When was grace made manifest?
(Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Timothy 1:8-10) Blog July 16-22, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Paul told the Ephesians that before the foundation of the world God chose them to be holy and blameless and “in Christ” he gave them every spiritual blessing. They were to grasp the magnitude of this calling and Christ’s desire to make them his bride. By resurrecting and exalting Jesus God demonstrated his power to accomplish all that he had planned for humanity.
Children of Wrath
1. How does Paul describe unbelievers in Ephesians 2:1? Paul says unbelievers are dead in trespasses & sins (Eph. 2:1).
2. What words from verse 5 do many versions add to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:1? Many versions inappropriately add “hath he quickened” to verse 1 (Eph. 2:1, 5).
3. What is “the course of this world”? “The course of this world” is the easy road that leads to destruction. It is like just floating downstream as dead fish do (Matt. 7:13; Eph. 2:2).
4. What spirit works in all unbelievers? Satan’s spirit works in all unbelievers for he claims to be the prince of this world (John 12:31; Eph. 2:2).
5. How does Paul describe the lifestyle of unbelievers? Unbelievers follow the lusts of their flesh, fulfilling the desires of their flesh & of their minds (that of their sinful natures) (Eph. 2:3).
6. What does the phrase “were by nature the children of wrath” mean? All mortals have sinful natures, but here Paul is emphasizing our legal inheritance. Only unbelievers live under God’s wrath (condemnation). Believers are not condemned to wrath for they have passed from death unto life. That is why they do not walk after the flesh but rather, they walk after the Spirit (John 5:24; Rom. 5:17; 8:1; Eph. 2:3; 1 John 3:14).
Saving Grace
7. Why did God think to bring life to people dead in sins? It was because of God’s great love, rich mercy, & abundant grace that God chose to bring life to people dead in sins (Eph. 2:4-5).
8. Where and when did God give life to fallen humanity? Before the world began God gave Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. It was then in him that he gave life to fallen humanity (Eph. 2:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8).
9. When was the saving grace of God made manifest? The grace that God gave humanity in Christ before the world began was manifest when Jesus took our humanity here on earth (Eph. 2:6; 2 Tim. 1:10)
10. What does God propose to do in the ages to come? In the ages to come God proposes to show the richness of that grace that he gave to humanity in Jesus by revealing all that the plan of human salvation involved (Eph. 2:7).
Saving Faith
11. Of which kind of grace is Paul writing in Ephesians 2:8? The grace Paul speaks of here is that grace which is in the heart of God (his kindness) & not that grace which overflowed from there in the gift of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:7-8; Tit. 2:11).
12. How does faith function in human salvation? Faith is like the hand that receives salvation as God’s gift. There is no merit in faith for it also is a gift from God (Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:8).
13. How is it that God can count a person righteous when all they do is accept the gospel story for themselves? Saving faith takes hold of Jesus & all that he is & offers him to the Father. Since the Father is well pleased with his Son he is well pleased with those who come to him in the Son (Matt. 25:1-12; Col. 2:10).
14. Why does Paul add “not of works” in verse 9? The rudiments of the world teach that “you get what you pay for” but God’s salvation is not after that order. He gives what he paid for & taking any credit to ourselves is blasphemy (Rom. 3:28; Eph. 2:9).
15. Does God have any interest in our good works? God desires that our lives be filled with good works, not as a means of our salvation but rather as a grateful response to the salvation that God gives us in Jesus (Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14).
16. What roles do grace and faith play in our salvation? Grace is God’s unmerited favor shown to humanity in the gift of his Son & faith alone is the proper response to the favor God has shown (Eph. 2:8).
17. How do we receive faith? God gives to all a measure of faith. It comes by hearing his word. It is up to us to use the faith he gives us & not discard it (Rom. 10:17; 12:3; Eph. 2:8).