Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians

1And when ye were dead in your trespasses and sins;

2In which for some time ye walked, according to the course ²⁰⁷ of this world, according to the prince of the power of air, that is, of the spirit that now worketh ²⁰⁸ in the children of disobedience;

3Among whom we all also, for some time, had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, executing what was agreeable to the flesh and to the mind; ²⁰⁹ and were by nature children of wrath, even as others.

4But God, who is rich in mercy, on account of his great love, with which he loved us,

5Even when we were dead in sins, quickened (us) together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved;)

6And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in heavenly (places) in Christ Jesus;

7That he might shew, in the ages to come, the surpassing riches of his grace, in (his) kindness ²¹⁰ toward us in Christ Jesus.

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; (it is) the gift of God.

9Not of works, that no one may boast.

10For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath prepared, that we may walk in them.

11Wherefore remember that you, at one time Gentiles in the flesh, who were called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, made by the hand in the flesh,

12At that time were without Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel ²¹¹ strangers from the tables of promise, ²¹² not having hope, ²¹³ and without God in the world;

13But now in Christ Jesus ²¹⁴ you, who formerly were far off, have been made nigh through the blood of Christ.

14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, ²¹⁵ and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in our flesh;

15Abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments (which is) contained in ordinances, that he might unite in himself the two into one new man, making peace;

16That he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, slaying ²¹⁶ the enmities by it;

17And coming, preached peace to you who were far off, and peace to those who were nigh;

18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

19Therefore ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,

20Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of which Jesus Christ himself is the chief corner-stone;

21In whom the whole building joined together groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;

22In whom ye also are built together ²¹⁷ for a habitation of God in the Spirit.