Ephesians 2:3
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that our desires aren't just about physical cravings, but also "desires of the mind"—wicked thoughts, ambitions, and purposes stemming from our unrenewed intellect. This reveals that our rebellion against God isn't just about base impulses, but a deeper, internal inclination toward sin that includes our very thinking.
The Apostle Paul is addressing both Jewish believers (the "we") and Gentile believers (the "you" from the previous verses). He's reminding them that before their conversion, both groups lived under the dominion of sin, driven by their fleshly desires and corrupted minds. He emphasizes that this wasn't just a casual habit but a fundamental state of being, making them inherently deserving of God's judgment, just like everyone else outside of Christ.
Ever feel like your desires are pulling you in different directions? The Bible calls this state 'living in the passions of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind.' What does that really mean for us, even today?
Paul paints a stark picture of life before Christ. He uses two key terms to describe the source of our actions:
The 'Flesh'
This isn't just about our physical bodies. In biblical terms, 'flesh' represents our fallen human nature, with all its corrupt inclinations and desires that go against God's will. It's the part of us that's naturally self-centered and easily swayed by temptation. Think of it as our inherited tendency towards sin.
The 'Mind'
Paul also mentions the 'mind' (or 'thoughts'). This refers to our intellect and will, which, apart from God's Spirit, are also corrupted. It's not just about base physical urges, but also the more subtle, willful plans and purposes that stem from our sinful nature. This can include things like pride, ambition, or resentment.
When Paul says we were 'fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind,' he means our entire being – our body, our thoughts, our will – was driven by these sinful inclinations. We weren't just occasionally stumbling; this was the very way we lived.
The verse states we were 'by nature children of wrath.' It sounds harsh, but what does this biblical concept truly reveal about our condition before God?
This phrase, 'children of wrath,' is profound and challenging. It speaks to our inherent state before God's saving intervention.
What 'Nature' Means Here
'By nature' (Greek: physei) points to something innate, something that belongs to our very being from birth. It's not about something we do, but something we are. It refers to our inherited condition as descendants of Adam, marked by a fallen nature.
Understand the original words
sarx · Greek Noun
The human nature in its fallen, unredeemed state; the seat of sinful impulses and desires that are contrary to the will of God.
orgē · Greek Noun
A state of being under the righteous, judicial judgment of God due to human sinfulness. It describes the holy antagonism of God against all that is evil and corrupt.
This passage echoes the universal sinfulness mentioned in Ephesians 2:3, stating that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' underscoring that no one is exempt from this fallen state.
Romans 1:18It highlights God's wrath being revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness, directly connecting to the idea in Ephesians 2:3 that people are 'by nature children of wrath' due to their sinful actions and disposition.
Galatians 5:19-21This passage lists 'works of the flesh' which are comparable to the 'desires of the flesh and of the mind' in Ephesians 2:3, showing the natural outworking of a sinful nature that leads to God's displeasure.
Psalm 51:5This psalm reveals the deep-seated nature of sin inherited from birth, correlating with Ephesians 2:3's statement that we are 'by nature' children of wrath, acknowledging an inherent sinful inclination from conception.
Colossians 1:21This verse describes the state of those alienated from God as enemies in their minds and in their evil deeds, paralleling the 'desires of the flesh and of the mind' and the resultant state of wrath described in Ephesians 2:3.
vincentEphesians 2:3: "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Had our conversation (ἀνεστράφημεν)See on the kindred noun conversation, 1 Peter 1:15. Rev., more simply, lived.Fulfilling (ποιοῦντες)Rev., doing. The verb implies carrying out or accomplishing, so that the A.V. is more nearly correct. See on Romans 7:15; see on John 3:21.Desires (θ…
bengelEphesians 2:3: "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Ephesians 2:3 . Καὶ ἡμεῖς ) we also , viz. Jews. In the last times of the Old Testament sin had greatly prevailed, even among the Jews, in order that grace might more abound; Romans 5:6 ; Romans 5:20 ; Titus 3:3 ; Luke 1:17 ; Luke 1:79 ; Matthew 4:16 .— ἀνεστράφημεν , we were conversan…
The verse highlights that our desires aren't just about physical cravings, but also "desires of the mind"—wicked thoughts, ambitions, and purposes stemming from our unrenewed intellect. This reveals that our rebellion against God isn't just about base impulses, but a deeper, internal inclination toward sin that includes our very thinking.
The Apostle Paul is addressing both Jewish believers (the "we") and Gentile believers (the "you" from the previous verses). He's reminding them that before their conversion, both groups lived under the dominion of sin, driven by their fleshly desires and corrupted minds. He emphasizes that this wasn't just a casual habit but a fundamental state of being, making them inherently deserving of God's judgment, just like everyone else outside of Christ.
The Apostle Paul is addressing both Jewish believers (the "we") and Gentile believers (the "you" from the previous verses). He's reminding them that before their conversion, both groups lived under the dominion of sin, driven by their fleshly desires and corrupted minds. He emphasizes that this wasn't just a casual habit but a fundamental state of being, making them inherently deserving of God's judgment, just like everyone else outside of Christ.
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Understanding 'Wrath'
God's 'wrath' isn't like human anger – it’s His righteous and holy opposition to sin. It's His necessary response to rebellion and evil. When the Bible says we are 'children of wrath,' it means that by our very nature, we are objects of God's just displeasure because of sin.
Not About Blame, But Reality
This doesn't mean every infant is consciously rebelling. Rather, it describes a universal condition: humanity, apart from Christ, stands under God's judgment. Our nature is so corrupted by sin that it inherently separates us from a holy God and makes us subject to His just condemnation. It’s the default state of humanity.
"among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." — The verse highlights that our desires aren't just about physical cravings, but also "desires of the mind"—wicked thoughts, ambitions, and purposes stemming from our unrenewed intellect. This reveals…
