Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:6

What does Ephesians 2:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:6 means

God not only made believers alive; he also raised them with Christ and seated them with him in the heavenly places. This describes a present, spiritual reality grounded in Christ’s exaltation. Though still on earth, believers share Christ’s status and security before God. Being “in Christ Jesus” is the sphere of this blessing—what is true of the Head is counted to his body. This seating signifies honor, rest, and participation in Christ’s victory. It assures believers that their identity is anchored above, beyond the shifting patterns of this world. Our salvation does not merely start us over; it relocates us, in Christ, to the realm where he reigns.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that we came back from death with him, and are seated with him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and did raise <FI>us<Fi> up together, and did seat <FI>us<Fi> together in the heavenly <FI>places<Fi> in Christ Jesus,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And hath raised us up together and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and has raised [us] up together, and has made [us] sit down together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,

Context

Verse 6 builds on verse 5’s union-with-Christ by adding resurrection and enthronement. The emphasis remains on God’s action (“raised,” “made us to sit”) and the believer’s new position. This sets up verse 7’s purpose statement: God intends this exalted status to serve as a display of his grace for all ages. The flow moves from what God did (vv. 5–6) to why he did it (v. 7), then to how it comes to us (vv. 8–9).

v.5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

v.6This passage

v.7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus:

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 3:20

    Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

  • Luke 12:37

    Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.

  • Colossians 2:12

    having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

  • Ephesians 1:19

    and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might

  • John 14:3

    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

  • Colossians 3:1

    If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

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