Ephesians 2

1 Formerly, because you were habitually sinning [DOU], you were ([spiritually] dead/[as unable to please God as a] corpse [MET] is).

And you being dead in the trespasses and in the sins (of you, *no*)

2 You were acting in the same [evil] way as those who oppose Christ [MTY] act. That is, you were behaving in the [evil] ways [that Satan wanted you to behave]. He rules over evil spiritual beings that no person can see [MTY]. He is the spirit who now powerfully controls the people who disobey God. (aiōn g165)

in which once you walked according to the age world of this, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, (aiōn g165)

3 Formerly, we all used to disobey God as they do. We did the things that our self-centered nature wanted us to do. We habitually did those [evil] deeds that our bodies and our minds wanted to do. When we were acting like that, it was certain that [God] would punish [MTY] us, just like he will certainly punish all other [evil people].

among whom also we ourselves all lived once in the desires of the flesh of us doing the things willed of the flesh and of [its] thoughts and (we were *N(k)O*) children by nature of wrath as even the rest.

4 But God always acts very mercifully, and he loves us very much.

But God rich being in mercy because of the great love of Him with which He loved us,

5 As a result, even when we were ([spiritually] dead/[as unable to please God as] a corpse [MET] is) because we were habitually sinning, he enabled us to receive [spiritual]/[eternal] life because of our relationship with Christ. [Do not forget this: It is only] because God has acted so kindly toward you, in a way that you did not deserve, that you are saved {that [he] saved you} [from the guilt of your sin]

even being we dead in trespasses made [us] alive with Christ — by grace you are saved.

6 And [it is as though] God gave us spiritual life when he caused Christ Jesus to be alive again after he died [MET]. And [it is as though] God caused us to sit [and rule] [MTY] with him in heaven,

and He raised [us] up together and He seated [us] together in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that he might show to everyone at all times in the future that he has acted toward us in an extremely kind way because of what Christ Jesus [did for us]. (aiōn g165)

in order that He may show in the ages that [are] coming (the surpassing riches *N(k)O*) of the grace of Him in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (aiōn g165)

8 It is [only] by [God] acting [PRS] [toward you] in a way that you did not deserve that you have been saved {that he has saved you} as a result of your trusting [in Christ]. You did not save yourselves. His saving you was his gift to you.

For by grace you are saved through (*k*) faith, and this not of yourselves, [it is] of God the gift,

9 He did not save any of you because of anything you yourselves did. Because you have done nothing [to save yourselves], you cannot be proud of your efforts to save yourselves.

not as a result of works, so that not anyone may boast.

10 It is God who has made us what we are now. Because of our relationship with Christ Jesus, he has enabled us to receive [spiritual/eternal] life in order that we should conduct our lives habitually doing the good deeds that God previously planned for us to do.

Of Him for we are workmanship having been created in Christ Jesus for works good which prepared beforehand God, that in them we may walk.

11 You [Ephesians] have been non-Jews from the time that you were born. The Jews ([insult you/say that you are not God’s people]) [by] calling you ‘those who are not circumcised’. They [proudly] call themselves ‘we [(exc)] who are circumcised’. [They have allowed people to] circumcise [them to indicate that they are God’s people, but] that has [only] changed their bodies, [not their] ([inner beings/hearts]).

Therefore do remember that formerly you yourselves the Gentiles in [the] flesh, the ones being named [the] uncircumcision by which is being named [the] circumcision in [the] flesh made by hands —

12 You should constantly remember these things: Formerly you did not have any relationship with Christ. You did not belong to the people of Israel, [the people whom God chose]. You did not know about the things God promised in his agreements [with his people]. You did not confidently expect to go to heaven after you die (OR, [that God would save you]). You [lived] in this world without knowing God.

for you were (in *k*) time that [very] separate from Christ alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of the promise, hope not having and without God in the world;

13 But now, because of your relationship with Christ Jesus, God has brought you, who had no relationship with him [MET], into his family [MET]. He did that because [you trusted in what Christ accomplished when] his blood [MTY] [flowed from his body when he died on the cross].

Now however in Christ Jesus you yourselves the [ones] once being far off have become near by the blood of Christ.

14 Christ himself [has caused us Jewish and non-Jewish believers] to have peace [with each other]. He has made both [of our groups] to become one [group]. [Just like people] (tear down/demolish) a wall that separates [groups of people] [MET], he has destroyed the hatred [between Jews and non-Jews].

he himself for is the peace of us, which having made both one and the barrier of the fence having broken down,

15 By dying [MTY] [for us on the cross] he made it no longer [necessary for us to obey] all the [Jewish] laws and rituals [in order to be saved]. He did that in order to enable the two [groups] to become one new group because of our relationship with him. The result was that he has caused us to have peace [with each other].

the hostility in the flesh of Him, the law of commandments in ordinances having annulled, so that the two He may create in (Him *N(k)O*) into one new man making peace,

16 By [dying on] the cross [MTY] he caused both Jews and non-Jews to have a peaceful relationship with God. That is how he caused us to no longer be [MET] enemies [with God] (OR, [with each other]).

and He may reconcile both in one body to God through the cross having slain the hostility by it;

17 He came [to earth] and proclaimed that you [non-Jews], who did not have a relationship with [MET] [God], and [us(exc) Jews], who [considered that we(exc) belonged to] [MET] God’s [family], can [all] now have peace [with God].

And having come He evangelised peace to you the [ones] far off and (peace *no*) to those [who are] near,

18 [We know that he has done that] because we both, [Jews and non-Jews], are [now] able to approach God the Father in prayer by the help of his Spirit, because of what Christ [has done].

For through Him we have the access both by one Spirit to the Father.

19 So [God no longer treats] you [non-Jews] as [people treat] [MET] foreigners and strangers [who live among them] [MET]. Instead, along with all God’s people, [it is as though] you have become citizens of a country that he rules over, and [as though you have become] members of the family [of which he is the father] [MET].

So then no longer no longer are you strangers and aliens, but (are *no*) fellow citizens of the saints and of the household of God

20 [Just like] a building is built {[as someone] builds a building} on a foundation, [God has joined you into one group that originated/began] from what the apostles and prophets [taught]. Christ Jesus is the [most important one in that group, just like a] cornerstone [is the most important part of a building]. And

having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, being [the] cornerstone Himself Christ Jesus

21 just like [a builder might] join together all the parts of a building to make it a temple that [people will] dedicate to the Lord [MET], [Christ is continually causing all of] you who have a relationship with [him to be united, in order that you will become one holy group].

in whom [the] whole (*k*) building being fitted together is increasing into a temple holy in [the] Lord,

22 And because of your relationship with Christ, [God] is joining you [non-Jews] together with [Jewish believers] to be [like] one building [MET] in which his Spirit lives.

in whom also you yourselves are being built together for a habitation of God in [the] Spirit.