Ephesians 2:1
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.
Explanation:
Before you followed Jesus, you were like someone who was dead inside because of all the wrong things you did.
Ephesians 2:2
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Explanation:
You used to act like the world does—doing wrong things and listening to the devil, who tries to make people disobey God.
Ephesians 2:3
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
Explanation:
We all used to follow our selfish wants, and because of that, we deserved God’s punishment.
Ephesians 2:4
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,
Explanation:
But God is super kind and full of love for us.
Ephesians 2:5
that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Explanation:
Even when we were full of sin, God made us alive again—just like Jesus—because He’s so kind and forgiving.
Ephesians 2:6
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
God lifted us up with Jesus and gave us a place with Him in heaven because we belong to Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7
So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
God shows everyone how good and kind He is by the way He treats us, His followers.
Ephesians 2:8
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Explanation:
You were saved because God is kind, and you believed in Him. You didn’t earn it—it’s a gift!
Ephesians 2:9
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Explanation:
You’re not saved because you were good. No one can brag and say, “I earned this!”
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Explanation:
We are like God’s special artwork. He made us new in Jesus so we can do the good things He always wanted us to do.
Ephesians 2:11
Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.
Explanation:
Remember, if you weren’t born Jewish, people used to say you didn’t belong. They thought only they were close to God, but that was just on the outside.
Ephesians 2:12
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
Explanation:
Before, you didn’t know Jesus. You weren’t part of God’s family, and you didn’t have His promises or hope.
Ephesians 2:13
But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Explanation:
But now, because of Jesus, you’re close to God—even though you used to be far away from Him.
Ephesians 2:14
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.
Explanation:
Jesus made peace between different groups of people. When He died, He broke down the things that kept us apart.
Ephesians 2:15
He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.
Explanation:
Jesus ended the old rules that separated people and made everyone into one new group who follow Him.
Ephesians 2:16
Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
Explanation:
Jesus brought both groups back to God. When He died, He also ended the hate between them.
Ephesians 2:17
He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.
Explanation:
Jesus shared the good news with everyone—people far from God and people close to Him.
Ephesians 2:18
Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
Explanation:
Now everyone can come to God the Father because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Explanation:
You don’t have to feel left out anymore—you belong to God’s people and are part of His family!
Ephesians 2:20
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
Explanation:
We’re like a house built on the teachings of the Bible, and Jesus is the most important part—like the first brick.
Ephesians 2:21
We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
Explanation:
God is putting us all together like bricks in a building, making a special place for Him to live.
Ephesians 2:22
Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
Explanation:
Because of Jesus, you are part of God’s house too, and His Spirit lives in you!