.

v15: Christ has brought peace because He has abolished the enmity between Jew and Gentile, the barrier of the law with its regulations and rules. This He achieved through His death on the cross. He has made one new man, in Christ, no longer Jew and Gentile. We may equally think of other barriers, between male and female, rich and poor, and many more, all of which are removed in Christ.

v16: The answer to human differences in the cross of Christ. We are all reconciled to God through the cross, and therefore we are reconciled to each other.

'The Church is a multi-racial, multi-cultural community; is like a beautiful tapestry. Its members come from a wide range of colourful backgrounds. No other human community resembles it. Its diversity and harmony are unique. It is God's new society. And the many-coloured wisdom of the Church is the reflection of the many coloured wisdom of God.' (John Stott, The Message of Ephesians.)

v17: The message of the cross has been proclaimed to all, to Jew and Gentile, as in Acts 2.39.

v18: Through the same message we all have access to the same Father by the same Spirit.

v19: In the Church, we enjoy these wonderful blessings of God together. This is God's new community; we are fellow citizens, members of God's household. This implies that we agree and share and love.

v20: The foundational role of the apostles and prophets, 1 Cor 12.28. These were very important in the early church, as they laid the foundations of the New Testament, planting churches, and establishing church practice.

Christ Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and remains indispensable. The foundational role of apostles and prophets may be said to be complete. This does not necessarily exclude the possibility of such gifts today, as chapter 4 indicates. But the role of writing scripture, and establishing church practice has been completed. To the extent that the church has departed from these things, we may argue that such gifts are in fact essential.

v21: In Christ the whole building of the church is built, joined together, and grows.

v22: This verse seems to be addressed specifically to the local church which is also God's dwelling place. God dwells in His church by His Holy Spirit. What is true of the whole church is also true of a local manifestation of it.

The theme of the dwelling place of God continues through the Bible. In the OT, there was the tabernacle, and later the temple. In the NT, the church becomes the dwelling place of God. The Greek word (NIOS) used here is used in the Septuagint to describe the Holy of Holies. 'The presence of God is the most precious thing on earth,' (Dave Fellingham)