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Discussion Questions:

1. Who are Paul's readers? What are the basics of the prayer he has for them (part of his purpose in writing the letter)?

2. What is the spiritual state of the pre-salvation individual? What does the Greek word signify?

3. What is the nature of an unsaved person? How does he walk?

4. Does Paul include himself in this group of the once dead?

5. Not only do the unsaved walk in the world, but they also what? What controls their wills?

6. Notice the end of verse 3 and what the unsaved are? In contrast what do the saved become?

7. What does it mean to be an "object" or "children" of wrath?

8. What kind of picture does Paul paint of the unsaved person in verses 1-3?

9. What are the two sweetest words in the Bible used here by Paul to explain the grace of God? (NASB which carries a much better rendering of the Greek emphasis here)

10. Who is the subject of verse 4 and following? Who is the "us"?

11. Just in case we have forgotten, what does Paul remind us of again in verse 5?

12. Because of that, what does Paul say the level of God's love is?

13. What is mercy? (Gk. eleos)

14. Verse 5 describes what has happened for Christians, what is it? (Gk. suzoopoieo {sood-zo-op-oy-eh'-o}). Who is responsible for this action (See question 10)?

15. What is Paul's mantra with regard to salvation? Why? What are the two tendencies of man he is combating here?

16. The verb "have been saved" is (verse 5) in the perfect tense which expresses the present permanent state as a result of a past action. How does that relate to the use of the past tense in the verbs "made alive", "raised up" and "seated."

17. Relate this reality to what Christians are sometimes called (cf. 1 Peter 1:1, Philippians 3:20).

18. How in the future will we know that God has been kind to us (Christians)?

19. Ephesians 2:8-9 are familiar. But have they made an impact in the world's understanding of God and the salvation he gives? How about for you?

20. What does the phrase "not of yourself" mean? (consider the Gk. words ouk and ek) To what does it refer? Why can't I boast?

21. What is the often missed associating between verses 9-10? What is the difference between doing good works and walking in the good works God has prepared in advance for us? (former NIV, latter NASB).

PART 2

1. Who are Paul's readers?

2. What reminder does Paul give to his readers in verse 11 and 12? Is it similar to verses 1-3?

3. For us Gentile Christians, what does it state about our former state?

4. How does the great message of verse 13 begin?

5. What is the verb in verse 13? What tense is it? What does it mean?

6. Who is the "New Man" of verse 15?

7. What is ironic about those who were "near" and "far."

8. Based on verse 18, does Paul have teach a Trinitarian view?

9. What is so great about verse 18 that we often overlook?

10. How does verse 19 connect with Peter's opening remark in 1 Peter 1:1?

11. What is a cornerstone?

12. What is the difference between the O.T. temple and the New Temple Paul is talking about?