Ephesians 2:1-3
1 “And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.”
Verse 1: Paul is emphasizing the spiritual state of humanity before coming to faith in Christ. He uses the strong language of death to illustrate the separation from God caused by our trespasses and sins. It is important to note that this is a past tense statement, highlighting the condition we were in before receiving new life in Christ.
Verse 2: Before believers were transformed in Christ, they lived according to the world. They walked according to the patterns and values of the world, under the influence of the enemy, who is referred to as the prince of the power of the air. This highlights the spiritual forces at work in the world, but it is important to remember that believers have been delivered from this domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13).
Verse 3: Paul includes himself in this description, emphasizing the universal condition of humanity apart from Christ. Before experiencing the new birth, all people lived in the pursuit of self-gratification, driven by the desires of the flesh and mind. By nature, we were children of wrath, deserving of God’s judgment. However, it is crucial to recognize that this is a description of our past state, not our present reality as believers.