Bill Taylor wrote: > Interesting, your comments are noted. How do you > understand Ephesians 2:1-6, in particular vs 1, 3, > and 5? > > 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Sins is plural and so it clearly refers to actual sins. Infants are not dead in trespasses and sins. They have committed no sins, and Jesus said, "of such [infants] is the kingdom of heaven." > 2 in which you once walked according to the course > of this world, according to the prince of the power > of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of > disobedience, By walking according to the course of this world, he speaks of the mind being inclined toward spirits of the air which work in the sons of disobedience. This too does not refer to infants, for infants are oblivious to the spirits which direct the men of this world. > 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves > in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires > of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature > children of wrath, just as the others. This might partially refer to infants, because infants are fleshly creatures and have desires of the flesh. They care about being fed and about being comfortable. However, part of this passage clearly does not refer to infants, because infants have not yet developed their mind or thoughts. Therefore, this passage as a whole concerns developed individuals with both flesh and mind, whose conduct is directed toward evil spirits and doing what their body (flesh) desires. Here the writer links the previous considerations of the spirit of the air upon the thoughts of the mind, with the desires of the flesh, that sinful nature which all humans inherited from Adam. He indicates that it was by this natural course that they became children of wrath, even as others who were still being led by this nature also were still children of wrath (meaning that the anger of God is directed towards them). > 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great > love with which He loved us, > 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive > together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), > 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together > in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, He says, "we WERE dead in trespasses" meaning what the Jewish writers had asserted in their writings, that those who transgress the law are dead. However, Christ redeems us from this dead end alley. Consider the following passage from the same author, which seems to give us a few more details about how were are moved from being dead as a result of our actual sins, to being raised up in Christ through the operation of faith. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:10-15 KJV) Oh, no, Bill. Now I realize that I have reverted to lecturing you instead of asking you questions. Sorry about that. Expect some more questions soon. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
