One New Humanity: Reconciliation in Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22
Eph.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διο: CONJ
- μνημονευετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- ποτε: ADV
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- λεγομενοι: PTCP,pres,pass,nom,pl,m
- ακροβυστια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υπο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- λεγομενης: PTCP,pres,pass,gen,sg,f
- περιτομης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- χειροποιητου: ADJ,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Colossians 2:11 (verbal): Explicitly echoes circumcision language applied to believers (a 'circumcision made without hands'); closely parallels Eph.2.11's concern with circumcision/uncircumcision and Gentile believers.
- Romans 2:28-29 (thematic): Discusses true circumcision as inward/spiritual rather than ethnic/physical, engaging the same Jew–Gentile identity and meaning of 'circumcision' that Eph.2.11 invokes.
- Philippians 3:3 (thematic): Contrasts outward, fleshly circumcision with the true circumcision of worshiping by the Spirit; like Eph.2.11 it reframes Gentile/Jew boundaries in spiritual terms.
- Galatians 5:2-6 (thematic): Argues that circumcision (reliance on the flesh) does not justify and undermines Christ; thematically parallels Eph.2.11's portrayal of Gentiles formerly 'uncircumcised' and the transformed status in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore remember that at one time you who are Gentiles by birth were called “the uncircumcision” by those called “the circumcision,” a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands.
- Therefore remember that at one time you who are Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcision” by those called “the circumcision,” made in the flesh by hands—
Eph.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ητε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- καιρω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εκεινω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- απηλλοτριωμενοι: PART,perf,pass,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πολιτειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ξενοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- διαθηκων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- επαγγελιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ελπιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μη: PART
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αθεοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Colossians 1:21 (verbal): Uses the language of former alienation ('alienated'/'hostile') to describe Gentiles before Christ, echoing Ephesians' 'alienated from the citizenship of Israel.'
- Ephesians 4:18 (verbal): Speaks of being 'alienated from the life of God' with darkened understanding — parallels Ephesians 2:12's 'without God' and lack of hope.
- Ephesians 2:19 (structural): Immediate canonical contrast: after describing former alienation (2:11–12), 2:19 declares believers are now 'no longer strangers and aliens' — directly resolves the status named in 2:12.
- Galatians 4:8-9 (thematic): Describes Gentiles' prior condition of not knowing God and being enslaved to false worship — thematically parallels being 'without Christ' and 'without God and hope' in Ephesians 2:12.
- Romans 11:17-24 (thematic): Paul's imagery of Gentiles grafted into Israel addresses the Gentiles' exclusion from Israel's covenants and subsequent inclusion — thematically connected to being 'strangers to the covenants of promise' and their restored status.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember that you were at that time without Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
- were at that time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- νυνι: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ποτε: ADV
- οντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- μακραν: ADV
- εγενηθητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- εγγυς: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αιματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Romans 5:10 (thematic): Speaks of reconciliation to God 'while we were enemies' through Christ's death—parallel theme of being brought near by Christ's sacrifice.
- Colossians 1:21-22 (verbal): Describes formerly alienated persons now reconciled 'in the body of his flesh by his death,' closely echoing 'brought near by the blood of Christ.'
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (verbal): Speaks of drawing near to God 'by the blood of Jesus,' using similar language linking nearness/access to God with Christ's blood.
- Isaiah 57:19 (allusion): OT promise of peace to 'the far and the near' echoes the language in Ephesians of those formerly far being brought near—background for the NT proclamation.
- 1 Peter 3:18 (thematic): Notes Christ's suffering 'that he might bring us to God,' paralleling the idea that Christ's death effects reconciliation and nearness to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
- But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποιησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αμφοτερα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μεσοτοιχον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- φραγμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λυσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εχθραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Colossians 1:20-22 (thematic): Speaks of Christ reconciling all things and presenting people holy—echoes Eph 2's theme that Christ abolishes hostility and effects peace/reconciliation.
- Romans 10:12 (thematic): 'There is no distinction between Jew and Greek' reflects the same removal of ethnic/religious barriers that Eph 2:14 describes.
- Galatians 3:28 (verbal): 'Neither Jew nor Greek... for you are all one in Christ Jesus' parallels Eph 2:14's claim that Christ 'made both one.'
- Matthew 27:51 (allusion): The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' death symbolizes removal of the barrier to God—an image analogous to Eph 2's breaking down the dividing wall of hostility.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (thematic): Paul's notation of the ministry of reconciliation (God reconciling the world to himself) echoes Eph 2's emphasis that Christ abolished enmity and created peace.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility,
- For he himself is our peace, who has made both groups one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility,
Eph.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εντολων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- δογμασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- καταργησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- κτιση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- καινον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Colossians 2:14 (verbal): Paul uses practically the same idea and language about nullifying legal requirements—'canceled the bond… nailing it to the cross'—paralleling 'abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances'.
- Galatians 3:28 (thematic): The theme of breaking down Jew–Gentile divisions to constitute a unified people in Christ ('neither Jew nor Greek… one in Christ Jesus') parallels 'making the two into one new man.'
- Ephesians 4:22-24 (structural): Within Ephesians Paul develops the 'new man' concept further—putting off the old self and putting on the new—echoing 2:15's 'one new man' motif and its ethical implications.
- Colossians 3:9-11 (verbal): Colossians speaks of the 'new self' in which ethnic and social distinctions (Greek, Jew, circumcision, uncircumcision) are abolished, closely paralleling the abolition of divisions and creation of one new man in Eph 2:15.
- Romans 10:4 (thematic): 'Christ is the end (telos) of the law' resonates with Eph 2:15's claim that Christ has abolished/fulfilled the law of commandments and ordinances, shifting the locus of righteousness from law to Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new person out of the two, thus making peace,
- by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
Eph.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αποκαταλλαξη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αμφοτερους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ενι: PREP
- σωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σταυρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αποκτεινας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εχθραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Eph.2.14 (structural): Immediate context: the same pericope states that Christ is our peace who 'made both one'—setting up the reconciliation of Jew and Gentile accomplished in v.16.
- Col.1.20-22 (verbal): Paul speaks of God reconciling 'all things' through Christ's blood and presenting sinners holy—parallels the language of reconciliation and peace effected by Christ's death.
- 2 Cor.5.18-19 (thematic): Declares that God has given Paul the ministry of reconciliation and that God reconciled the world to himself—echoes the theme of God effecting reconciliation through Christ.
- Rom.5.10-11 (verbal): Asserts believers were reconciled to God through Christ's death and therefore have peace—close verbal and theological parallel about reconciliation by the cross.
- Gal.3.28 (thematic): Affirms the unity of Jew and Gentile 'one in Christ Jesus,' reflecting Ephesians' emphasis on abolishing ethnic hostility and creating one body.
Alternative generated candidates
- and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility.
- and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility.
Eph.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- ευηγγελισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- μακραν: ADV
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εγγυς·: ADV
Parallels
- Isaiah 57:19 (quotation): Language closely echoes Isaiah’s declaration “Peace, peace to him that is far off and to him that is near,” and Eph 2:17 appears to invoke this prophetic formula of peace to far and near.
- Acts 10:36 (verbal): Peter speaks of God “preaching the gospel of peace” (or “preaching peace through Jesus Christ”); shares the verb of proclamation and the theme of peace announced in Christ.
- Romans 5:1 (thematic): Paul’s statement that we have ‘peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ develops the same theological theme—reconciliation and peace granted through Christ’s work.
- Ephesians 2:13–14 (structural): Immediate context: 2:13 speaks of those formerly ‘far off’ being brought near, and 2:14 identifies Christ as ‘our peace’—Eph 2:17 combines these motifs of far/near and peace in the proclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
- And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Eph.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- δι᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m,3
- εχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- προσαγωγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αμφοτεροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ενι: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.5:2 (verbal): Paul says we 'have access' (εἰσερχόμεθα/χρή) through Christ into the grace in which we stand—close verbal parallel to 'through him we have access' in Eph 2:18.
- Eph.3:12 (verbal): Within the same letter Paul: 'in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him' — a near echo of the language and idea of access through Christ.
- Heb.10:19-22 (thematic): Speaks of bold access to God 'through the blood of Jesus' and 'the new and living way' he opened, thematically close to Eph 2:18's claim of approach to the Father through Christ.
- Rom.8:15-16 (thematic): Describes the Spirit's role in adoption—by the Spirit we cry 'Abba, Father'—linking the Spirit's function to believers' relationship and access to the Father as in Eph 2:18.
- Gal.4:6 (verbal): 'God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”' — highlights the Spirit-mediated access to the Father, echoing Eph 2:18's 'in one Spirit to the Father.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
- For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Eph.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρα: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- ουκετι: ADV
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ξενοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- παροικοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- συμπολιται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οικειοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:11-12 (verbal): Uses near-identical language of believers as strangers/sojourners (παρεπιδήμους/παροίκους) and contrasts worldly status with belonging to God’s people, echoing Eph.2:19’s terminology and ethical implication.
- 1 Timothy 3:15 (verbal): Explicitly calls the church 'the household of God,' paralleling Ephesians’ characterization of believers as 'members of the household of God' (οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ).
- Philippians 3:20 (thematic): Speaks of believers' citizenship being in heaven, which parallels Ephesians’ description of Christians as 'fellow citizens with the saints'—both stress a non-earthly civic identity.
- Romans 8:14-17 (thematic): Describes believers as children of God and heirs with Christ, thematically paralleling Ephesians’ idea of inclusion in God’s household and corporate family status.
- Galatians 3:26-29 (thematic): Affirms that those in Christ are children of God and one family (heirs of the promise), echoing Eph.2:19’s emphasis on belonging, unity with the saints, and incorporation into God’s household.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,
- So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,
Eph.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εποικοδομηθεντες: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- επι: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεμελιω: NOUN,dat,sg,neut
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,masc
- και: CONJ
- προφητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- οντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- ακρογωνιαιου: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 28:16 (quotation): Speaks of a tested, precious cornerstone laid in Zion — background OT promise Christians apply to Christ as the foundation cornerstone in Eph. 2:20.
- Psalm 118:22 (verbal): The stone the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone is the image echoed in Ephesians' depiction of Christ as the cornerstone.
- Acts 4:11 (quotation): Peter applies the 'stone rejected by the builders' to Jesus (quoting Psalm 118), directly paralleling the cornerstone language in Ephesians.
- 1 Peter 2:6-8 (allusion): Calls Christ a cornerstone and describes believers as living stones built up — closely parallels Eph. 2:20–22's foundation/cornerstone and corporate building imagery.
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 (thematic): Affirms that no other foundation can be laid except Jesus Christ, echoing Ephesians' emphasis on Christ as the foundational cornerstone for the church.
Alternative generated candidates
- built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
- built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
Eph.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- οικοδομη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- συναρμολογουμενη: VERB,pres,pass,ptc,nom,sg,f
- αυξει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- ναον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αγιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 3:9 (verbal): Describes the church with building imagery ('God's building'), paralleling the image of a structure being built and joined together.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (thematic): Speaks of believers as the 'temple of God' in which God's Spirit dwells, echoing Ephesians' 'holy temple' motif.
- 1 Peter 2:5 (verbal): Calls believers 'living stones' being built into a 'spiritual house,' directly parallel to the communal temple/building metaphor.
- Colossians 2:7 (verbal): Uses language of being 'rooted and built up in him,' echoing the idea of believers being built together and growing into fullness in Christ.
- Ephesians 2:22 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel: continues the same thought that believers 'are being built together' into a dwelling place for God, completing the unit of meaning around 2:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- in whom the whole structure, joined and held together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
- In him the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
Eph.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- συνοικοδομεισθε: VERB,pres,pass,ind,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- κατοικητηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Eph.2.21 (structural): Immediate context: the whole building is joined together to become a holy temple in the Lord, leading into v.22’s statement that believers are being built as God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
- 1 Peter 2:5 (verbal): Believers described as 'living stones' being built into a spiritual house and a royal priesthood—parallel language of corporate construction into God’s dwelling.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 (verbal): 'Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?'—same temple/dwelling and Spirit-immanence theme applied to the community.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (quotation): Cites the OT promise 'I will dwell in them' and applies it to believers as the temple of the living God, closely echoing the idea of God dwelling among/within his people.
- John 14:23 (thematic): Jesus’ promise that the Father and Son will make their home with the one who loves Jesus resonates with the theme of God dwelling with believers through the Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.
- In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Therefore remember that you who once were Gentiles in the flesh—called the uncircumcision by those who are called the circumcision, which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
remember that at that time you were without Christ, alienated 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 you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of hostility,
by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, by which he put to death the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
in whom the whole structure, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.