Ephesians 2: 3
In The Power Of The Air and The Two Ages, Paul begins to explore human desire in a powerful way in Sons of Wrath.
3 All of us were once like that, our behaviour determined by the desires of our sinful human nature and our evil way of thinking. Like everyone else, in our nature, we were children of anger [Sons or Children of Wrath].*
Then – We – Sinful Human Nature
“All of us were once like that, our behaviour determined by the desires of our sinful human nature and our evil way of thinking.”
The previous verse established a “Then and Now” theme, referring to Gentiles as “you.” This verse shifts the focus to the Jews “our”, (“we” in other translations), stating that they, too, were subject to the desires of their sinful human nature.
Paul is looking back on his life as a Jew. A devoted Jew and Pharisee, but even that was not enough. Hence, we see that for everyone, no matter how religious you are, it is not enough. Whilst we may have been convinced that we were doing the right thing, we were, in reality, only slaves to our desires.
“our sinful human nature” is our base urges and desires.
“our evil way of thinking” (mind), read mindset.
That is we all both Jew and Gentile yield to our base urges and desires and corrupted mindset.
Sons of Wrath
“Like everyone else, in our nature, we were children of anger [Sons or Children of Wrath].*”
Or
“sons of disobedience”
Or
“sons of wrath”
Or
“children of wrath”
The word translated as “Children” or ‘Sons” is a Hebrew turn of phrase, that means “member of a group” (the “sons of the prophets,” 2 Kgs 2:7, 15). The phrase, “by nature, children of wrath,” is more dense but has a similar meaning. The phrase “son of…” or “child of…” combined with a verb of negative punishment is also a Hebrew turn of phrase. “A son of striking” = “one destined to be beaten” (Deut 25:2), “son of death” = “one who must be put to death” (1 Sam 26:16). In this sense, to be “by nature” refers not to a developed doctrine of original sin; rather, it is an image of 2:1, “being dead.” When you live in a state of death, you are “by nature” (naturally, through learned behaviour) bound to a life death. That is a life of death that produces more death until one dies.
Sons of Wrath – in History
This is why there are so many atrocities committed in the name of religion. Because we interpreted and had interpretations, propagandised to us that the wrong thing was right. Instead of being subject to the wisdom of God, which is what we were meant for, we allow ourselves to be subject to that which is not God. Despite what the world would have us believe, free will is not being without God, it is being in Him.
“Children of wrath” does not refer to a predestination of the eternally damned but to every person whose corrupt actions have placed them among those who will face divine justice.
Wrath of God
MARKUS BARTH, in his commentary “EPHESIANS: INTRODUCTION, TRANSLATION, AND COMMENTARY ON CHAPTERS 1–3, 231–232” wrote,
“In the Bible, the “wrath” of God, does not represent the intemperate outburst of an uncontrolled character. It is rather the temperature of God’s love, the manifestation of his will and power to resist, to overcome, to burn away all that contradicts his counsels of love. According to Gal 3:13, the full “curse” with which God threatened the trespasser was poured out upon Jesus alone so that those threatened by it might be saved. Curse is infinitely worse than wrath.”
Wrath of God’s We All Deserve it
BEN WITHERINGTON III, in his book “THE LETTERS TO PHILEMON, THE COLOSSIANS, AND THE EPHESIANS, 253–254, ” wrote,
“Paul hastens to add in v. 3 that all Christians, Jew or Gentile, once lived according to the desires of “our flesh,” by which he means carrying out in actions one’s sinful inclinations. Thus “we,” which, clearly, refers to Jews, were once “children of wrath by nature like everyone else.” It should be clear that Paul does not mean that people were destined for wrath since he is talking about himself and in this case other Jewish Christians. He means that they were acting in a fallen way like those who deserved God’s wrath.”
The Wrath of God is not an overreaction of God it is the natural consequence of trying to live under our own wisdom. God gave His son to save us all, that’s how serious this situation is, to say that God overreacts is absurd.
Wrath of God and “Why doesn’t God do something?”
Is it not fascinating that the world rants and raves about “Why doesn’t God do something” and yet when they read about God’s interventions in the Old Testament where he orders the wiping out of whole people, the world says “How dare He do that. It is so unjust”.
Why is it that we have to be reminded again and again that, hate breades hate and yet we still see hate as an appropriate choice? Surely as Christians reading this verse we get to see that just as hate breads hate sin breads sin and the natural consequences of that, the laws that God has put in place, will result in us paying for that sin. Just as state laws have the wrath of prison as a natural result of breaking state laws, so sin has the wrath of God as the natural result of breaking His laws.
Is it not more than interesting that only in the darkness of death do we begin to understand the sanctity of life?
The same is true of the corruption of every kind that oppresses people.
Wrath of God – Not Capricious
But God’s “wrath” as pointed out above, is not capricious. It is not God just lashing out in a fit of anger. It is the necessary reaction of the Holy God against everything that defaces destroys and corrupts His wonderful creation. Particularly His wonderful human creation. If God is not a God of wrath, issuing judgment on genocide and corruption of every kind that oppresses people, then He is not a loving God. Ironically it is necessary for goodness to persist in the world. Without seeing it what would we have to compare the richness of His mercy?
Do not get caught up in “God’s a vengeful God” thinking here. The God of the Old and New Testament is not different. God has always been slow to anger and compassionate (Ps. 108:8 is one of many verses repeating that). Opinions to the contrary are based on misunderstandings; hype is used to try and manipulate people into the Kingdom or to dismiss God.
Don’t get me wrong. The judgment of God on the disobedient is fearsome. It is not to be trifled with. But it is the consequences of our, own, actions. Not whimsical brutality, but the exasperation of a father who wants only the absolute best for His children, His creations who choose death rather than life. It is His desperate attempts to convince them otherwise.
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Questions:
Here are two sets of questions about Ephesians 2:3. The latter is harder than the former. designed for different levels of difficulty. Remember that interpreting scripture is complex and there are often multiple understandings of the same thing. The value lies in the exploration and discussion.
Set 1: Easier Questions
1. What are the main components of the “desires of the flesh and the mind”?
2. What does the phrase “children of wrath” mean in the context of this verse?
3. What is the significance of the word “by nature” (or equivalent phrasing in your translation)?
4. How would you summarize the main idea of Ephesians 2:3 in a single sentence?
Set 2: More Difficult Questions
These questions are designed to stimulate deeper thinking and discussion. Remember to approach the text with humility and a willingness to engage with different perspectives.
1. How does Ephesians 2:3 interact with the broader theological context of Paul’s writings, particularly concerning predestination and free will?
2. What are some of the implications of Ephesians 2:3?
3. Are humans inherently sinful or simply prone to sin?
4. How can we understand the “desires of the flesh and the mind” in the context of modern psychology and neuroscience?
5. How does the understanding of Ephesians 2:3 shape Christian ethics and practice in areas such as social justice, personal relationships, and political engagement?
======================================================== 1English: Free Bible Version Provided by: Free Bible Ministry, Inc. and open.bible, licensed under CC BY ND Published: 
*2:3. The Greek is literally, “Children in nature of anger.” Following the previous thought about human nature, this could mean we are “naturally angry” or rebellious towards God. Or we could view ourselves as the object of divine anger.
