From Death to Life
1And you were dead Jn 5:25 in your trespasses and sins
2in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, 2Pt 2:20 according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, Lit ruler of the domain of the air 2Pt 2:10; Jd 8 the spirit 1Co 2:12; 1Tm 4:1 now working in the disobedient. Lit sons of disobedience
3We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly Php 3:3 desires, carrying out the inclinations 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 wrath Rm 2:5; Rv 6:16 as the others were also.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, Lk 1:50 because of His great love 1Co 13:1; 1Jn 4:16 that He had for us, Lit love with which He loved us
5made us alive Col 2:13; 1Tm 5:6 with the Messiah even though we were dead Jn 5:25 in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
6Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, Eph 1:3,20; 3:10; 6:12; Php 2:10; 1Pt 3:22
7so that in the coming ages Mk 10:30 He might display the immeasurable riches Lk 8:14; 2Co 8:9 of His grace through His kindness Ps 25:6 to us in Christ Jesus.
8For you are saved by grace 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.
10For we are His creation, created Jn 1:3; Rv 3:14 in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time Rm 9:23 so that we should walk in them.
Unity in Christ
11So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” Gl 6:15 which is done in the flesh by human hands. Php 3:3
12At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, Gn 12:7 without hope 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 blood Heb 9:12 of the Messiah.
14For He is our peace, who made both groups one 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 create Rv 3:14 in Himself one Jn 11:52 new man from the two, resulting in peace.
16He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body Eph 4:4 through the cross and put the hostility to death by it. Or death in Himself
17When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news Lk 4:18; 1Pt 1:12 of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Is 57:19
18For through Him we both have access Jn 10:7-9; Rm 5:2; Eph 3:12 by one Spirit to the Father. 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, 1Co 12:28; Eph 3:5 with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
21The whole building, being put together Eph 4:16 by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord. 1Pt 2:5
Holman Christian Standard Bible®
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009
by Holman Bible Publishers
