By Nature Children of Wrath as others !

I noticed you used the King James Version for your translation of Ephesians 2:3. Why is that? The Greek ἀνεστράφημέν (from ἀναστρέφω) is best translated “lived” as in the ESV or the NRSV. “Conversation” in Older English meant the manner of life. It comes from the Latin word conversātiō which meant “living together, way of life, manner of conduct, intercourse (social or moral).” "Lived" is a much more contemporary way of expressing the Greek ἀναστρέφω. The BDAG puts it this way: “to conduct oneself in terms of certain principles, act, behave, conduct oneself, live, . . . always with the kind of behavior more exactly described.”

So, let’s put Ephesians 2:3 back into its immediate context. Here is Eph. 2:1–5 in the NRSV:

2:1 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—​

So let us see what is being said here. The “you” (pl.) here is the Gentiles. That is evident from 2:11. The “we” are the Jews, who were the first to set their hope on Christ (1:11–12). The inheritance belongs to them. The Gentiles, when they believed receive the seal of the Holy Spirit (1:13). The pronouns in Ephesians are very important for understanding what is being said.

Gentile Christians were once dead following the course of this world, etc. That is, they were pagans and idol worshippers. Jews lived among them in the passions of the flesh. (In Ephesus, these would be considered Diaspora Jews.) They were, BY NATURE (φύσις), children of wrath, just like the Gentiles (everyone else). So both Jews and Gentiles were children of wrath. But God, rich in mercy, even when we were dead, made us alive again together (with you the Gentiles) with Christ. That means both Jews and Gentiles participate in Christ through faith (2:8). Gentiles, who once were far off, have now been brought near (2:11–13).

Paul is arguing for a united community of Jews and Gentiles where the wall of animosity has been broken down (2:14–16). This new community takes place in Christ.

What is key here is that both groups were, by nature, children of wrath. God’s mercy changes that nature through new birth.

I will not comment on the other verses at this time since my time is limited. You can find my argument about vessels of wrath and mercy in my book – Mercy for All.
 
Back
Top Bottom