EPH 2:11-18

One in Christ

11Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh — called uncircumcision by the so-called circumcision in the flesh made by hands —

12that you were at that very time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and godless in the world;

13now however in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.

14For he himself is our peace, the one having made both one and having broken down the middle wall of the fence, the hostility, in his flesh,

15having annulled the law of commandments in ordinances, so that the two he may create in himself into one new man, making peace,

16and may reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the hostility by it.

17And having come, he proclaimed peace as good news to you the ones far off and peace to those near,

18for through him we both have access, in one Spirit, to the Father.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, the distinction between Jews and Gentiles was deeply entrenched in both religious and social life. Jews, marked by circumcision, viewed themselves as the chosen people of God, part of the 'commonwealth of Israel' , a term evoking citizenship with its privileges and responsibilities. Gentiles, by contrast, were 'the uncircumcision,' outsiders to the covenants and promises, often perceived as 'godless' , not merely lacking belief but abandoned by divine favor. This division was reinforced by physical and cultural barriers, such as the temple's separating wall in Jerusalem. For Gentile listeners, this passage would resonate with their experience of exclusion and alienation. The declaration that Christ has 'broken down the dividing wall' and made peace would have been radical, suggesting a new, inclusive identity grounded in Christ’s blood. The term 'brought near' evoked the imagery of being introduced into a royal court, a profound shift from outsider to insider status.

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How other translations render this

EPH 2:11

KJV: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
BSB: Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
Koinōnos: Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh — called uncircumcision by the so-called circumcision in the flesh made by hands —

EPH 2:12

KJV: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
BSB: remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Koinōnos: that you were at that very time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and godless in the world;

EPH 2:13

KJV: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
BSB: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Koinōnos: now however in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.

EPH 2:14

KJV: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
BSB: For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility
Koinōnos: For he himself is our peace, the one having made both one and having broken down the middle wall of the fence, the hostility, in his flesh,

EPH 2:15

KJV: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
BSB: by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace
Koinōnos: having annulled the law of commandments in ordinances, so that the two he may create in himself into one new man, making peace,

EPH 2:16

KJV: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
BSB: and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.
Koinōnos: and may reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the hostility by it.

EPH 2:17

KJV: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
BSB: He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
Koinōnos: And having come, he proclaimed peace as good news to you the ones far off and peace to those near,

EPH 2:18

KJV: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
BSB: For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Koinōnos: for through him we both have access, in one Spirit, to the Father.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

EPH 2:11

Gentiles:The word translated 'Gentiles' referred to all non-Jewish peoples, often carrying a sense of being outside of God's covenant and promises to Israel.

EPH 2:12

from the:The term used here, translated as 'citizenship,' referred to the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a member of a particular city or state, like a Roman citizen.
and:The word translated 'without God' literally means 'godless' or 'atheist,' indicating a state of being without any god or divine connection.

EPH 2:18

access:The word translated 'access' often referred to the privilege of being brought into the presence of a king or high official, implying a special introduction and permission.