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even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:5)

This verse is saying that even when we were spiritually dead and separated from God because of our sins, God made us alive in Christ through his grace. Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven and reconciled to God. It is not something we can earn or deserve but is a gift from God.

Here is a phrase-by-phrase exegetical commentary on Ephesians 2:5:

“Even when we were dead” – This phrase refers to the state of spiritual separation from God that all people are born into. It suggests that before we come to faith in Jesus, we are spiritually dead, unable to have a relationship with God or experience his life and salvation.

The Greek phrase that is often translated as “even when we were dead” is “ethnē de ēmeis nekroi.” The word “ethne” means “even,” the word “de” is a conjunction that means “but” or “and,” the word “ēmeis” means “we,” and the word “nekroi” means “dead.” So, the phrase “ethnē de ēmeis nekroi” can be translated as “even when we were dead.”

This phrase is used to describe the state of spiritual separation from God that all people are born into. It suggests that before we come to faith in Jesus, we are spiritually dead, unable to have a relationship with God or experience his life and salvation. It is a reminder of the desperate state that we were in before we encountered God’s grace and mercy.

“In our transgressions” – This phrase refers to the sins that we have committed and the ways that we have rebelled against God. It suggests that our sins have separated us from God and have caused us to be spiritually dead.

The Greek phrase that is often translated as “in our transgressions” is “en tais paraptōmasin hēmōn.” The word “en” means “in,” the word “tais” is the plural form of the definite article “the,” the word “paraptōmasin” means “transgressions” or “offenses,” and the word “hēmōn” means “our.” So, the phrase “en tais paraptōmasin hēmōn” can be translated as “in our transgressions” or “in our offenses.”

This phrase is used to refer to the sins that we have committed and the ways that we have rebelled against God. It suggests that our sins have separated us from God and have caused us to be spiritually dead. It is a reminder of the guilt and shame that we carry because of our sin, and of the need for God’s forgiveness and grace.

“He made us alive” – This phrase refers to the work of Jesus on the cross, where he died in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. It suggests that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be made spiritually alive and reconciled to God.

In Ephesians 2:5, the Greek phrase that is often translated as “he made us alive” is “sunezōopoiesen hēmas.” The word “sunezōopoiesen” is a compound verb that is formed from the prefix “sun-” meaning “together,” the verb “zōopoieō” meaning “to make alive,” and the suffix “-sen” which is a form of the verb “to be.” So, the phrase “sunezōopoiesen hēmas” can be translated as “he made us alive” or “he gave us life.”

This phrase refers to the work of Jesus on the cross, where he died in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. It suggests that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be made spiritually alive and reconciled to God. It is a reminder of the hope and new life that we have through faith in Jesus.

“Together with Christ” – This phrase suggests that when we come to faith in Jesus, we are united with him in his death and resurrection. It suggests that we share in his victory over sin and death, and that we are made alive together with him.

In Ephesians 2:5, the Greek phrase that is often translated as “together with Christ” is “sunechōristhēmen.” The word “sunechōristhēmen” is a compound verb that is formed from the prefix “sun-” meaning “together,” the verb “echōristhēmi” meaning “to be united with,” and the suffix “-men” which is a form of the verb “to be.” So, the phrase “sunechōristhēmen” can be translated as “we were united with” or “we were made one with.”

This phrase suggests that when we come to faith in Jesus, we are united with him in his death and resurrection. It suggests that we share in his victory over sin and death, and that we are made alive together with him. It is a reminder of the way that our relationship with Jesus transforms us and gives us new life.

“By grace you have been saved” – This phrase refers to the free gift of salvation that God offers to us through faith in Jesus. It suggests that we cannot earn or deserve this salvation, but that it is offered to us purely by God’s grace and mercy.

In Ephesians 2:5, the Greek phrase that is often translated as “by grace you have been saved” is “chariti sesōtēte.” The word “chariti” means “grace,” the word “se” is a reflexive pronoun meaning “yourself,” and the word “sōtēte” is the second person singular, perfect tense form of the verb “to save.” So, the phrase “chariti sesōtēte” can be translated as “you have been saved by grace” or “you have been saved through grace.”

This phrase refers to the free gift of salvation that God offers to us through faith in Jesus. It suggests that we cannot earn or deserve this salvation, but that it is offered to us purely by God’s grace and mercy. It is a reminder of the way that God’s love and grace reaches out to us, even when we are unable to save ourselves.