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.
Study Note
Study Note
The description of the pre-conversion state as living 'in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind' extends the scope of the problem from behavior to nature. The phrase 'children of wrath by nature' (tekna physei orgēs) has been a central text in the Augustinian doctrine of original sin and the inherited fallenness of human nature. Importantly, the 'we' of verse 3 includes Jewish believers alongside the Gentiles of verse 2, refusing any ethnic exemption from the universal condition of fallenness. The dramatic 'but God' of verse 4 — introducing mercy and love as the divine response to wrath-deserving nature — is one of the great theological reversals in Pauline literature.
Other Translations
among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:—
among whom also we all did walk once in the desires of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath--as also the others,
Among whom we all at one time were living in the pleasures of our flesh, giving way to the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and the punishment of God was waiting for us even as for the rest.
Cross References
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou …
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do …
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath …
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we …
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but …
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, …
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the …
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness …