From Death to Life
2in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,2:2 2Pt 2:20 according to the ruler of the power of the air,2:2 2Pt 2:10; Jd 8 the spirit2:2 1Co 2:12; 1Tm 4:1 now working in the disobedient.2:2 Lit sons of disobedience
3We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly2:3 Php 3:3 desires, carrying out the inclinations2:3 Mt 21:31; Lk 12:47; 23:25; Jn 1:13; 1Co 7:37; 2Pt 1:21 of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath2:3 Rm 2:5; Rv 6:16 as the others were also.
4But God, who is rich in mercy,2:4 Lk 1:50 because of his great love2:4 1Co 13:1; 1Jn 4:16 that he had for us,2:4 Lit love with which he loved us
5made us alive2:5 Col 2:13; 1Tm 5:6 with Christ even though we were dead2:5 Jn 5:25 in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
6He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,2:6 Eph 1:3,20; 3:10; 6:12; Php 2:10; 1Pt 3:22
7so that in the coming ages2:7 Mk 10:30 he might display the immeasurable riches2:7 Lk 8:14; 2Co 8:9 of his grace through his kindness2:7 Ps 25:6 to us in Christ Jesus.
8For you are saved by grace2:8 Rm 3:24; 6:14; 11:6; Gl 2:21; 2Tm 1:9 through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift —
9not from works, so that no one can boast.
Unity in Christ
11So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”2:11 Gl 6:15 which is done in the flesh by human hands.2:11 Php 3:3
12At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,2:12 Gn 12:7 without hope2:12 1Th 1:3; 4:13 and without God in the world.
13But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood2:13 Heb 9:12 of Christ.
14For he is our peace, who made both groups one2:14 Rm 10:12; Gl 3:28 and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,
15he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create2:15 Rv 3:14 in himself one2:15 Jn 11:52 new man from the two, resulting in peace.
16He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body2:16 Eph 4:4 through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.2:16 Or death in himself
17He came and proclaimed the good news2:17 Lk 4:18; 1Pt 1:12 of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.2:17 Is 57:19
18For through him we both have access2:18 Jn 10:7–9; Rm 5:2; Eph 3:12 in one Spirit to the Father.2:18 Jn 4:23; 1Co 12:13; Eph 4:4; Col 1:12
19So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,
20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,2:20 1Co 12:28; Eph 3:5 with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
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