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born in sins", again the preposition en is used. But the preposition en does not occur in
Eph. 2: 1 or 5. The words "trespasses" and "sins" are in the dative case; and while this
case does express the idea of "rest in", it also expresses the ideas conveyed by the words,
"by", "to", "with", etc. Who is to decide, therefore, the true translation of such an
important passage as Eph. 2: 1 undoubtedly is? In the absence of the preposition en can
we be sure that one of the other shades of meaning is not intended? Fortunately the
matter is settled by the occurrence of the same phenomenon in other passages. We
therefore present no argument other than the consistent usage of the N.T. Greek,
confirmed by the translation of the A.V. itself:--
"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" (Rom. 7: 4; Gal. 2: 19).
"Dead TO SINS" (I Pet. 2: 24).
Can we substitute the words "in sin" or "in sins" in these passages? Could we
translate Rom. 6: 2: "How shall we, that are dead in sin, live any longer therein?"
without nullifying the whole argument? How could we introduce the words, in sin, into
Rom. 6: 10 without approaching blasphemy, and denying the very basis of all our faith?
The Lord died to sin; this is the glory of the teaching of Rom. 6:
(To be concluded).
#25. BEWARE. (Concluded).
"Dead to sins" and "Uncircumcision of the flesh" (2: 13).
pp. 113, 114
The passage quoted from I Pet. 2: 24 has much in common with Eph. 2: 1, for in
this reference the word "sin" is in the plural. We have, therefore, a test passage. The
verb in Peter is in the perfect tense and we translate the passage as follows:--
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to
sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed."
Here it is evident that it is not man's state by nature that is in view, but his state by
grace, consequent on the fact that the Lord has borne his sins. And the end in view is that
he may live unto God. Resurrection life following upon death to sin is the burning theme
of every passage quoted above. And this is also true of Eph. 2: 1 and 5. The manner of
life in the past is contrasted with the new life now begun--a new life expressed in the
words, "Quickened together with Christ".
With the true translation of Eph. 2: 1 and 5 before us, we now return to Col. 2: 13,
where the same construction occurs:--