From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(A) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(C) the spirit^(D) now working in the disobedient.^{[a] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(G) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(H) because of his great love^(I) that he had for us,^{[b] 5} made us alive^(J) with Christ even though we were dead^(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,^{(L) 7} so that in the coming ages^(M) he might display the immeasurable riches^(N) of his grace through his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created^(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(R) for us to do.

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(S) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(T) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(U) without hope^(V) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(W) of Christ.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,^[a](A) he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”^[b]

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”^(B)

¹⁵ “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”^(C)

¹⁷ Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,^[c](D) because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven.^{(E) 18} And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,^(F) and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

⁶ But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator^(A) of a better covenant,^(B) which has been established on better promises.^(C)

A Superior Covenant

⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one. ⁸ But finding fault with his people,^[a] he says:^[b]

¹³ By saying a new covenant, he has declared that the first is obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old is about to pass away.^(G)

New Covenant Ministry

¹¹ But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come.^[a] In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation^(A)), ¹² he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.^{(B) 13} For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,^{(C) 14} how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(D) offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our^[b] consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?^(E)

¹⁵ Therefore, he is the mediator^(F) of a new covenant,^[c](G) so that those who are called might receive the promise^(H) of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.^(I)

¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation^(A) other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.