CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/2-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/49_Eph_02_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 2:1 - Alive with Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And you were dead in your trespasses and sins," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ephesians/2-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ephesians/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ephesians/">Ephesians</a> > <a href="/ephesians/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/1-23.htm" title="Ephesians 1:23">◄</a> Ephesians 2:1 <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm" title="Ephesians 2:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ephesians/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ephesians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ephesians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you were dead in the trespasses and sins<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ephesians/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And you <i>hath he quickened</i>, who were dead in trespasses and sins;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ephesians/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you <i>He made alive,</i> who were dead in trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ephesians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you were dead in your offenses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ephesians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ephesians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ephesians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you were dead in your transgressions and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ephesians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead <i>and</i> separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ephesians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ephesians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ephesians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ephesians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ephesians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And you did he quicken, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ephesians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You were once dead because of your failures and sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ephesians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ephesians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You used to be dead because of your offenses and sins <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ephesians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ephesians/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And although you were dead in your transgressions and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ephesians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You were made alive when you were dead in your transgressions and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ephesians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And you hath he revived, who were dead in trespasses and sins;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />To you Gentiles also, who were dead through your offences and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ephesians/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ephesians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also you—being dead in trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ephesians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also you -- being dead in the trespasses and the sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ephesians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye being dead in faults and in sins;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ephesians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And you, when you were dead in your offences, and sins, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ephesians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you were once dead in your sins and offenses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ephesians/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You were dead in your transgressions and sins<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You were dead through the trespasses and sins<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />AND he has quickened you also who were dead because of your sins and trespasses;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he fills even you who were dead in your sins and in your stupidity.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/ephesians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Even you, being dead to offenses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/ephesians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />You, who were dead in trespasses and in your sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/ephesians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />AND you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/ephesians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />When you were in that destructive state of transgression and sin,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/ephesians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />To you Gentiles also, who were dead through your offences and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/ephesians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />You also <i>did He make alive</i>, when ye were dead in your trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/ephesians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And you <i>hath he made alive</i> who were dead in trespasses and sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ephesians/2-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=201" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm">Alive with Christ</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ontas (V-PPA-AMP) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">were</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekrous (Adj-AMP) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3900.htm" title="3900: paraptōmasin (N-DNP) -- A falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin. From parapipto; a side-slip, i.e. error or transgression.">trespasses</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartiais (N-DFP) -- From hamartano; a sin.">sins,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">2</span>in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Colossians 2:13</a></span><br />When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Romans 6:13</a></span><br />Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Romans 8:6-7</a></span><br />The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, / because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Colossians 1:21</a></span><br />Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-22.htm">1 Corinthians 15:22</a></span><br />For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a></span><br />Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-24.htm">John 5:24</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5</a></span><br />For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-3.htm">Titus 3:3</a></span><br />For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a></span><br />We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22</a></span><br />But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-24.htm">Luke 15:24</a></span><br />For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;</p><p class="hdg">you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Ephesians 2:5,6</a></b></br> Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/1-19.htm">Ephesians 1:19,20</a></b></br> And what <i>is</i> the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/5-25.htm">John 5:25</a></b></br> Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.</p><p class="hdg">dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Ephesians 2:5</a></b></br> Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a></b></br> Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a></b></br> Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/galatians/6-8.htm">Life</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Offences</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-36.htm">Quickened</a> <a href="/romans/14-9.htm">Revived</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Transgressions</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-7.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">Life</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Offences</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Quickened</a> <a href="/philippians/4-10.htm">Revived</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Transgressions</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ephesians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ephesians/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And you were dead</b><br>This phrase highlights the spiritual state of humanity before salvation. In biblical terms, "dead" refers to a separation from God, the source of life. This concept is rooted in <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a>, where God warns Adam that eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil would result in death. The death here is not immediate physical death but spiritual death, a separation from God. This spiritual death is a universal condition, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The idea of being "dead" underscores the inability of humans to save themselves, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.<p><b>in your trespasses</b><br>"Trespasses" refers to specific acts of wrongdoing or deviations from the right path. The term implies a conscious crossing of boundaries set by God. In the cultural context of the time, laws and boundaries were well understood, and crossing them had serious consequences. This concept is echoed in the Lord's Prayer (<a href="/matthew/6-12.htm">Matthew 6:12</a>), where forgiveness of "trespasses" is sought. The use of "your" personalizes the message, indicating that these are individual acts for which each person is accountable. Theologically, this highlights the personal nature of sin and the need for personal repentance and forgiveness.<p><b>and sins</b><br>"Sins" is a broader term that encompasses both acts of commission and omission, as well as the inherent sinful nature of humanity. The Greek word for sin, "hamartia," means missing the mark, akin to an archer missing a target. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, as seen in <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a>, which explains that sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and death through sin. The dual mention of "trespasses and sins" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of human wrongdoing, covering both specific actions and the general state of sinfulness. This underscores the totality of human depravity and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and culture. The church in Ephesus was one of the early Christian communities to which Paul wrote.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ephesian_believers.htm">The Ephesian Believers</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, these early Christians were being reminded of their spiritual state before coming to faith in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_death.htm">Understanding Spiritual Death</a></b><br>Spiritual death is a state of separation from God due to sin. Recognizing this condition is crucial for understanding the need for salvation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_trespasses_and_sins.htm">The Nature of Trespasses and Sins</a></b><br>Trespasses (Greek: "parapt?ma") and sins (Greek: "hamartia") indicate deliberate disobedience and falling short of God's standards. Reflect on areas in life where these might be present.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_a_savior.htm">The Need for a Savior</a></b><br>Acknowledging our spiritual deadness highlights the necessity of Jesus Christ's redemptive work. This realization should lead to gratitude and reliance on His grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_christ.htm">Transformation through Christ</a></b><br>The passage sets the stage for understanding the transformation that occurs through faith in Christ. Believers are called to live in the newness of life that He provides.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_awareness_of_past_and_present.htm">Living in Awareness of Past and Present</a></b><br>Remembering our past state without Christ should motivate us to live in the light of our new identity and purpose in Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_on_monergism_vs._synergism.htm">What does the Bible say about Monergism vs. Synergism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_the_living_'dead_in_trespasses'.htm">In Ephesians 2:1–3, how can people be “dead in trespasses” if they’re already physically alive? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_five_points_of_calvinism.htm">What are the five points of Calvinism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'dead_in_sins'_mean.htm">What does "dead in trespasses and sins" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">And you hath he quickened.</span>--<span class= "ital">And you also.</span> St. Paul here begins the particular application to the Ephesians, which is the main subject of this chapter, broken off in <a href="/context/ephesians/2-3.htm" title="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.">Ephesians 2:3-10</a>, and resumed in <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm" title="Why remember, that you 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;">Ephesians 2:11</a>. The words "hath He quickened" (or, properly, <span class= "ital">did He quicken</span>) are supplied here from <a href="/ephesians/2-5.htm" title="Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)">Ephesians 2:5</a>--rightly, as expressing the true sense and tending to greater clearness, but perhaps not necessarily.<p><span class= "bld">Trespasses and sins.</span>--These two words, more often used separately, are here brought together, to form a climax. The word rendered "trespass" signifies a "swerving aside and falling"; the word rendered "sins" is generally used by St. Paul in the singular to denote "sin" in the abstract, and signifies an entire "missing of the mark" of life. Hence, even in the plural, it denotes universal and positive principles of evil doing, while "trespass" rather points to failure in visible and special acts of those not necessarily out of the right way.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-10.</span> - SPIRITUAL HISTORY OF THE EPHESIANS. This passage corresponds to <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>. It is a history of creation, and we note the same great stages. <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> Chaos (vers. 1-3). <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> The dawn - the Spirit of God moving on the face of the waters (ver. 4). <p><span class="Text_Heading">3.</span> The work of creation - in successive stages (vers. 4-10). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">You also, who were dead in your trespasses and your sins.</span> The apostle returns from his digression, in which he had shown the marvelous working of the Divine power on Christ, to show the working of the same power on the Ephesian converts themselves. The <span class="greek">ὑμἀς</span> is not governed by any verb going before; it manifestly depends on the <span class="greek">συνεζωοποίησεν</span> of ver. 5, but it is separated from it by a new digression (vers. 2, 3), on which the apostle immediately starts. While the same quickening power of God was exerted on Christ and on the Ephesians, it was exerted to very different effects: in the case of Christ, raising him literally from the dead and exalting him to heavenly glory; in the case of the Ephesians, raising them from spiritual death and exalting them to high spiritual privileges. We may observe the change from the second to the first person, and <span class="accented">vice versa</span>, in this chapter as in <a href="/ephesians/1.htm">Ephesians 1</a>. Second person (vers. 1, 8, 11); first (vers. 3, 10, 14); and the two streams brought together (ver. 18). The chapter closes beautifully with an emblem of the Church as the one temple of which <span class="accented">all</span> believers are parts. The <span class="accented">death</span> ascribed to the Ephesians in their natural state is evidently <span class="accented">spiritual</span> death, and "trespasses and sins," being in the dative (<span class="greek">νεκροὺς τοῖς</span> <span class="greek">παραπτώμασι καὶ ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις</span>), seems to indicate the cause of death - "dead through your trespasses and your sins" (R.V.); "dead <span class="accented">of</span> your trespasses," etc., is suggested by Alford. It is not easy to assign a different meaning to the two nouns here; some suggest <span class="accented">acts</span> of transgression for the one, and sinful tendencies or principles for the other, but this distinction cannot be carried out in all other passages. The killing effect of sin is indicated. As sins of sensuality kill truthfulness, industry, integrity, and all virtue, so sin generally, affecting as it does our whole nature, kills, or does not suffer to live, the affections and movements of the spiritual life. A state of "death" implies previous life - the <span class="accented">race</span> lived before; it implies also a state of insensibility, of utter powerlessness and helplessness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ephesians/2-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">As for</span><br /><span class="grk">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you were</span><br /><span class="grk">ὄντας</span> <span class="translit">(ontas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dead</span><br /><span class="grk">νεκροὺς</span> <span class="translit">(nekrous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(tois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">trespasses</span><br /><span class="grk">παραπτώμασιν</span> <span class="translit">(paraptōmasin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3900.htm">Strong's 3900: </a> </span><span class="str2">A falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin. From parapipto; a side-slip, i.e. error or transgression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">sins,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτίαις</span> <span class="translit">(hamartiais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 2:1 You were made alive when you were (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/1-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 1:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 1:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 2:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 2:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>