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Ephesians 2

World English Bible

WEB

1You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. 3We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. 11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands), 12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, 15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, 20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Ephesians Chapter 2 begins with a powerful reminder of our former state before coming to faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul describes how we were once dead in our transgressions and sins, following the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, which refers to #Satan. This state of spiritual death is characterized by disobedience and a life lived in accordance with the desires of the flesh. However, Paul emphasizes that God, in His great mercy and love, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our sins. This act of grace is a central theme, highlighting that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through our own efforts (#grace, #salvation).

The chapter continues to elaborate on the transformative power of God's grace, stating that we are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from ourselves; it is the gift of God. Paul stresses that we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Furthermore, he addresses the unity of believers, both Jew and Gentile, emphasizing that through Christ, the dividing wall of hostility has been broken down. In Christ, we are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. This chapter beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, focusing on the themes of grace, unity, and our new identity in Christ.

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Numbers 15:15v11Numbers 15:15 establishes that there is one law for both the native-born and the foreigner residing among the Israelites. Ephesians 2:11-13 speaks of how Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, making them one in Him.
  2. Deuteronomy 9:5v8Deuteronomy 9:5 emphasizes that Israel's possession of the land is not due to their righteousness but God's promise. Ephesians 2:8-9 similarly teaches that salvation is by grace, not by works.
  3. Psalms 57:10v4Psalm 57:10 highlights God's great love and faithfulness, which is echoed in Ephesians 2:4-5, where God's rich mercy and great love are emphasized in the context of salvation.
  4. Psalms 86:13v4Psalm 86:13 speaks of God's great love and deliverance from the depths, which is mirrored in Ephesians 2:4-5, where God's love and mercy bring believers from death to life.
  5. Psalms 139:16v10Psalm 139:16 mentions God's knowledge of all the days ordained for the psalmist, which aligns with Ephesians 2:10, where believers are described as God's workmanship, created for good works prepared in advance.
  6. Isaiah 57:19v17Isaiah 57:19 speaks of peace to those far and near, echoed in Ephesians 2:17 where Christ preaches peace to both Jews and Gentiles.
  7. Micah 5:5v14Micah 5:5 speaks of the Messiah as the one who will bring peace. Ephesians 2:14 echoes this by describing Christ as our peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.
  8. Zechariah 2:11v13Zechariah 2:11 speaks of many nations joining themselves to the Lord, which is fulfilled in Ephesians 2:13-14 where Paul describes how Christ has broken down the dividing wall, bringing Gentiles near to God.
  9. Zechariah 11:10v14Zechariah 11:10 speaks of breaking the staff called Favor, symbolizing the breaking of the covenant. Ephesians 2:14 describes how Christ is our peace, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility, establishing a new covenant of peace.
  10. Matthew 16:18v20Matthew 16:18 speaks of Peter as the rock on which Jesus will build His church. Ephesians 2:20 describes the church as built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.
  11. Luke 15:24v1The prodigal son being 'dead and is alive again' in Luke 15:24 parallels the spiritual resurrection described in Ephesians 2:1-5, where believers are made alive with Christ.
  12. John 10:16v14In John 10:16, Jesus speaks of other sheep not of this fold, indicating the inclusion of Gentiles. Ephesians 2:14-16 elaborates on this by describing how Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity.
  13. Acts 15:7-11v8In Acts 15:7-11, Peter emphasizes salvation through grace, not the law, which aligns with Ephesians 2:8-9 where Paul states that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
  14. Romans 5:1v14Romans 5:1 speaks of being justified by faith and having peace with God through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:14-18 expands on this by describing Christ as our peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, reconciling us to God.
  15. 1 Corinthians 3:11v201 Corinthians 3:11 emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the only foundation, which aligns with Ephesians 2:20 where Christ is described as the cornerstone of the church.
  16. Philippians 2:13v10Philippians 2:13 speaks of God working in believers to will and act according to His purpose. Ephesians 2:10 describes believers as God's workmanship, created for good works, emphasizing divine empowerment.
  17. Philippians 3:20v19Philippians 3:20 states that our citizenship is in heaven, which is echoed in Ephesians 2:19 where believers are described as fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.
  18. Colossians 1:20v14Colossians 1:20 speaks of Christ reconciling all things to Himself through His blood, shed on the cross, which is similar to Ephesians 2:14-16 where Christ is described as our peace, having reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God through the cross.
  19. Colossians 2:14v15Colossians 2:14 describes the cancellation of the written code against us, which is similar to Ephesians 2:15 where Christ abolishes the law of commandments in ordinances, creating peace.
  20. Colossians 3:1v6Colossians 3:1 speaks of being raised with Christ, which is also mentioned in Ephesians 2:6, where believers are described as being raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms.
  21. 2 Timothy 1:9v82 Timothy 1:9 speaks of God saving us and calling us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His purpose and grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 similarly emphasizes salvation by grace through faith, not by works, highlighting God's initiative in salvation.
  22. Titus 2:11v8Titus 2:11 speaks of the grace of God bringing salvation to all people, which is echoed in Ephesians 2:8-9 where salvation is described as a gift of grace through faith.
  23. Titus 3:3v1Titus 3:3 describes the former state of believers as foolish, disobedient, and enslaved to passions, similar to Ephesians 2:1-3, which describes being dead in trespasses and sins and following the ways of the world.
  24. Titus 3:5v8Titus 3:5 emphasizes that salvation is not by works of righteousness but according to God's mercy, paralleling Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.
  25. James 2:17v10James 2:17 states that faith without works is dead. Ephesians 2:10 complements this by explaining that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for them to walk in.

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