Answer
In Ephesians 2:1–2, the apostle Paul reminds believers that we were hopeless and helpless without Christ: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (ESV).
To fully comprehend the meaning of the phrase sons of disobedience, we should also look at the meaning of the phrase prince of the power of the air. The “prince” is none other than Satan, the principal adversary of God. Satan’s dominion over the “power of the air” suggests that his influence extends into the physical and spiritual realms. Just as the air surrounds and permeates everything on earth, so, too, does Satan’s influence touch every aspect of human existence, reminding us of the ongoing spiritual battle between ourselves and demonic forces (see Ephesians 6:12).
The phrase sons of disobedience parallels other biblical expressions. Luke 16:8 speaks of “sons of this world” in contrast to “sons of light,” highlighting the divide between those who embrace the light of God’s truth and those who do “not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:20, ESV). Sons and daughters of disobedience, then, are those who have chosen to unrighteously suppress the truth of God (Romans 1:18). This is not a matter of occasional sin but a willful rejection of God’s sovereign authority in their lives, placing them under the tyrannical rule of Satan.
When we were sons and daughters of disobedience, we “were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” and subject to God’s condemnation (Ephesians 2:3, ESV; cf. Psalm 51:5). God, however, rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In doing so, He has brought us “from death to life . . . as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13, ESV).
So, although Ephesians 2:2 paints a sobering portrait of fallen humanity, there is hope! In Ephesians 2:4–10, Paul contrasts the hopeless state of unbelievers with God’s incredible grace and mercy. In Christ, we transition from being sons and daughters of disobedience to being seated “with him in the heavenly places . . . so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us” (Ephesians 2:6–7, ESV).
Although we did not deserve it, God chose to save us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV). Not only did the grace of God deliver us from the penalty and power of sin, but it also “made us alive together with Christ” (verse 5). In Him, we have been born again (John 1:12–13; 3:3, 5), becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This radical transformation is not an aesthetic or cosmetic change. Instead, it is a complete renewal of heart and mind. We were sons and daughters of disobedience. Now, we are sons and daughters of God (2 Corinthians 6:18) and “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4, ESV).
In Roman society, adoption was a legal process whereby the adopted child gained all the rights and privileges of a natural-born child. Similarly, through faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family, becoming “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17, ESV). Therefore, we are called to walk in good works, reflecting the holiness of God in our lives (1 Peter 1:16).
