“1. The word “nature” (Ephesians 2:3) can at times describe a man’s God-given constitution (Romans 1:26, 31; 2:14, 27; 2 Timothy 3:3). It must be kept in mind that our constitution is just dirt and is created by God; and therefore, our constitution cannot be sinful in of itself.
2. The phrase “by nature” (Ephesians 2:3) does not always mean “by birth” but can at times mean “by custom or habit.” Otherwise, Paul would have taught that the Gentiles were born sinners but the Jews were not. Paul said, “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners” (Galatians 2:15; some translate birth as nature is his point). The word nature can describe a man’s self chosen character, custom, habit, or manner of life (Jeremiah 13:23; Acts 26:4; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 2:14-15; Ephesians 2:2-3; 2 Timothy 3:10; 2 Peter 1:4). This is voluntary and has to do with the heart. Therefore, moral character or sinfulness can belong to this type of voluntary and chosen nature.
3. The context of this particular passage is talking about a former manner of life. Paul is addressing a previous lifestyle. He said “in which you once walked” (v.2) and “once lived” (v.3). The natural man is the same as the carnally minded (Romans 8:6-7). It is someone who lives for the gratification of their flesh. To say that a person is by nature a child of wrath is the same as saying that they are under the wrath of God because they are living for the gratification of their flesh. Through free choice, men create a habit of self-indulgence.
4. To say that they are “sons of disobedience” (v. 2; 5:6) and to say they are “by nature children of wrath” is essentially the same thing. Disobedience is a choice of the will. Those who choose to disobey God are misusing and abusing their natures. Those who choose to disobey God are rightfully under His wrath.
5. That which brings the “wrath” (v. 3) of God is voluntary moral character, not involuntary constitutions. God is not angry with men for possessing the nature which He Himself created with them. God is angry with sinners because of how they have chosen to use their nature that He has given them by transgressing His just laws (1 John 3:4). God is angry with the wicked (Psalm 7:11) because the wicked do wicked deeds (Psalm 7:14). God is angry with sinners because of their sinful choices and sinful habits.
6. A sinful nature is moral not physical. Jesus had a nature like ours (Hebrews 2:14; 5:7-10) yet Jesus never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). A sinful nature is a person’s self-chosen character and not his God-given constitution. A man’s heart or will can be sinful, a man’s constitution or body can only be an occasion of temptation. Through continual choices of self-gratification, man has developed a habit of sin. Jesus was born with flesh just like we have and He was tempted in His flesh but He never sinned by giving in to temptation. If we choose to sin, we are choosing to use our God-given nature to rebel against God. This is what meant by sinful nature and not that merely being a human means that we are guilty of sin just by our constitutional makeup.”
Source: The Seeking Disciple, Interesting Take on Ephesians 2:3 (Arminiantoday; emphasis mine; Galatians 2:16 changed to Galatians 2:15, as this was a typo.)
(It should be noted that this is not the Arminian view but rather the Moral Government view.)
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