Ephesians 2

 

1 And you (has He restored to life) who were dead from the transgression (that left you dead and) laboring in the weakness of your corruptible flesh (by the sweat of your brow) to establish your own life (which always fell short of the mark of eternal life that could bring immortality to your flesh which God desired to give you as a gift).

2 And in (this offense) did you walk (out of the way) in times past according to the spirit contained in the world, by the deadly principles of (the serpent) the ruling influence of the world by which corruption entered therein, the spirit (that is opposed to Christ) which (even) now works in the (hearts of the) children who refuse to be persuaded (by the faith of Jesus Christ).

3 Among whom in times past we also were all children conducting our lives in the same manner in the lust (to bring forth life through the strength contained) in our flesh, laboring in all the things our flesh desired (and thought would bring life and peace) from every imagination of the carnal mind; and which were by origin the very things (that bring death) which God has sworn in His passion (for us) to destroy, which things were fathering our lives, (as children who were walking out of the way) even as others.

4 But God, who is rich (and abundant) in mercy (and everlasting kindness toward us), and because of His great love by which He loved us (desiring to preserve our lives forever with Him),

5 (So that) even when we were dead and in bondage, laboring in vain to preserve our lives in (the weakness of) our corruptible flesh, has He made us alive together with Christ, by His grace and strength (and not our own) you are saved (from death);

6 And He has raised us up together and seated us together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 In order that in the ages to come He might show us the exceeding riches of His grace (the blessing and life) which He has bestowed upon us (surpassing all that we could ask, think or imagine) in His (everlasting) kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 Because by (His) grace (and strength) are you saved (from death) through (being persuaded of the) faith (that was made flesh in Jesus Christ, which faith is full of power to animate you with His life); and it is not (something you can bring forth) in yourself, but it is the gift of God:

9 Not as a result of (my own) works, lest any man should boast (in his ability and not God’s).

10 Because we are His workmanship, which He created (through the Spirit of faith to form us in the image) of Christ Jesus (and established) upon (the) good works (that He has done), which (works) He has before ordained (from the beginning, before death entered) that we should walk in His good works (and the fruit of His life).

11 Therefore remember that in times past you who are Gentiles according to the flesh were called uncircumcised (and unclean) by those who were circumcised in their (corruptible) flesh by (man’s) hands;

12 And at that time you were without Christ, and aliens with no citizenship in Israel, and estranged (without knowledge or share in) the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God (believing you were orphans) in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who at one time were far off are made near by the blood (that ran out) of Christ.

14 Because He Himself is the (one that brought) unity (and has made peace between Jew and Gentile in conquering the death that reigned over them), whereby He made both (those who were near and those who were far) one (new man), and has broken down the middle wall of separation that was between us contained in the (confidence of corruptible) flesh;

15 Having abolished (the body of death) in His flesh, (which death brought) the hostility (of our carnal minds toward God’s way unto life), (and whereby He destroyed) even (that which was working death in) the law of commandments (through the carnal mind thinking that life was) contained in (the keeping of) ordinances; so that He could in Himself make from the two (who were both perishing in death) one new man (in immortal flesh and bone), so making peace (and unity);

16 So that He might join us both back together unto Himself in (the unity of) one body (flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone) through the cross, having destroyed death (in the flesh), and the hostility thereby:

17 And (now has He) come preaching that peace (found in the unity of the faith) to both you who were far off and to them that were near.

18 Because through Him (this one new man) do we both have access by one (and the same) Spirit (which raised Him from the dead) and has joined us both in the union (of one body) to the Father.

19 Now therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with those sharing in His life and you are from the household of God (His workmanship);

20 And built upon the (one and only) foundation of (which) the apostles and prophets (spoke), Jesus Christ Himself who is the chief corner stone (and the head of all wisdom to the body);

21 In (Christ) whom the entire body (the church dwells) perfectly joined together (in Him) into an ever-increasing temple (not made with man’s hands) the place which He set apart for you (to dwell) in the Lord:

22 In whom you also are built together (and set apart) for a dwelling of God through the Spirit.