Ephesians 2-3

New International Version

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(A) 2} in which you used to live^(B) when you followed the ways of this world^(C) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(D) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(E) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(F) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](G) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(H) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions^(I)—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(J) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(K) and seated us with him^(L) in the heavenly realms^(M) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,^(N) expressed in his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(P) you have been saved,^(Q) through faith^(R)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(S) so that no one can boast.^{(T) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(U) created^(V) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(W) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(X) 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)^(Y)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(Z) to the covenants of the promise,^(AA) without hope^(AB) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(AC) were far away have been brought near^(AD) by the blood of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(AF) who has made the two groups one^(AG) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(AH) the law with its commands and regulations.^(AI) His purpose was to create in himself one^(AJ) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(AK) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(AL) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(AM) 18} For through him we both have access^(AN) to the Father^(AO) by one Spirit.^(AP)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(AQ) but fellow citizens^(AR) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(AS) 20} built^(AT) on the foundation^(AU) of the apostles and prophets,^(AV) with Christ Jesus himself^(AW) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AX) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AY) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AZ)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(BA) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(BB) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(BC) made known to me by revelation,^(BD) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(BE) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(BF) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(BG) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(BH) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(BI)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(BJ) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(BK) through the working of his power.^{(BL) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(BM) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(BN) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(BO) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(BP) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(BQ) should be made known^(BR) to the rulers and authorities^(BS) in the heavenly realms,^{(BT) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(BU) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(BV) with freedom and confidence.^{(BW) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(BX) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[b] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(BY) he may strengthen you with power^(BZ) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(CA) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(CB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(CC) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(CD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(CE) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(CF)—that you may be filled^(CG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(CH)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(CI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(CJ) or imagine, according to his power^(CK) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(CL)