"Against the somber background of our world today
Ephesians 2:1-10 stands out in striking relevance. Paul first plumbs the depths
of pessimism about man, and then rises to the heights of optimism about God. It
is this combination of pessimism and optimism, of despair and faith, which
constitutes the refreshing realism of the Bible. For what Paul does in this
passage is to paint a vivid contrast between what man is by nature and what he
can become by grace." -John R. W. Stott
