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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 2:12 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/49_Eph_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 2:12 - One in Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ephesians/2-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ephesians/2-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ephesians/">Ephesians</a> > <a href="/ephesians/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm" title="Ephesians 2:11">◄</a> Ephesians 2:12 <a href="/ephesians/2-13.htm" title="Ephesians 2:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ephesians/2.htm">New International Version</a> remember 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. <a href="/nlt/ephesians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. <a href="/esv/ephesians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world. <a href="/kjv/ephesians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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: <a href="/nkjv/ephesians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> that at that time you 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. <a href="/nasb_/ephesians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/nasb/ephesians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/nasb77/ephesians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/lsb/ephesians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> remember that you were at that time without Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/amp/ephesians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God. <a href="/csb/ephesians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. <a href="/hcsb/ephesians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. <a href="/asv/ephesians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> that ye 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. <a href="/cev/ephesians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> At that time you did not know about Christ. You were foreigners to the people of Israel, and you had no part in the promises God had made to them. You were living in this world without hope and without God, <a href="/erv/ephesians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> that ye 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. <a href="/gwt/ephesians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Also, at that time you were without Christ. You were excluded from citizenship in Israel, and the pledges [God made in his] promise were foreign to you. You had no hope and were in the world without God. <a href="/gnt/ephesians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to God's chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on God's promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God. <a href="/isv/ephesians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise. You had no hope and were in the world without God. <a href="/msb/ephesians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/ephesians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> that you were at that time without the Messiah, alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/nheb/ephesians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. <a href="/wbt/ephesians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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: <a href="/wey/ephesians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At that time you were living apart from Christ, estranged from the Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants which are based on the Promises, and you had no hope and no God, in all the world. <a href="/web/ephesians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> that 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ephesians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that you were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world; <a href="/blb/ephesians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world. <a href="/ylt/ephesians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that ye were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world; <a href="/slt/ephesians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> That ye were in that time without Christ alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners from the covenants of solemn promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ephesians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> That you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the conversation of Israel, and strangers to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and without God in this world. <a href="/cpdv/ephesians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> and that you were, in that time, without Christ, being foreign to the way of life of Israel, being visitors to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and being without God in this world. <a href="/nabre/ephesians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. <a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> At that time you were without Christ, being aliens to the customs of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope, and without God in the world. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And you were at that time without The Messiah, and you were aliens from the government of Israel and strangers to The Covenant of The Promise and you were without hope and without God in the world.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/ephesians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and having no God in the world: <a href="/godbey/ephesians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> because you were at that time without Christ, being alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers of the covenants of the promise, having no hope and being atheists in the world. <a href="/haweis/ephesians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> that ye were at that time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and atheists in the world: <a href="/mace/ephesians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> that at that time ye were without all knowledge of the Messiah, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and living in the world without any true knowledge of God. <a href="/wey/ephesians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At that time you were living apart from Christ, estranged from the Commonwealth of Israel, with no share by birth in the Covenants which are based on the Promises, and you had no hope and no God, in all the world. <a href="/worrell/ephesians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> that at that time ye were apart from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. <a href="/worsley/ephesians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus, <a href="/parallel/ephesians/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=300" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ephesians/2.htm">One in Christ</a> 11Therefore 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)— 12<a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">remember that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">at</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinō (DPro-DMS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2540.htm" title="2540: kairō (N-DMS) -- Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.">time</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēte (V-IIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you were</a> <a href="/greek/5565.htm" title="5565: chōris (Prep) -- Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.">separate from</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/526.htm" title="526: apēllotriōmenoi (V-RPM/P-NMP) -- From apo and a derivative of allotrios; to estrange away, i.e. to be non-participant.">alienated from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4174.htm" title="4174: politeias (N-GFS) -- From polites; citizenship; concretely, a community.">commonwealth</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2474.htm" title="2474: Israēl (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3581.htm" title="3581: xenoi (Adj-NMP) -- Apparently a primary word; foreign; by implication, a guest or entertainer.">strangers</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to the</a> <a href="/greek/1242.htm" title="1242: diathēkōn (N-GFP) -- From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract.">covenants</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1860.htm" title="1860: epangelias (N-GFS) -- A promise. From epaggello; an announcement.">promise,</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">without</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold."></a> <a href="/greek/1680.htm" title="1680: elpida (N-AFS) -- Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.">hope</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/112.htm" title="112: atheoi (Adj-NMP) -- Without god, without (the only true) God, godless. Godless.">without God</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2889.htm" title="2889: kosmō (N-DMS) -- Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).">world.</a> 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4-5</a> the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. / Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen. <a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Colossians 1:21</a> Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. <a href="/romans/3-1.htm">Romans 3:1-2</a> What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? / Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a> Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13</a> Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. <a href="/1_peter/2-10.htm">1 Peter 2:10</a> Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. <a href="/john/4-22.htm">John 4:22</a> You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. <a href="/romans/5-6.htm">Romans 5:6</a> For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. <a href="/colossians/2-13.htm">Colossians 2:13</a> When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, <a href="/acts/26-18.htm">Acts 26:18</a> to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-18</a> Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Galatians 3:17</a> What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise. <a href="/isaiah/57-19.htm">Isaiah 57:19</a> bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.” <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a> “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. <a href="/ezekiel/37-26.htm">Ezekiel 37:26-27</a> And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. / My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>That at that time you 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:without.<a href="/john/10-16.htm">John 10:16</a> And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.<a href="/john/15-5.htm">John 15:5</a> I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.<a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Colossians 1:21</a> And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciledaliens.<a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a> Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:<a href="/ezra/4-3.htm">Ezra 4:3</a> But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.<a href="/isaiah/61-5.htm">Isaiah 61:5</a> And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.the covenants.<a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18</a> In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:<a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7-9</a> And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee… <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3-11</a> And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do… having.<a href="/jeremiah/14-8.htm">Jeremiah 14:8</a> O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?<a href="/jeremiah/17-13.htm">Jeremiah 17:13</a> O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.<a href="/john/4-22.htm">John 4:22</a> Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.without.<a href="/2_chronicles/15-3.htm">2 Chronicles 15:3</a> Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.<a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Isaiah 44:6</a> Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.<a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20</a> Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Alienated</a> <a href="/acts/13-17.htm">Aliens</a> <a href="/galatians/1-15.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Based</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/acts/22-28.htm">Citizenship</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Commonwealth</a> <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Covenants</a> <a href="/galatians/5-12.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-5.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/romans/3-27.htm">Excluded</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-21.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">God's</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-18.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/galatians/6-16.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/john/3-10.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Part</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Promises</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Share</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-21.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-2.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Alienated</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Aliens</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-8.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Based</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-13.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Citizenship</a> <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Commonwealth</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-8.htm">Covenants</a> <a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Excluded</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">God's</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-4.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Israel's</a> <a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Nation</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Part</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Promise</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-12.htm">Promises</a> <a href="/philippians/1-3.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-26.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Share</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 2</div>1. <a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,</a> 10. <a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ, </a> 19. <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of Ephesians, Paul is addressing Gentile believers who were once outside the covenant community. Being "separate from Christ" indicates a lack of relationship with the Messiah, who is central to salvation. This separation highlights the universal need for reconciliation through Jesus, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.alienated from the commonwealth of Israel The term "alienated" suggests a state of exclusion or being an outsider. The "commonwealth of Israel" refers to the national and spiritual identity of Israel as God's chosen people. Historically, Israel was set apart by God through the Abrahamic covenant (<a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>). Gentiles, not being part of this covenant community, were considered outsiders to the blessings and promises given to Israel. This alienation underscores the division between Jews and Gentiles, which Christ came to abolish (<a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14</a>).and strangers to the covenants of the promise "Covenants of the promise" refers to the various covenants God made with Israel, including the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants. These covenants contained promises of land, nationhood, and blessing, ultimately pointing to the coming Messiah. Gentiles, being "strangers," were not originally part of these covenantal promises. However, through Christ, Gentiles are grafted into these promises, as explained in <a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a>.without hope The absence of hope reflects the spiritual despair of those outside of Christ. In the ancient world, hope was often tied to religious and cultural identity. For Gentiles, lacking the promises and covenants of Israel meant living without the hope of redemption and eternal life. This hopelessness is contrasted with the hope found in Christ, who is described as our hope in <a href="/1_timothy/1.htm">1 Timothy 1:1</a>.and without God in the world Being "without God" (Greek: atheos) signifies a life devoid of the true knowledge and relationship with the one true God. In the Greco-Roman world, many gods were worshipped, but they did not provide the personal relationship and salvation offered by the God of Israel. This phrase emphasizes the spiritual void and idolatry prevalent among Gentiles before coming to faith in Christ. The transformation from being "without God" to being reconciled with Him is a central theme in the gospel message, as seen in <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>, where Jesus declares Himself the way to the Father.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Ephesians, addressing the Gentile believers in Ephesus. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a> A major city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse population and significant pagan worship, particularly of the goddess Artemis. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentiles.htm">Gentiles</a> Non-Jewish people who were the primary audience of this letter, previously excluded from the Jewish religious community. 4. <a href="/topical/c/commonwealth_of_israel.htm">Commonwealth of Israel</a> Refers to the community and nation of Israel, God's chosen people, with whom He made covenants. 5. <a href="/topical/c/covenants_of_the_promise.htm">Covenants of the Promise</a> The agreements God made with His people, including the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, promising blessings and a future Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_past_separation.htm">Understanding Our Past Separation</a> Recognize the spiritual state of being "separate from Christ" and the implications of living without hope and God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a> Appreciate the significance of being part of the "commonwealth of Israel" and the spiritual family through Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_covenants.htm">The Role of Covenants</a> Study the covenants of the Old Testament to understand God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises in Christ. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_christ.htm">Hope in Christ</a> Embrace the hope and purpose found in a relationship with God through Jesus, contrasting it with the hopelessness of life without Him. <a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_unity.htm">Reconciliation and Unity</a> Strive for unity within the church, recognizing that all believers, regardless of background, are brought together in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 2</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'nothing_is_impossible_with_god'_mean.htm">What is the meaning of 'One New Man'?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_gathering_of_christ_church.htm">What is the Gathering of Christ Church?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_separation_from_god_mean.htm">What does separation from God mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_being_spiritually_dead.htm">What defines being spiritually dead?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) This verse gives a dark and terrible picture of the former heathen condition of the Ephesians, intentionally contrasted in every point with the description of Christian privilege in <a href="/context/ephesians/2-19.htm" title="Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;">Ephesians 2:19-20</a>. That condition is first summed up in one expression. They were "separate from Christ." Then from this are drawn two gloomy consequences: first (1), that they had no part in God's special covenant, "alienated from the commonwealth of Israel," and so "strangers to the (often repeated) covenants of the promise" of the Messiah; next (2), that, thus left in "the world," they had "no hope" of spiritual life and immortality, and were "godless" in thought and act. For Christ is at once the end and substance of the covenant of Israel, and the Revealer of God, and therefore of spiritual life in man, to all mankind. To be without Him is to lose both covenant and light. On (1) it is to be noted that the word used is not "aliens," but "alienated." implying--what is again and again declared to us--that the covenant with Israel, as it was held in trust for the blessing of "all families of the earth," so also was simply the true birthright of humanity, from which mankind had fallen. The first "covenant" in scripture (<a href="/context/genesis/9-8.htm" title="And God spoke to Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,">Genesis 9:8-17</a>) is with the whole of the post-diluvian race, and is expressly connected with the reality of "the image of God" in man (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm" title="Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.">Genesis 9:6</a>). The succeeding covenants (as with Abraham, Moses, and David) all contain a promise concerning the whole race of man. Hence the Gentiles (as the utterances of prophecy showed more and more clearly while the ages rolled on) were exiles from what should have been their home; and their call into the Church of Christ was a restoration of God's wandering children. In relation to (2) it is impossible not to observe, even in the highest forms of heathen philosophy, how their comparative "godlessness"--the absence of any clear notion of a real spiritual tie of nature between God and man--made their "hope" of life and immortality, though still cherished, shadowy and uncertain, always stronger in itself than in its grounds. But St. Paul's description ought to be applied strictly, not to heathen life in its nobler and purer forms, but to the heathen life of Asia Minor in his days. What that was in moral degradation and in loss of all spiritual religion, ill compensated by the inevitable proneness to various superstitions, all contemporary literature testifies. From it came, as the Romans declared, the corruption which overspread the whole empire, and which St. Paul describes so terribly in <a href="/context/romans/1-18.htm" title="For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;">Romans 1:18-32</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - That at that time ye were without Christ. Very comprehensive description, having no knowledge of Christ, no interest in him, no life or blessing from him. Being aliens (or, alienated) from the commonwealth of Israel; the πολιτεία, or citizenship condition, including a country, a constitution, a divinely appointed and divinely administered economy, rich in blessing. And strangers to the covenants of the promise. The promise of Christ, of which circumcision was the seal. The "covenants" (plural) substantially the same, but renewed to various persons and at various times in which God promised, "I will bless him that blesseth thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed." In respect of these they were strangers, not embraced in their provisions, not, therefore, in a state of encouragement to expect a great blessing. Having no hope; no ground for looking forward to better times, no reasonable expectation of improvement in your religious condition. And without God in the world; ἄθεοι, atheists; but not in the active sense of denying God, rather in the passive sense of unconnected with God; without any friendly and beneficial relation to him, without any vital nexus that would bring into their soul the fullness of God. The words "in the world" intensify "without God." It were bad enough to be without God (without his holy fellowship and blessed influence) anywhere, but it is worse to be without him in the world, in "this present evil world" (<a href="/galatians/1-4.htm">Galatians 1:4</a>), in a world dominated by so subtle and evil a god (ver. 2 and <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a>). The fivefold negative description of this verse has a cumulative effect; the situation becomes graver and more terrible, and the last clause is the climax. <a href="/commentaries/ephesians/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[remember] that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. at τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. that ἐκείνῳ (ekeinō) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. time καιρῷ (kairō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2540.htm">Strong's 2540: </a> Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time. you were ἦτε (ēte) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. separate from χωρὶς (chōris) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5565.htm">Strong's 5565: </a> Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from. Christ, Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. alienated from ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι (apēllotriōmenoi) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_526.htm">Strong's 526: </a> From apo and a derivative of allotrios; to estrange away, i.e. to be non-participant. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. commonwealth πολιτείας (politeias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4174.htm">Strong's 4174: </a> From polites; citizenship; concretely, a community. of Israel, Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. strangers ξένοι (xenoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> Apparently a primary word; foreign; by implication, a guest or entertainer. to the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. covenants διαθηκῶν (diathēkōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. promise, ἐπαγγελίας (epangelias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1860.htm">Strong's 1860: </a> A promise. From epaggello; an announcement. without μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. hope ἐλπίδα (elpida) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1680.htm">Strong's 1680: </a> Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. without God ἄθεοι (atheoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_112.htm">Strong's 112: </a> Without god, without (the only true) God, godless. Godless. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. world. κόσμῳ (kosmō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2889.htm">Strong's 2889: </a> Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally). <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ephesians/2-12.htm">Ephesians 2:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-12.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 2:12 That you were at that time separate (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 2:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>