Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2

From Death to Life

1You were dead through the trespasses and sins

2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.[#Eph 5.6; 6.12; #2.2 Gk according to the aeon; #2.2 Gk sons of disobedience]

3All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else,[#Rom 2.14; 5.12; Gal 5.16, 17]

4but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us[#Rom 10.12]

5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[#2.5 Other ancient authorities read in Christ]

6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,[#2.6 Gk heavenlies]

7so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—

9not the result of works, so that no one may boast.

10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.[#Eph 4.24; Titus 2.14]

One in Christ

11So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands—[#Rom 2.28; Col 2.11; #2.11 Gk in the flesh]

12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.[#Gal 4.8; 1 Thess 4.5]

13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.[#Acts 2.39; Col 1.20]

14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us,[#1 Cor 12.13; Col 3.15]

15abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace,[#Gal 6.15; Col 1.21, 22]

16and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.[#Col 1.20, 22; #2.16 Or reconcile both of us in one body for God; #2.16 Or in him or in himself]

17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,

18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.[#1 Cor 12.13; Eph 3.12; Col 1.12]

19So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,[#Gal 6.10; Phil 3.20]

20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone;[#Mt 16.18; Rev 21.14; #2.20 Or keystone (in an arch)]

21in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord,[#1 Cor 3.16, 17]

22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.[#2.22 Gk in the Spirit]

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ