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Ephesians 2

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1You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, 2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; 3among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; 8for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, that no one would boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. 11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision”, (in the flesh, made by hands); 12that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; 21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

World English Bible (public domain)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:8

Summary

Ephesians chapter 2 highlights the transformative power of God's grace and the unity it brings. The chapter begins by describing the believers' past state of spiritual death and disobedience due to sin, emphasizing the inability to attain salvation through personal effort or adherence to law. It then transitions to the miraculous intervention of God, being rich in mercy, who made believers alive with Christ, signifying salvation as a gift of grace through faith. Moreover, the chapter discusses the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, with Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. Through His death, both groups are united into one new humanity, creating a peace that brings them access to the Father by one Spirit. The chapter concludes by portraying believers as members of God's household, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, forming a holy temple in the Lord.

Key Themes

gracesalvationunityreconciliation

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What is Ephesians 2 about?+
Ephesians chapter 2 highlights the transformative power of God's grace and the unity it brings. The chapter begins by describing the believers' past state of spiritual death and disobedience due to sin, emphasizing the inability to attain salvation through personal effort or adherence to law. It then transitions to the miraculous intervention of God, being rich in mercy, who made believers alive with Christ, signifying salvation as a gift of grace through faith. Moreover, the chapter discusses the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, with Christ breaking down the dividing wall of hostility. Through His death, both groups are united into one new humanity, creating a peace that brings them access to the Father by one Spirit. The chapter concludes by portraying believers as members of God's household, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, forming a holy temple in the Lord.
What is the key verse in Ephesians 2?+
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,"
What are the main themes of Ephesians 2?+
The main themes of Ephesians 2 are grace, salvation, unity, reconciliation.

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