Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:15

What does Ephesians 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:15 means

Christ “abolished in his flesh the enmity,” specifically tied to “the law of commandments contained in ordinances.” This does not mean God’s moral will is discarded. Rather, the aspects of the law that functioned as boundary markers separating Jew and Gentile (ritual and ceremonial distinctions) no longer define God’s people. By his death, Christ fulfilled and set aside what divided, so that he might create “one new man” in himself—a new humanity where Christ is the defining identity. Peace is achieved by re-creation, not mere compromise. In Christ, former categories give way to a united people formed by the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the enmity in his flesh, the law of the commands in ordinances having done away, that the two he might create in himself into one new man, making peace,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees: that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

having annulled the enmity in his flesh, the law of commandments in ordinances, that he might form the two in himself into one new man, making peace;

Context

Verse 15 clarifies the mechanism of unity introduced in verse 14. It points to Christ’s flesh (his sacrificial death) and the removal of divisive ordinances to create a single new humanity. Verse 16 will extend the argument upward, showing that this new body is reconciled to God through the cross. The flow tightens the link between Christ’s atonement and the church’s unity.

v.14For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,

v.15This passage

v.16and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 4:16

    from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.

  • Colossians 2:14

    having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;

  • Hebrews 9:23

    It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

  • Galatians 3:28

    There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.

  • Galatians 3:10

    For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.

  • Hebrews 10:19

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

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