Ephesians 2
2
Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh#2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
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Ephesians 2
2
God’s Power Raised Us from the Dead
1And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, # 2:1 As translated literally from the Greek. dead in your sins and offenses. 2It wasn’t that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values # 2:2 The Aramaic can be translated “the worldliness of this world.” of this world, # 2:2 The Aramaic phrase can also refer to the authority of secular governments. obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. 3The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self-life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God’s wrath like everyone else.
4But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. 5Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! 6He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated # 2:6 To be “placed” or “seated” in heaven means we have been given the perfection and authority to be there. as one with Christ!
7Throughout the coming ages # 2:7 The Aramaic can be translated “universes.” we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. 8For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift # 2:8 The Aramaic word for “gift” is mohabata and comes from the Aramaic word chav, which means “love.” from God that brought us to Christ! 9So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.
10We have become his poetry, # 2:10 The beautiful Greek word used here is translated “poem” or “poetry.” Our lives are the beautiful poetry written by God that will speak forth all that he desires in life. a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works # 2:10 Although implied, these good works make up our destiny. As we yield to God, our prearranged destiny comes to pass and we are rewarded for simply doing what he wanted us to accomplish. we would do to fulfill it!
A New Humanity
11-12So don’t forget that you were not born as Jews and were uncircumcised (circumcision itself is just a work of man’s hands); you had none of the Jewish covenants and laws; you were foreigners to Israel’s incredible heritage; # 2:11–12 Or “freedom,” or “commonwealth.” you were without the covenants and prophetic promises of the Messiah, the promised hope, and without God.
13Yet look at you now! Everything is new! Although you were once distant and far away from God, now you have been brought delightfully close to him through the sacred blood of Jesus—you have actually been united to Christ!
14Our reconciling “Peace” is Jesus! He has made Jew and non-Jew one in Christ. By dying as our sacrifice, he has broken down every wall of prejudice that separated us and has now made us equal through our union with Christ. 15Ethnic hatred has been dissolved by the crucifixion of his precious body on the cross. The legal code that stood condemning every one of us has now been repealed by his command. His triune essence has made peace between us by starting over—forming # 2:15 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “to create in himself one new man.” one new race of humanity, # 2:15 Or “one new man.” Jews and non-Jews fused together in himself!
16Two have now become one, and we live restored to God and reconciled in the body of Christ. Through his crucifixion, hatred died. 17For the Messiah has come to preach this sweet message of peace to you, # 2:17 This is Paul’s paraphrase of Isa. 57:19. the ones who were distant, and to those who are near. 18And now, because we are united to Christ, we both have equal and direct access in the realm of the Holy Spirit to come before the Father!
19So, you are not foreigners or guests, but rather you are the children of the city of the holy ones, # 2:19 As translated from the Aramaic. with all the rights as family members of the household of God. 20You are rising like the perfectly fitted stones of the temple; # 2:20 The “temple” is not found in the text here, but is explicitly mentioned in v. 21. and your lives have been built up together upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, and best of all, you are connected to the Head Cornerstone of the building, the Anointed One, Jesus Christ himself!
21This entire building is under construction and is continually growing under his supervision until it rises up completed as the holy temple of the Lord himself. 22This means that God is transforming each one of you into the Holy of Holies, his dwelling place, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in you!
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