Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:11

What does Ephesians 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:11 means

Paul urges Gentile believers to remember their former status: “Gentiles in the flesh,” labeled “Uncircumcision” by those called “Circumcision.” He adds that this circumcision is “made by hands,” hinting that external rites alone do not confer true nearness to God. The point is not to belittle Jews but to recall the real barrier that once stood between the peoples. Memory matters; it fosters humility and gratitude. By rehearsing their past, Paul prepares them to prize the reconciliation Christ brought. The verse opens the lens from personal salvation to corporate identity, showing that God’s grace addresses historic divisions as well as individual guilt.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Wherefore, remember, that ye <FI>were<Fi> once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore gentiles is the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore remember that ye, once nations in [the] flesh, who [are] called uncircumcision by that called circumcision in [the] flesh done with the hand;

Context

Verse 11 begins the second half of the chapter, shifting from individual rescue to corporate reconciliation. Paul addresses the Gentiles’ former situation, using the language of circumcision to mark the old division. Verse 12 will detail how far outside the covenant privileges they stood. This recollection is crucial because the unity Christ brings (vv. 13–18) can only be appreciated against the starkness of former alienation. The flow moves from remembrance to redemption to reconstruction.

v.10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

v.11This passage

v.12that 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Deuteronomy 5:15

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

  • Ezekiel 16:61

    Then shalt thou remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder sisters and thy younger; and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • Deuteronomy 16:12

    And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

  • Romans 2:28

    For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh:

  • Ephesians 5:8

    for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

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