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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 71

"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

THE NATURE OF MAN IN A NUTSHELL

Paul’s description of the nature of man was anything but pretty. In a few short verses, he painted a dim and dismal view of the nature of man. Six features may be highlighted:-

1. Man was not just a fallen creature, he was spiritually “dead”. (Ephesians 2:1)

2. He was sinful, enmeshed in “trespasses and sins” . (Ephesians 2:1)

3. He was influenced by the world. (Ephesians 2:2)

4. He was under the sway of none other than the devil. (Ephesians 2:2)

5. He was powerless against the will of sin. (Ephesians 2:3)

6. The Jew was no better than the Gentile- both were sinners. (Ephesians 2:3)

“BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH”

As if these features were not enough, Paul added another one. There was no mistaking the gravity of the tone of the phrase. Mankind may be described as “children of wrath”.

1. Definition of the word “wrath” (“orge”)

Different synonyms may be used to help us understand the word “wrath”.

a) Retribution
b) Punishment
c) Revenge

God’s wrath or anger was not a “spontaneous outburst” of emotion. God’s wrath against man’s sin was perfectly understandable. Man had sinned so badly that he merited this fitting response from God.

2. Other vital texts that speak of the wrath of God

The following texts also speak of the wrath of God.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
ROMANS 1:18

“Because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience.”
COLOSSIANS 3:6

What is the significance of these texts on the wrath of God? In the original reference, “the wrath of God” was directed against “the Gentiles” for their sinfulness. In the Ephesians text, Paul included “Jews” as “children of wrath”. This was a noteworthy and poignant presentation of this concept.