Worketh in Greek is en-erg-eh’o which is be mighty, show forth or supernatural energy. Satan broadcasts his sinful influence through the power of thought just like radio broadcasts. These sinful evil thoughts come upon us just as the air we breath. The Jews believed the air was the dwelling place of evil fallen angels. The prince of the power of the air inspires those who live in disobedience or who are un-persuadable.

Eph 2:3 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.

In the first 2 verses the second person personal pronoun is used meaning the Ephesians but here the person is changed to first person. When Paul says: ye he is talking about the gentiles and when he says we he is talking about Paul and his Jewish brethren. Both Gentile and Jewish Christians had previously been dead in trespasses and sins. Fleshly desires and also impulses of a sinful mind such as pride for an example. Gentiles were dead in trespasses and sins and Jews were by nature children of wrath even as the Gentiles. Both are brought into this state by walking (living) in sin not by birth or being born sinful as little children. By nature does not mean we are born that way, cf:

The bible does not teach innate depravity. Little children are not born sinful cf:

Having shown both Jew & Gentile are spiritually dead, Paul declares a spiritual resurrection of the saints. This resurrection to a new life is due to God’s rich mercy and great love for us as children.

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Just as He quickened (made alive) Christ and raised Him up, so He gave us spiritual life by the gospel and lifted us up to a new life. We are planted in the likeness of His death, burial and raised up in the likeness of resurrection cf:

By grace are we saved and not by works of the law.

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Buried into the death of Christ, we are risen up with Him cf:

Risen as new creatures to walk with the risen Christ with our minds on heavenly things cf:

In our present state to have our minds above cf:

Ages to come is all future time. In saving us, purifying us and blessing all of His adopted children.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Lest they might forget the doctrine that he always preached, he reminds them that works of the law never saved them. They were saved by God’s grace shown in the gospel. The grammatical construction of the Greek does not allow us to make faith the subject of the clause. The definite article the is found in the Greek before faith showing that the faith or the gospel is meant. It is not faith but rather salvation through the faith which is the gift of God.

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This salvation is not due to works of the law or our own merit, therefore there is no grounds for boasting.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

It is God who has saved us as new creatures that He has made through the gospel. We are therefore His workmanship designed to henceforth abound in good works. God has always ordained that all who believe the gospel and are saved should practice good works. God hath graciously quickened us, saved us and made us new creatures and prepared us unto good works.

Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Un-circumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Remembrance of all that God hath done should awaken gratitude in our hearts and lives. There is a circumcision in the flesh, not made with hands but of the Spirit and heart cf:

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Without Christ is the past state of gentile Christians and describes a time in their past when they had no knowledge of Christ. Not being of the race of Abraham, who were in covenant relations with God. Strangers from the various covenants made with the patriarchs, which contained the promise of Christ. These promises of which they were ignorant and they therefore were not partakers of the hope. Having no hope in the promise of Christ and living without the knowledge of the true God.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Once so far off and separated from God they have been brought nigh and the means that brought them is the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

The crucified Christ brought us nigh for He alone is our peace with God cf:

Jesus is the creator of peace between Jew and Gentile and between alienated man and God. Jew and Gentile are one the old distinctions are destroyed in Christ. All are on the same footing before God. Jesus hath broken down or ended the Law of Moses which built up a wall between the Jews and Gentiles.

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

While He was in the flesh the Law condemned Him and nailed Him to the cross and in so doing the law destroyed itself. The old covenant ended at the cross when the new covenant was dedicated by the blood of Christ cf:

First the cross makes peace between Jew and Gentile and second the blood of the cross cleanses both before and makes peace between them and God. When the sinner fixes his mind on the bleeding savior the goodness of God leadeth him to repentance cf:

The Gentiles were afar off and the Jews were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

The spirit of adoption leads both to cry abba Father therefore both are brethren.

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Gentiles have been adopted and brought nigh and are fellow citizens of the Kingdom of God with all the saints.

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

All brethren are built into the Temple of God. God’s word as declared by the Apostles and prophets is the foundation of their faith. The corner stone was a stone of double size at the corner which became part of both walls and joined them together. Jesus has joined Jew and Gentile in the Temple of God. He is the foundation stone upon which the building rests and the stone of union cf:

Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In Christ Himself. The several parts of the building are united in Him so as to form a Holy Temple. That is all races Jew and Gentile are compacted into one Church.

Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Shekinah righteousness of God descended and dwelt in the Holy of Holies between the cherubim above the Ark of the covenant. But now God by means of the Holy Spirit dwells in the spiritual temple in the hearts of all believers. This new temple is composed of living stones cf:

These living stones make up a Holy Priesthood which is to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ cf: