What does Ephesians 2:5 mean?
We do not make ourselves alive; God does. Our sins completely separate us from God, both spiritually, and in our eternal destiny. And yet, the trespasses which Paul mentioned in verse 1, which make us "dead," were not enough to stop God from making us alive. Interestingly, we are made alive "together with Christ." This includes the idea again that Jesus is alive; He is risen from the dead and reigns at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20).Colossian 2:13 offers similar words: "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses." Becoming alive involves forgiveness. The last part of this verse adds another reference to the fact that our salvation is purely owed to God's grace. Paul's readers were already saved Christians. This salvation took place by God's grace, something Paul sought to remind them of so they would remain in a state of thanksgiving and live fully devoted to the Lord.