What does Ephesians 2:6 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 2:6 is situated within a passage that provides insight into the spiritual transformation that occurs for believers in Jesus Christ.

The "us" referenced in the verse primarily denotes the community of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, who are part of the early Christian church.

The verse suggests that those who have faith in Christ not only experience a resurrection from their former state of spiritual deadness but are also exalted to a position of honor and authority alongside Christ.

It points to a spiritual reality where believers are envisioned as already participating in Christ's resurrection and ascension, enjoying a position of privilege and intimacy with God.

The phrase "raised us up together" denotes the collective spiritual resurrection of believers, emphasizing the communal aspect of salvation.

"Made us sit together" further implies a shared elevation to a place of honor.

The mention of "heavenly places in Christ Jesus" speaks to a spiritual realm where Jesus reigns and suggests that, through union with Christ, believers share in his triumph over sin and death and partake in his sovereign rule.

Historical Context

Ephesians was likely written by the Apostle Paul around the 60s A.D. while he was in prison.

The letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus, a prominent city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) known for its cultural diversity and influence.

During this time, the early Christian church was grappling with its identity and mission, particularly regarding the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Jewish believers.

This verse reflects the early church’s effort to provide theological understanding for the unity and spiritual status of its diverse members in Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural barriers.

Theological Insights

The verse provides significant theological insights:

• It highlights the corporate nature of salvation, indicating that believers' spiritual experiences are interconnected.
• It manifests the "already/not yet" tension found in the New Testament: believers are already raised with Christ in a spiritual sense but have not yet experienced its full physical reality.
• It addresses the concept of theosis or deification in Christian theology, the belief that believers partake in the divine nature through Christ.
• It points to the dominion and sovereignty of Christ, with believers sharing in his reign even before the eschatological fulfillment.

Different theological traditions interpret this verse distinctively:

• Catholics may emphasize the verse as part of the mystical union with Christ that is experienced through the sacraments.
• Protestants might emphasize the grace aspect, that believers are given a status they do not deserve due to God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Eastern Orthodox theology might stress the verse in conjunction with theosis, where humans can become partakers of the divine nature.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can:

• Encourage believers with the assurance of their exalted status with Christ, which can foster hope amid circumstances that may suggest otherwise.
• Motivate Christians to live a life worthy of their calling, recognizing that they are seated with Christ.
• Provide comfort in the knowledge that spiritual authority is shared with Christ, giving strength to overcome spiritual battles.
• Influence a communal perspective among Christians, recognizing that they are not only individually raised with Christ but also corporately.

Cross-References

• Romans 6:4-5: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
• Colossians 2:12: "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
• Colossians 3:1: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek language of this verse include:

• "συνήγειρεν" (synegeiren): translated as "raised us up together," which is a compound of "syn" (together with) and "egeiro" (to raise up), implying a collective resurrection.
• "συνεκάθισεν" (synekathisen): translated as "made us sit together," from "syn" (together with) and "kathizo" (to seat), indicating joint ennoblement or honor.
• "ἐπουρανίοις" (epouraniois): translated as "heavenly places," a term used to describe the spiritual realm of God's presence and activity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

There are parallels in other ancient myths and religions where figures are exalted to divine status or heavenly realms, such as:

• The assumption of heroes into the pantheon in Greek mythology.
• Ascension tales in various religious traditions, such as the ascent of Elijah in the Hebrew Bible, or the Merkabah mysticism in later Jewish texts.
• The pharaoh's association with divinities and assumed ascension into the heavens in Egyptian religion.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the "heavenly places" are not locatable in the physical universe but represent a theological and metaphysical concept.

Science generally does not engage with or validate spiritual phenomena or supernatural claims, as they fall outside the scope of empirical measurement.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer varied perspectives on Ephesians 2:6:

• Some suggest that Paul is using this language to counter the prevailing Ephesian cultural values, which placed emphasis on status and power, suggesting a new kind of exaltation found in Jesus Christ.
• Others focus on the implications for the church as a community, understanding the verse as a call for unity in Christ despite different backgrounds and social standings.
• There is also discussion about the paradox of the "already/not yet" status of believers, reflecting on how this affects the Christian's practical living and eschatological hope.