Study Desk

And you were dead^(a) in your trespasses and sins

in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(b) according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens,^[a](c) the spirit^(d) now working in the disobedient.^[b]

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.

But God, who is rich in mercy,^(h) because of His great love⁽ⁱ⁾ that He had for us,^[c]

made us alive^(j) with the Messiah even though we were dead^(k) in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens,^(l)

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.

For you are saved by grace^(p) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift—

not from works, so that no one can boast.

For we are His creation, created^(q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(r) so that we should walk in them.

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)

At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise,^(u) without hope^(v) and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(w) of the Messiah.

For He is our peace, who made both groups one^(x) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh,

He made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that He might create^(y) in Himself one^(z) new man from the two, resulting in peace.

He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body^(aa) through the cross and put the hostility to death by it.^[d]

When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news^(ab) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^(ac)

For through Him we both have access^(ad) by one Spirit to the Father.^(ae)

So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household,

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(af) with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

The whole building, being put together^(ag) by Him, grows into a holy sanctuary in the Lord.^(ah)

You also are being built together^(ai) for God's dwelling^(aj) in the Spirit.