First let us observe that there is no word `in' (en) in the original; that

is supplied by the translators because of the presence of the dative case.

There is no reticence noticeable elsewhere on the part of the apostle in his

employment of the preposition en `in'.  Wherever its use is needed, the

preposition is employed, and that repeatedly.  It occurs twenty-eight times in

the first chapter of Ephesians, and is translated `at', `with', `in' and

`wherein', and twenty-eight times in the second chapter, where it is translated

`in', `among', `through', `at', `by', `wherein' and `thereby'.

The fact that Paul uses this preposition so frequently, when set over

against its absence from Ephesians 2:1 and 5, is important.  When the doctrine,

being dead in sins is being stated in Scripture the preposition en is used (John

8:21,24 and 1 Cor. 15:17).  The only warrant for supplying a preposition where

it is not actually used is the presence of the dative case, and this is often

done by adding `to' or `at' and in some cases by `in'.  The dative case is the

`giving' case, for when we say `give me the book' we really mean `give to me the

book'.  This is the one employed in Ephesians 2:1.  We are, however, not left to

our own devices here, there is complete evidence in the apostle's own writing to

show that he was telling the Ephesian believers that they were dead to

trespasses and sins, not dead in them.  Here are some examples of the usage of

the dative case in connection with death and sin.

`We, that are dead to sin' (Rom. 6:2).

`He died unto sin' (Rom. 6:10).

`Dead indeed unto sin' (Rom. 6:11).

`Dead to the law' (Gal. 2:19).

`Dead to sins' (1 Pet. 2:24).

To this list we add Ephesians 2:1, reading:

`Dead to trespasses and sins'.

Let us, for the sake of the truth, endure the horror that the following

translations must inspire in any grace-taught heart.  If the A.V. of Ephesians

2:1 be accepted as the truth, then let us read:

`How shall we that are dead in sin, live any longer therein'.

Is there sense, let alone doctrinal truth, in such a rendering?

shall we read:

`For in that He died, He died in sin once'.

We cannot conceive of anything more shocking than such a statement, and we are

sure every reader repudiates it with horror:

`Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed in sin'.

Alas, we have no need for such reckoning, our natural condition is most evident

but how can the believer, looking at His Lord, say `likewise I will reckon

myself to be dead in sin'.  Surely the only translation that is true is as the

A.V. gives it.  The context of Peter's reference to `being dead to sins'

illuminates the expression.  He tells us that Christ's sufferings leave us a

`copy' (hupogrammos, a copy set for a pupil) with the object that we may

`follow His steps', `that we, being dead to sins, should live unto