Sermons on Ephesians 2:3

Ephesians 2:3 Interpretation:

Understanding Salvation: Beyond Misconceptions and Daily Growth (ChristWay Church) interprets Ephesians 2:3 as a vivid description of the universal human condition—everyone is born into sin, not into Christianity, and thus all are “by nature children of wrath.” The sermon uses the analogy of “intrusive thoughts” (a modern psychological term) to explain the ongoing struggle with sinful desires, even after salvation. The preacher also draws a distinction between justification (a moment) and sanctification (a process), emphasizing that the sinful nature persists and must be continually resisted. The analogy of “Christian streakers” (those who only put on the helmet of salvation but neglect the rest of the armor) is used to illustrate the danger of seeing salvation as a finish line rather than the starting point of transformation. This sermon uniquely frames Ephesians 2:3 as both a diagnosis of the human heart and a call to daily, practical spiritual growth.

The Universality of Sin and God's Amazing Grace (Beulah Baptist Church) offers a detailed interpretation of Ephesians 2:3 by focusing on the phrase “by nature children of wrath.” The sermon highlights the Greek word “phusis” (nature), explaining that it refers to an inborn, essential state rather than merely learned behavior. The preacher uses the analogy of a defective pool control system that cannot be fixed by any amount of effort, only replaced, to illustrate the futility of self-reform and the necessity of regeneration. This analogy is used to reinforce the idea that our sinful state is innate and unchangeable by human means, echoing the passage’s emphasis on the depth and universality of sin.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) interprets Ephesians 2:3 as a stark declaration that the “default position” of every human is to be under God’s wrath, not merely because of individual acts but because of an inherited, inescapable nature. The preacher uses the “parable of the biggest problem”—a story involving a church, a stolen pension fund, and a bomb threat—to illustrate that the wrath of God is the ultimate, often unrecognized, existential crisis facing every person. The sermon also draws a parallel between the ongoing presence of sin in the believer’s life and the necessity of Christ’s atoning work, emphasizing that only Christ’s bearing of wrath on the cross can resolve the problem described in Ephesians 2:3. The preacher’s use of the “cloud of wrath” metaphor (God’s wrath remains, not just comes upon) is a notable interpretive detail.

Understanding God: Revelation, Humility, and the True Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Ephesians 2:3 by explicitly referencing the Greek phrase “by nature children of wrath” to refute the idea of the universal fatherhood of God. The sermon highlights the distinction between being God’s creatures (in a general sense) and being God’s children (in a salvific sense), arguing that Ephesians 2:3 teaches that, apart from Christ, all are under wrath, not sonship. The preacher uses the linguistic and theological distinction to challenge both liberal and cultural Christian assumptions about human goodness and divine acceptance.

From Spiritual Deadness to Life in Christ (Desiring God) provides a detailed, distinctive interpretation by focusing on the metaphorical meaning of “deadness” in Ephesians 2:3. The sermon argues that “dead” does not mean physical or volitional incapacity, but a comprehensive spiritual inability: a deadness of darkness, hardness, and blindness to the beauty and worth of God. The preacher uses the metaphor of a “heart of stone” versus a “heart of flesh” (referencing Ezekiel’s new covenant promise) to explain that the deadness is a stony, unresponsive heart incapable of seeing or valuing God. The sermon also highlights the phrase “by nature children of wrath” as indicating a spiritual condition so locked in that only divine intervention can bring life, using the analogy of being “locked into darkness” and unable to see the attractiveness of God’s law or gospel.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) offers a detailed interpretation of Ephesians 2:3 by engaging the longstanding theological debate between original sin (Augustine) and the propensity to sin (Pelagius). The sermon sides with the doctrine of original sin, arguing that Ephesians 2:3’s phrase “by nature children of wrath” indicates an inherited, intrinsic sinfulness rather than a mere potential to sin. The preacher uses the analogy of genetic inheritance and epigenetics to illustrate how sin, like a hereditary disease, is passed down and affects every human being at the core of their being, not just through their actions. The sermon also draws a parallel between the spiritual and physical realms, suggesting that just as our genes can be influenced by our environment, so too our spiritual state is fundamentally shaped by the fall of Adam and Eve, resulting in a damaged image of God and a loss of original righteousness. This interpretation is further reinforced by referencing the Greek term for “by nature” (physis), emphasizing that our sinful condition is not merely behavioral but ontological—rooted in our very being.

Ephesians 2:3 Theological Themes:

Understanding Salvation: Beyond Misconceptions and Daily Growth (ChristWay Church) introduces the theme that sanctification is a lifelong process that begins at salvation, and that the ongoing presence of sinful desires is not evidence against salvation but a call to daily spiritual discipline. The sermon’s use of “intrusive thoughts” as a way to understand temptation and the war between flesh and Spirit adds a contemporary psychological dimension to the doctrine of original sin.

The Universality of Sin and God's Amazing Grace (Beulah Baptist Church) presents the theme of the utter inability of human beings to change their sinful nature through self-reform or good works, using the analogy of a defective machine that must be replaced, not repaired. The sermon also emphasizes the necessity of regeneration (new birth) as the only solution to the problem described in Ephesians 2:3, and connects the universality of sin to the universality of the need for atonement and repentance.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) develops the theme that the wrath of God is not merely punitive but necessary for the hope of a renewed creation—God’s wrath is what will ultimately destroy evil and make way for the new heavens and new earth. The sermon also explores the paradox that understanding the depth of God’s wrath is essential for truly grasping the depth of God’s love, especially as revealed in the cross of Christ. The preacher’s use of Tim Keller’s “ecological balance” metaphor to explain the interdependence of doctrines (wrath and love) is a fresh theological angle.

Understanding God: Revelation, Humility, and the True Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme that a proper understanding of Ephesians 2:3 should lead to humility, not pride, in believers. The sermon argues that only by recognizing ourselves as “children of wrath” can we truly appreciate grace, and that any theology which downplays this reality inevitably leads to a loss of the gospel’s power and a distortion of the church’s mission.

Transformative Grace: Luther's Insight on Sin and Righteousness (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme that true transformation is not a matter of increased effort or moral improvement but requires a radical renewal of the heart by God’s grace. The sermon uniquely frames sin as a matter of “misplaced adoration”—that sin is not just bad behavior but loving something more than God, and thus only a new heart, not new habits, can resolve it. It also presents the idea that a deep view of sin leads to greater compassion for sinners, since their problem is helplessness, not mere laziness.

From Spiritual Deadness to Life in Christ (Desiring God) adds the theme of “spiritual inability” as the core of human deadness. The sermon uniquely stresses that all faculties—intellect, will, emotions—are operational, but all are pervasively dead to God, resulting in an inability to see, feel, or value spiritual truth. This deadness is not just a lack of effort but a total incapacity to respond to God apart from being made alive by Him.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) introduces the nuanced theme that the doctrine of original sin is not just a theological abstraction but has practical implications for understanding evil, suffering, and the human condition. The sermon uniquely connects the concept of being “by nature children of wrath” to the necessity of imputed righteousness through Christ, arguing that without Christ’s righteousness, humanity stands utterly separated from God. It also explores the idea that suffering and evil, while products of a fallen nature, can serve a redemptive purpose by conforming believers to the image of Christ, shifting the focus from comfort to kingdom-mindedness. The preacher further suggests that the widespread societal embrace of sin is, in part, an attempt to silence the conviction of the Holy Spirit and normalize rebellion against God, thus deepening the need for Christians to confront evil both personally and publicly.

Ephesians 2:3 Historical and Contextual Insights:

The Universality of Sin and God's Amazing Grace (Beulah Baptist Church) provides historical context by referencing ancient religious practices (e.g., Mayan, Aztec, Canaanite, and Egyptian sacrifices) to illustrate the universal human awareness of sin and the need for atonement. The sermon also discusses the cultural context of Paul’s use of “by nature children of wrath,” explaining that in the Greco-Roman world, “nature” (phusis) was understood as an essential, unchangeable quality, reinforcing the idea that sinfulness is not merely a matter of behavior but of being.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) situates Ephesians 2:3 within the broader biblical narrative by referencing the fall of Adam and the inherited sin nature, connecting the passage to the doctrine of original sin as understood in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The preacher also references the historical persistence of evil and injustice across generations to underscore the necessity of divine wrath.

Transformative Grace: Luther's Insight on Sin and Righteousness (Ligonier Ministries) provides historical context by contrasting the views of Martin Luther and Erasmus during the Reformation. The sermon explains that Erasmus, reflecting the prevailing late medieval Catholic view, saw sin as spiritual sloth and the solution as increased effort, while Luther, shaped by his own experience and the biblical text, saw sin as a deep-rooted bondage affecting the will and desires. The preacher situates Ephesians 2:3 within this historical debate, showing how Luther’s “bondage of the will” was a radical departure from the moralistic, improvement-oriented Christianity of his time.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by referencing the ancient theological debate between Augustine (original sin) and Pelagius (propensity to sin), as well as the later Reformation-era dispute between Luther and Erasmus over the bondage of the will. The sermon situates Ephesians 2:3 within this broader historical conversation, explaining how interpretations of human nature and sin have shaped Christian doctrine for centuries. It also touches on the cultural context of the early church, where the understanding of inherited sinfulness would have contrasted with prevailing Greco-Roman views of human nature and morality.

Ephesians 2:3 Cross-References in the Bible:

Understanding Salvation: Beyond Misconceptions and Daily Growth (ChristWay Church) cross-references Romans 7:15-25 to illustrate the internal struggle between the sinful nature and the Spirit, and Galatians 5:16-24 to contrast the “works of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit.” These passages are used to expand on Ephesians 2:3’s depiction of the ongoing battle with sin and the evidence of spiritual transformation.

The Universality of Sin and God's Amazing Grace (Beulah Baptist Church) references a wide array of biblical passages to support and expand on Ephesians 2:3, including Psalm 51:5 (sin from conception), Romans 3:10-23 (universal sinfulness), John 3:18, 36 (wrath remains on unbelievers), Genesis 6:9, Job 1:1, Daniel 6:4 (righteous men still sinners), and Galatians 3:22 (all confined under sin). The sermon uses these references to demonstrate the consistency of the doctrine of original sin and the need for atonement throughout Scripture.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) cross-references Ecclesiastes 7:29 (God made man upright, but men sought many schemes), John 3:36 (God’s wrath remains on the unbeliever), Psalm 55 (the longing for God to destroy evil), and Isaiah 53:5 (the punishment that brought us peace was upon him). These passages are used to reinforce the reality of inherited sin, the necessity of wrath, and the substitutionary atonement of Christ.

Understanding God: Revelation, Humility, and the True Gospel (Ligonier Ministries) references Ephesians 2:3 in conjunction with Deuteronomy 7, 10, and 14 (God’s elective love for Israel), and Isaiah 6 (Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness and his own sinfulness). These cross-references are used to draw out the distinction between general and special sonship, and to highlight the necessity of humility before God’s holiness.

Transformative Grace: Luther's Insight on Sin and Righteousness (Ligonier Ministries) references several passages to expand on Ephesians 2:3: Proverbs 16:9 (“In his heart a man plans his course”), John 3 (“people love darkness”), James 1:14-15 (desire gives birth to sin), and Luke 7 (the one forgiven much loves much). These are used to show that sin is rooted in the heart’s desires and that only God’s grace can change what we love. The sermon also references Romans 8 and 1 Corinthians 2 to support the idea of spiritual inability and the need for new birth.

From Spiritual Deadness to Life in Christ (Desiring God) groups together Romans 3:23, 1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 143:2, 1 John 1:8, Ephesians 5:6, Ephesians 4:17-18, Romans 8:5-9, and 1 Corinthians 2:14. These passages are used to demonstrate the universality of sin, the nature of spiritual deadness as darkness and hardness, and the inability of the “natural person” to submit to or value God’s law. The preacher uses these texts to reinforce that Ephesians 2:3’s “children of wrath” is a universal, helpless condition.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) supports its interpretation of Ephesians 2:3 with several biblical cross-references: 1 Corinthians 15:22 (“as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive”) and Romans 5:12, 18 (sin and death entering through Adam, justification through Christ) are used to establish the universality and inherited nature of sin. Psalm 51:5 (“I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me”) is cited to reinforce the idea that sinfulness is present from conception, not merely acquired through actions. Romans 3:23 (“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”) is referenced to underscore the universality of sin. The sermon also references 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Hebrews 5:8 to discuss the redemptive purpose of suffering, and 1 John 5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to emphasize the ongoing struggle against evil and the call to reject it.

Ephesians 2:3 Christian References outside the Bible:

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) explicitly references Tim Keller, quoting his illustration of “ecological balance” in doctrine: just as removing predators from an ecosystem can have unintended consequences, removing the doctrine of God’s wrath from Christian teaching undermines the experience and understanding of God’s love. The preacher also references John Piper and Ajith Fernando, citing their emphases on the eternal significance of lostness and the primacy of the gospel mission. These references are used to reinforce the sermon's argument that a robust doctrine of wrath is essential for a robust experience of grace and love.

Transformative Grace: Luther's Insight on Sin and Righteousness (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references Martin Luther and Erasmus. Luther is quoted extensively, especially from his “97 Theses” and “On the Bondage of the Will,” to explain the depth of human sinfulness and the necessity of God’s grace to change the heart. Erasmus is cited as representing the opposing, more optimistic view of human ability. The sermon also mentions historical figures like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards as preachers who shared Luther’s radical view of sin during times of revival, emphasizing that a deep view of sin has historically led to spiritual renewal.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references several Christian theologians and works: Augustine is mentioned as the primary proponent of original sin, while Pelagius is cited as the advocate for the propensity to sin. The sermon also references Martin Luther’s debate with Erasmus, particularly Luther’s work “The Bondage of the Will,” to illustrate the historical depth of the discussion on human nature. Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology” is quoted to clarify that Scripture never depicts God as the author of evil but rather as sovereign over evil through the willing actions of moral creatures, and that God never takes pleasure in evil nor excuses human wrongdoing.

Ephesians 2:3 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Understanding Salvation: Beyond Misconceptions and Daily Growth (ChristWay Church) uses the analogy of “intrusive thoughts” from contemporary psychology to explain the persistent temptation and struggle with sin, making the doctrine of original sin relatable to a modern audience. The preacher also shares a personal story about lying to his mother about damaging her car, illustrating the deceptive allure of sin and its destructive consequences. Additionally, the analogy of “Christian streakers” (a humorous image of Christians wearing only the helmet of salvation) is used to critique a shallow approach to faith. The sermon further employs the example of putting on a dog shock collar out of curiosity—knowing it will hurt but wanting to experience it anyway—as a metaphor for the irrational pull of sin.

The Universality of Sin and God's Amazing Grace (Beulah Baptist Church) uses the analogy of a defective pool control system that cannot be fixed, only replaced, to illustrate the futility of self-reform in overcoming the sinful nature. The preacher also references common sayings from the news (“we all have clay feet,” “nobody’s perfect,” “every man has his price”) to demonstrate the universality of sin in everyday language. The story of missionary Jacob Chamberlain in India, and the public exposure of a man’s hidden sins by his neighbors, is used to show the self-deception and communal awareness of sin.

The Wrath of God and Christ's Sacrificial Love (Open the Bible) uses the “parable of the biggest problem,” a fictional story involving a church, a stolen pension fund, and a bomb threat, to illustrate the concept that the wrath of God is the ultimate, often unrecognized, crisis facing every person. The preacher also uses the metaphor of a “cloud of wrath” hanging over humanity, which remains unless removed by Christ, to make the abstract concept of divine wrath more tangible. The sermon references the experience of addiction as an analogy for the inescapable power of sin apart from grace, describing eternity under wrath as an endless cycle of destructive desire and regret.

Transformative Grace: Luther's Insight on Sin and Righteousness (Ligonier Ministries) uses the analogy of the church as an “army” (from Erasmus’s “Manual of the Christian Soldier”) versus a “family” (Luther’s view) to illustrate different approaches to sin and righteousness. The “army” metaphor is used to depict a Christianity focused on rule-keeping and discipline, while the “family” metaphor highlights relational love and the need for a changed heart. The sermon also uses the analogy of sin as an “addiction” or “slavery,” likening it to being trapped in a cycle of behavior that cannot be broken by willpower alone, but only by a change in what the heart desires—paralleling modern understandings of addiction and compulsion.

Confronting Evil: Finding Purpose in Suffering (SermonIndex.net) uses several secular analogies and stories to illustrate Ephesians 2:3. The preacher draws on the field of epigenetics, explaining how environmental factors and lifestyle can influence gene expression, to create a metaphor for how the fall has affected human nature at a fundamental level—suggesting that just as physical traits and diseases can be inherited and influenced, so too can spiritual brokenness. The sermon also references Winston Churchill’s famous “never give up” speech as a metaphor for Christian perseverance in confronting evil, emphasizing the need to resist the overwhelming might of the enemy. Additionally, the preacher recounts a story from a Holocaust museum visit, where a child’s question, “Why didn’t someone do something?” is used to challenge Christians to actively confront evil rather than remain passive. The analogy of an eagle fighting a snake by changing the battleground—lifting the snake into the air rather than fighting on the ground—is used to illustrate the need for Christians to engage in spiritual warfare on God’s terms, not the enemy’s.