Ephesians 2:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →We were spiritually dead, and God Himself breathed new life into us.
What Does Ephesians 2:1 Mean?
Paul names our old condition with a single, unflinching word: dead. We were dead in trespasses and sins, gone well past sick or weak, unable to revive ourselves any more than a body in the grave can rise on its own. To be quickened is to be made alive, the very thing only God can do. The whole weight of the sentence rests on what He did to a people who could do nothing.
The wonder is the verb hath quickened. The same power that raised Jesus from the tomb reaches into our deadness and gives us life we never could have found. Christ came to raise the dead, reaching far below any mere improvement of the living, and that is the hope held out to anyone who feels past saving. The story of every believer is a resurrection.
Ephesians 2:1 in the Original Language
suzoopoieo (συζωοποιέω), 'quickened' -- to make alive together with; the same word Paul uses of being raised to life with Christ.
How to Apply Ephesians 2:1 Today
When we feel spiritually lifeless, this verse meets us exactly there and tells us new life is God's work, not ours to manufacture. The One who raised Jesus is in the business of raising the dead, and that is precisely what He has done for us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 2:1
What does Ephesians 2:1 mean?
We were spiritually dead, and God Himself breathed new life into us.
How can I apply Ephesians 2:1 today?
When we feel spiritually lifeless, this verse meets us exactly there and tells us new life is God's work, not ours to manufacture. The One who raised Jesus is in the business of raising the dead, and that is precisely what He has done for us.