Ephesians 2:11-3:21

New International Version

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(A) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)^(B)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(C) to the covenants of the promise,^(D) without hope^(E) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(F) were far away have been brought near^(G) by the blood of Christ.^(H)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(I) who has made the two groups one^(J) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(K) the law with its commands and regulations.^(L) His purpose was to create in himself one^(M) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(N) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(O) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(P) 18} For through him we both have access^(Q) to the Father^(R) by one Spirit.^(S)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(T) but fellow citizens^(U) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(V) 20} built^(W) on the foundation^(X) of the apostles and prophets,^(Y) with Christ Jesus himself^(Z) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AA) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AB) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AC)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(AD) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(AE) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(AF) made known to me by revelation,^(AG) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(AH) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(AI) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(AJ) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(AK) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(AL)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(AM) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(AN) through the working of his power.^{(AO) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(AP) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(AQ) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(AR) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(AS) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(AT) should be made known^(AU) to the rulers and authorities^(AV) in the heavenly realms,^{(AW) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(AX) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(AY) with freedom and confidence.^{(AZ) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(BA) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(BB) he may strengthen you with power^(BC) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(BD) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(BE) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(BF) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(BG) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(BH) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(BI)—that you may be filled^(BJ) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(BK)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(BL) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(BM) or imagine, according to his power^(BN) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(BO)