Study Desk

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^(a)

in which you used to live^(b) when you followed the ways of this world^(c) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(d) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^(e)

All of us also lived among them at one time,^(f) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](g) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us,^(h) God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions⁽ⁱ⁾—it is by grace you have been saved.^(j)

And God raised us up with Christ^(k) and seated us with him^(l) in the heavenly realms^(m) in Christ Jesus,

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,⁽ⁿ⁾ expressed in his kindness^(o) to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace^(p) you have been saved,^(q) through faith^(r)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

not by works,^(s) so that no one can boast.^(t)

For we are God's handiwork,^(u) created^(v) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(w) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Therefore, remember that formerly^(x) 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)^(y)—

remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(z) to the covenants of the promise,^(aa) without hope^(ab) and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(ac) were far away have been brought near^(ad) by the blood of Christ.^(ae)

For he himself is our peace,^(af) who has made the two groups one^(ag) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

by setting aside in his flesh^(ah) the law with its commands and regulations.^(ai) His purpose was to create in himself one^(aj) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(ak) by which he put to death their hostility.

He came and preached peace^(al) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^(am)

For through him we both have access^(an) to the Father^(ao) by one Spirit.^(ap)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(aq) but fellow citizens^(ar) with God's people and also members of his household,^(as)

built^(at) on the foundation^(au) of the apostles and prophets,^(av) with Christ Jesus himself^(aw) as the chief cornerstone.^(ax)

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(ay) in the Lord.

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(az)