Ephesians 2:3

My Notes

What Does Ephesians 2:3 Mean?

Paul describes the universal pre-conversion condition: 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.

Among whom also we all — Paul includes himself and all Jewish believers. The 'we all' demolishes any distinction between Gentile sinners (v.2) and Jewish sinners. The condition is universal — every person, regardless of background, shared the same pre-conversion reality.

Had our conversation (anastrophe) — manner of life, conduct, daily behavior. The entire lifestyle was shaped by what follows.

In the lusts of our flesh — the flesh (sarx) is the principle of sinful human nature operating apart from God. The lusts (epithumia) are the desires generated by the flesh — the cravings that drive behavior when God's Spirit is not in control. The conversation — the daily life — was lived in these desires, governed by them, directed by them.

Fulfilling the desires (thelemata) of the flesh and of the mind — the word desires here is thelemata — wills, determinations. The flesh has a will. The mind (dianoia — the reasoning faculty) has desires too. The corruption is not just physical. It is intellectual — the mind itself, the reasoning capacity, produces desires that are hostile to God. The flesh and the mind together — body and intellect — were both producing ungodly desires, and the pre-conversion life was spent fulfilling them.

And were by nature the children of wrath — by nature (phusis) — not by choice alone, not by circumstance alone, but by nature. The wrath-deserving condition is inherent, not merely behavioral. Children of wrath means deserving of wrath, subject to wrath — not because of a particular sin but because of a nature that produces sin.

Even as others — the universality is complete. Jews and Gentiles, religious and irreligious, moral and immoral — all were by nature children of wrath. The human condition is level: everyone stood in the same place before grace.

Reflection Questions

• 1.Why does Paul include himself ('we all') in the description of pre-conversion life — and what does that universality establish?
• 2.How does the corruption of 'the mind' alongside 'the flesh' challenge the idea that intellectual people are less sinful?
• 3.What does 'by nature the children of wrath' mean — and how is this different from becoming subject to wrath through specific sins?
• 4.How does the diagnosis of verse 3 make the 'but God' of verse 4 more powerful?

Devotional

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh. We all. Not just the obvious sinners. Not just the pagans. We all — Paul includes himself and every Jewish believer in the picture. The pre-conversion life was universal: everyone lived in the lusts of the flesh. Everyone was governed by desires that had nothing to do with God.

Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. Not just bodily cravings. The mind too — the thinking, reasoning, planning faculty — was producing ungodly desires. The corruption was not just physical. It was intellectual. Your mind was as enslaved as your body. Your thoughts were as corrupted as your appetites. The whole person — flesh and mind — was oriented toward fulfilling desires that led away from God.

And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. By nature. Not by accident. Not by environment alone. By nature — the condition was inherent. You were born into it. The wrath you deserved was not just for what you did. It was for what you were. Children of wrath — people whose very nature made them subject to divine judgment.

Even as others. The leveling statement. No one escapes this diagnosis. The religious person was a child of wrath — just like the irreligious. The moral person was a child of wrath — just like the immoral. The distinction between good people and bad people collapses. By nature, everyone stood in the same place: deserving wrath.

This is the 'before' that makes the 'but God' of verse 4 so explosive. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us — that is what interrupted the wrath. That is what rescued the children. The nature was death. But God. The two most important words in the chapter.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture