Ephesians 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
Verse 3 continues the description of life before Christ, saying “among whom we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh.” It emphasizes common humanity in sin—the pre-Christ identity shared by Jews and Gentiles alike. The phrase “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” captures both tangible acts and inner dispositions. In Paul’s world, “children of wrath” is a stark indictment of humanity’s spiritual state apart from grace. The verse highlights humanity’s inherent tendency to choose self-centeredness, while being under the power of sin’s consequences. The rhetorical structure widens the scope from individual to universal—“we all”—to stress the sufficiency of grace for all.
This verse underscores total depravity in Pauline terms: sin affects every dimension of personhood—desires, thoughts, and trajectory. It sets up the radical mercy of God in salvation by grace, which reverses this state. It also foreshadows the reconciliation between Jew and Gentile, a central theme in Ephesians, showing that both groups stand equally in need of grace and equally recipients of Christ’s saving work.
See how your pre-Christian patterns—pride, self-will, or self-sufficiency—still tempt you. Practical steps: confess your sin humbly, seek accountability with a trusted Christian friend, and trust in God’s mercy to transform. Practice humility by serving others, resisting the urge to dominate or judge. Allow grace to reframe your identity: you are not defined by past sins but by new life in Christ. Engage in practices that renew the mind—Scripture reading, worship, and positive community relationships that reflect God’s mercy.
Cross-References: Romans 3:10-23; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Colossians 3:5-10