Fathers

Ephesians 2

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 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. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 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: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Ephesians 2:4

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But God, being rich in mercy." Not merely merciful, but rich in mercy; as it is said also in another place; "In the multitude of thy mercies." And again, "Have mercy upon me, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies."

Homily on Ephesians 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

We were doing deeds worthy of implacable wrath, but God, he says, is not simply merciful, but also "rich in mercy." And love from great mercy. For otherwise how would we — children of wrath — have been deemed worthy of love?

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

Do ye therefore, clothing yourselves with meekness, become the imitators of His sufferings, and of His love, wherewith He loved us when He gave Himself a ransom for us, that He might cleanse us by His blood from our old ungodliness, and bestow life on us when we were almost on the point of perishing through the depravity that was in us.

Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After exaggerating their state of festering sin (2:1), the Apostle recounts here the blessing of the grace of justification. Concerning which he does two things: First, he sets down the blessing itself. Secondly, he explains it (2:8). The blessing is described with reference to its three causes: First, the efficient cause. Secondly, the formal or exemplary cause (2:5). Thirdly, the final cause (2:7). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Bonaventure

Not only were we unfit to receive grace on account of ignorance of the divine precepts, but indeed also on account of our infirmity and powerlessness and concupiscence of earthly things: therefore the Lord willed to set up supports. That he might heal our languors, he descended into us through the Word crucified. …

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 1 ↗