Ephesians 2:1-3
What is written? (ESV)
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— 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.
What does it say?
At one time you were dead in the sinful walk you led, following the way of the world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the sons of disobedience. We all were at one time like them, living according to the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and mind, being by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind.
What is its immediate context?
After reminding the Ephesians of their past lives in sin, Paul expounds on the great gift they received in Christ – being made “alive together in Christ” (vs 5). He further qualifies the saving grace as received “through faith” (vs 8). Finally, he says it wasn’t a result of their works (vs 9) but that “good works” are the result (vs 10).
How Ephesians 2:1-3 is applied across Bible answers
Is the doctrine of original sin taught in the Bible?
Paul, in making the point of the grace and salvation that they have received in Christ and a declaration similar to David's1, reminds them of the sin and darkness they were once a part of without Christ. They were "following" one course, living based on "passions" and fleshly "desires" with a disposition and "nature" toward sin (e.g. "wrath").
