Who are sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2)?

Sons are those who reproduce the typical or distinctive traits of their fathers, and this sense of parental representation is often used in moral matters. Thus, the "sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2) are those whose conduct displays disobedience as definitely as a son resembles a father. Barnabas exhibited the features of consolation so clearly that he was called the "son of consolation" (Acts 4:36). The Lord said that the Jews were of their "father, the devil," because they did his lusts and his deeds, showing their moral origin (John 8:41-45).

Sons are those who reproduce the typical or distinctive traits of their fathers, and this sense of parental representation is often used in moral matters. Thus, the “sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2) are those whose conduct displays disobedience as definitely as a son resembles a father. Barnabas exhibited the features of consolation so clearly that he was called “the son of consolation “(Acts 4:36). The Lord said that the Jews were of their “father, the devil," because they did his lusts and his deeds showing thereby their moral origin (John 8:41-45).

As to the general drift of the verse, little further need be said. Men maybe, and are by themselves distinguished, as being characteristically sensuous or intellectual. But in the eye of the Spirit, the higher and lower qualities of nature are brought to a common moral level. Intellectual pride (which is also spiritual ignorance), is no less offensive to God than licentious wickedness. So long as the bias of human inclination leads men, as it does, away from God, the particular direction followed is, in one sense, immaterial. Taste, or the power of association or example, leads men in a vast variety of ways. But the common stamp borne by all natural action, is that of a presumed independency of will. Men please themselves, and by so doing displease God, who calls for every man's obedience, both of. heart and hand. Accordingly, the first articulate confession of the new-born people of God is a recognition of this truth: "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way" (Isa. 53:6). To determine, therefore, what is comprehended under the opprobrious term, "children of disobedience," we have only to ask ourselves, what is obedience? And seeing, that to work the work of God is to believe in Him whom He has sent (John 6:29), it is plain that no other obedience is real but that of saving faith in Jesus. The moral excellencies, therefore, and fair-showing comeliness, which nature many times puts on, are not less certainly comprised in the picture here presented of the course of this world, than the outward depravity, which is so abundantly visible upon the general surface of society. And because a course of conduct, which results from the acting of Satanic influence upon a naturally alien will, must be a standing provocation of the Divine judgment, the conclusion at which the Apostle arrives, that all men are by nature "children of wrath," is as obvious and irresistible as it is terrible in its bearing on a Christless world.*

Other instances of the use of this term, but in awful contrast to what has just been stated, may here be noticed. Scripture writes of those who refuse the gospel of God's grace as "sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2; 5:6). They were, in common with all of us, "by nature children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3). They are known by their rejection of the Gospel as "sons of disobedience" having refused to obey it. Judas Iscariot and Antichrist are respectively termed the "son of perdition" (John 17:12; 2 Thess. 2:3), The tares are designated as "sons of the wicked one" (Matt. 13:38). Bar-jesus, the sorcerer, was addressed as "son of the devil" (Acts 13:10); and the Lord termed the proselytes of the hypocritical Pharisees sons of hell — or, rather, "of Gehenna" (Matt. 23:15). Each and all of these openly evidence by their ways what they are, and whither they are going.

(V. 6). We are warned not to be deceived with vain words. Evidently, then, men with their philosophy and science will excuse lust and seek to throw a glamour of poetry and romance over sin in order to give it an attractive appearance. Nevertheless, because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience. “The sons of disobedience” are those who have heard the truth, but have rejected it. In a special way the Jews in Paul's day were, as a class, the sons of disobedience, but it is fast becoming true of Christendom. Men will, however, be judged for their wicked deeds, though the crowning sin will be disobedience to the Gospel.

Eph. 2:2. Satan, "the ruler of the authority of the air," is the spirit who now works in (energizes) the sons of disobedience. This agrees with the words of the Lord Jesus, John 8:44, "Ye are of the devil as your father, and the lusts of your father ye desire to do." Satan works this desire in those who, by their wilful wickedness, have earned the name of "sons of disobedience."

They could do nothing for themselves. Their state was one of spiritual death, and their walk according to the course of this world, the only way they naturally knew. It was also according to the prince of the power of the air for Satan has usurped authority and has so completely corrupted people's minds by sin that they can see nothing else because they are sons of disobedience (v.2): their nature has been formed in that way. Therefore it is natural for even the world's "best" characters to have no living relationship to God. The expression "prince of the power of the air" indicates that the very atmosphere of mankind's existence has been polluted through giving in to Satan, as was true of Adam and Eve. Satan's evil influence has corrupted every area of human life.

Verses 1-3. The Gentiles were by sin morally there where Christ actually and outwardly placed Himself for sin; they were dead in their trespasses and in their sins. There they were walking according to the course of this world, floating with the stream according to the powerful and universal influence of Satan, who penetrates everywhere and reigns over everything, like the air, which is his seat; they were walking according to this spirit which is now working in the children of disobedience, in those who still continue far off from the deliverance wrought by the Lord.

The application of this solemn doctrine to the existing course of things is easily seen. "The children of disobedience" are opposed, in the present description, to those who, through the obedience of faith, have been manifested as the children of God. As the Holy Ghost dwells and works in. the latter, so the spirit of evil works in and governs the former. Man is not recognized, in the light of the Gospel, as an independent agent. Whatever is done here below, is wrought at the instigation either of the Spirit of God, or some spirit which is not of God. Many such are in the world (1 John 4); but there is one to whom an evil pre-eminence is given. It is he, therefore, who is here said to work all evil through his ministers, who are numerous and active. The mysteries of darkness are as little comprehensible by our present capacities, as the opposite mysteries of light and glory. While ourselves in the body, we are not competent to measure spiritual things. But we know them when revealed to us as truths. And well it is that Christians should remember, that the testimony of the Holy Ghost as to the existence and power of Satan, as the ruler of this present world, is not less distinct and positive than that which He renders to the Anointed Captain of Salvation, who has destroyed, for the believer, both the devil and his works (Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8).

We do not have an account of our actions only here, we are left in no doubt about our state, that is, not only what we have done but what we were is clearly stated in these verses. "The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience". Satan acquired his power over men through disobedience, and he holds that power over them today because they are still in a state of disobedience. Once obedience to God is produced in any one of us, the power of Satan over us is broken.