Ephesians 2:5

Dead in sins. This phrase may be connected with “loved us,” thus calling attention to God’s great love for us “while we were yet sinners” (see on Rom. 5:8).

Quickened. Gr. suzopoiéō “to make alive together” (see on v. 1). This word is used in the NT only here and in Col. 2:13. It and its simpler form, zoopoieo, “to make alive,” are used 14 times in the NT, and refer to a change from death to life, a rebirth, a new life. As Christ was quickened from the grave, so man is quickened from spiritual death. It is God’s purpose to bring man into a new sphere, a new relationship in which he is governed by new principles.

Together with Christ. We are crucified with Him, we die with Him, we rise with Him, we live with Him, we reign with Him, we are joint heirs with Him, we suffer with Him, we share His glory (see Rom. 6:3-8; 8:17; Gal. 2:20). Salvation is achieved not by instruction or moral suasion, but by the believer’s having access, through faith, to the energizing life that flows from Christ.

By grace ye are saved. See on v. 8. The apostle is full of the subject of salvation by grace, and thus throws in this thought parenthetically here so as to highlight God’s wonderful act. The form of the verb indicates a past act resulting in a present condition. There are three aspects of salvation — past, present, and future (see on Rom. 8:24).