Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:12

What does Ephesians 2:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:12 means

Gentile believers were once in a bleak condition: separated from Christ (the promised Messiah), excluded from Israel’s commonwealth, and strangers to the covenants that carried God’s saving promises. The result was “no hope” and being “without God in the world.” This is not a denial of God’s global rule but a statement of estrangement from his saving presence and people. The accumulated phrases show their distance from the sphere where God’s promises were known and enjoyed. Paul wants them to feel the weight of that distance, not to shame them, but to magnify what God has now done to bring them near in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

That you were at that time without Christ, being cut off from any part in Israel's rights as a nation, having no part in God's agreement, having no hope, and without God in the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and withoutGod in the world:

Context

Verse 12 deepens the remembrance of verse 11, listing five layers of Gentile alienation. This prepares the way for the dramatic reversal in verse 13: “But now in Christ Jesus…” The structure mirrors verses 1–4 in the first section—dire condition followed by a gracious pivot. The aim is to heighten gratitude for Christ’s reconciling work and to undergird the call to unity that follows in verses 14–18.

v.11Wherefore 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;

v.12This passage

v.13But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 44:6

    Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.

  • Psalms 89:3

    I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant:

  • Exodus 24:3

    And Moses came and told the people all the words of Jehovah, and all the ordinances: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which Jehovah hath spoken will we do.

  • Colossians 1:5

    because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:16

    Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

  • 1 Corinthians 8:4

    Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 2:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary