2:6 together. In Christ we all are “quickened” (Ephesians 2:5), “raised up,” and “made [to] sit” together. These great truths are so certain to be accomplished that they are expressed in the past tense.

2:7 ages to come. There is, indeed, despite the taunts of skeptics and materialists, “pie in the sky, by and by!” “All that is in the world…passeth away” (I John 2:16-17). In the ages to come, however, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Note also II Corinthians 4:17; Ephesians 3:21; Hebrews 11:25-26; Revelation 21:4).

2:8 that. This classic gospel verse stresses that even the faith through which we receive God’s salvation is the free gift of God. We have nothing of which to boast (Ephesians 2:9).

2:10 workmanship. See on Romans 1:20, in which poiema, here translated “workmanship,” is translated “things that are made,” these being the only two occurrences of this Greek word from which we get our English word “poem.” Thus, both the created world and the redeemed world are great divine “poems” written by the Creator!

2:10 created. As “a new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17), our new nature is specially “created” by God to live a life characterized by “good works” instead of by “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” (Ephesians 2:3).