Why do people sin naturally according to Ephesians 2:3?
According to Ephesians 2:3, people sin naturally because they are children of Adam, sharing in Adam’s disobedience. Being spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, they follow the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air, obeying the desires of the flesh and mind by nature.
Les teaches from Ephesians 2:1–3 that the people Paul describes were dead in trespasses and sins, meaning without spiritual life, not physically dead, since they were still walking in the flesh. In times past they walked according to the course of this world and the prince of the power of the air, the spirit working in the children of disobedience. Les identifies these as children of Adam, who disobeyed by virtue of Adam’s disobedience. Verse 3 says all had their manner of living in the desires of the flesh and mind and were by nature, naturally. Les illustrates this with even sweet two-year-olds: they sin just as soon as they can, because they are children of Adam. He says humanity are practitioners of the things of this world, desiring the lusts and pleasures of life because it comes naturally, like the old song “Doing what comes naturally,” giving in to natural inclinations.
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.
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What does 'by nature' mean in Ephesians 2:3?
Paul's phrase 'by nature' in Ephesians 2:3 means doing what comes naturally.