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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 69

"Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others."

Text: Ephesians 2:3

A COMPARATIVE APPROACH

You would have noticed that our study of the Epistle to the Ephesians (RBTS EPHESISIANS) makes constant reference to the Greek text. This was the original intention of the writer to study the text comparing the English version (NKJV) and the Greek text. This comparative approach was decided upon for a number of reasons. Two may be highlighted.

1. The danger of being over-familiar with the English text

When we become too familiar with the English text, we tend to gloss over texts that we have read before. Sometimes we end up missing out many important details. A comparative approach is a good corrective measure.

2. The use of the Greek text

Our understanding of the word of God is that much more enhanced and enriched when we take the trouble to look at the text translated afresh along the way. A comparative approach affords us the means of looking at the texts in a deeper manner.

“FULFILLING THE DESIRE OF THE FLESH AND OF THE MIND”

This sentence at first reading can be quite disturbing. We cannot help but puzzle over the words “fulfilling” and “desire” used in this text. The puzzle is solved when we look at the Greek text carefully. Translated literally, it reads,

“Doing the will of the flesh and of the mind.”
EPHESIANS 2:3

1. The need to differentiate between “lusts” (“epithumia”) and “will” (“thelema”)

Paul used two separate terms which the NKJV did not differentiate.

“Lusts of our flesh…”
EPHESIANS 2:3

“The desires of the flesh…”
EPHESIANS 2:3

The NKJV translators use the word “fulfill” to complement the word “lusts”. In fact Paul was speaking of two different things:-

a) There was a problem of “the lusts of the flesh”
b) There was the issue of sin having “a will” of its own

Paul appears to highlight another important feature about the problem of “trespasses and sins”. They seek to exert a terrible will (“thelema”) on the individual.

2. The will of sin exerted on both the flesh and the mind

The will of sin is exerted mercilessly on both “the flesh” (“sarx”) and “the mind” (“dianoia”). This new insight helps us to appreciate in a new way the power of sin.