Fathers

Ephesians 2

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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.

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 2:5

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Even when we were dead through our trespasses He quickened us together with Christ." Again is Christ introduced, and it is a matter well worthy of our belief, because if the Firstfruits live, so do we also. He hath quickened both Him, and us. Seest thou that all this is said of Christ incarnate? Beholdest thou "the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe?" Them that were dead, them that were children of wrath, them hath he quickened. Beholdest thou "the hope of his calling?"

Homily on Ephesians 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Here is the end of the previously begun thought, while the rest is all a parenthetical insertion. Again Christ is the mediator, and the matter is worthy of trust: for if the firstfruits (the firstborn) lives, then we also live; since God gave life to both Him and us: to Him in actuality, and to us in power for now, and a little later — also in actuality. Behold the extraordinary greatness of His power, namely that He gave life to the dead, the sons of wrath. In this lies the hope of our calling. …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Theodoret of Cyrus

Since he rose, we hope that we too shall rise. He himself [by his rising] has paid our debt. Then Paul explains more plainly how great the gift is: "You are saved by grace." For it is not because of the excellence of our lives that we have been called but because of the love of our Savior.

Interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians 2.4.5 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory that will be revealed in us. If so, we are saved by grace rather than works, for we can give God nothing in return for what he has bestowed on us.

Commentary on Ephesians 2:1 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The exemplary cause of the blessing is that it is granted in Christ. In reference to this he states "even when we were dead in sins, he has quickened us together in Christ." He touches upon a triple blessing: justification, resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven—through these three we are assimilated to Christ. …

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 ↗