Monday, October 16, 2006

Structure of Ephesians 2:1-10 (Part 2)

Here's my preliminary analysis of Ephesians 2:1-10. Again, see my post on 8/16/06 for an explanation of the notation used in this analysis. Enjoy!



And you were dead in the trespasses and sins → INTRO (1a)
in which you once walked → ELABORATION 1a (2a)
following the course of this world → MANNER 2a (2b)
following the prince of the power of the air → MANNER 2a (2c)
the spirit that is now at work → ELABORATION 2c (2d)
in the sons of disobedience → SPHERE 2d (2e)
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh → ELABORATION 2e (3a)
carrying out the desires of the body and the mind → MANNER 3a (3b)
and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind → ELABORATION 2e (3c)
But God, being rich in mercy → ORIENTER 1a–3c (4a)
because of the great love with which he loved us → REASON 5b, 6a, 6b (4b)
even when we were dead in our trespasses → CONCESSIVE 4b (5a)
made us alive together with Christ → MAIN IDEA (5b)
by grace you have been saved → PARENTHETICAL STATEMENT 5b (5c)
and raised us up with him → MAIN IDEA (6a)
and seated us with him → MAIN IDEA (6b)
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus → SPHERE 5b, 6a, 6b (6c)
so that in the coming ages he might show → PURPOSE 5b, 6abc (7a)
the immeasurable riches of his grace → CONTENT 7a (7b)
in kindness → MANNER 7b (7c)
toward us in Christ Jesus → SPHERE 7c (7d)
For by grace you have been saved through faith → ELABORATION 4a–7d (8a)
And this is not your own doing → ELABORATION 8a (8b)
it is the gift of God → ELABORATION 8b (8c)
not a result of works → ELABORATION 8c (9a)
so that no one may boast → REASON 8bcd (9b)
For we are his workmanship → GROUNDS 8–9 (10a)
created in Christ Jesus for good works → PURPOSE 10a (10b)
which God prepared beforehand → ELABORATION 10b (10c)
that we should walk in them → PURPOSE 10c (10d)

Friday, October 06, 2006

The Structure of Ephesians 2:1-10 (Part 1)

Ephesians 2:1-4 = a description of the believer's sinful past
v.1-2a = formerly characterized by a sinful life-style
v. 2b-3 = formerly influenced by evil cosmic forces and our sinful nature
Ephesians 2:5-10 = a description of the Divine initiative that remedied our sinful state
v. 4-5a = the basis of the Divine initiative
v. 5b-7 = the effects of the Divine initiative (a three-fold description of our "union with Christ")
v. 8-10 = a summary of the Gospel that achieves our "union with Christ"
v. 8-9 = how God effects our salvation
v. 10 = the purpose of our salvation

A more detailed analysis to come!