Ephesians 2:16

Ephesians 2:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
• New International Version (NIV)and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

Context of Ephesians 2:16

14For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], 15by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thereby establishing peace. And [that He] might reconcile them both [Jew and Gentile, united] in one body to God through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility. 17And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near. 18For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:16 word by word

καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• that heαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• might reconcileἀποκαταλλάσσωapokatallassō · to reconcileG604
• bothἀμφότεροςamphoteros · bothG297
• unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• the crossσταυρόςstauros · crossG4716
• having slainἀποκτείνωapokteinō · to killG615
• the enmityἔχθραechthra · hostilityG2189

Cross-references for Ephesians 2:16

• Romans 5:10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].
• 2 Corinthians 5:18But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him],
• Colossians 1:21And although you were at one time estranged and alienated and hostile-minded [toward Him], participating in evil things,
• Ephesians 2:15by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thereby establishing peace.
• Romans 6:6We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.
• Romans 8:3For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son],
• Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
• Colossians 2:14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of legal demands [which were in force] against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross.
• 1 Peter 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],

Commentaries on Ephesians 2:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16That he might reconcile both - in one body - That the Jews and Gentiles, believing on the Lord Jesus, might lay aside all their causes of contention, and become one spiritual body, or society of men, influenced by the Spirit, and acting according to the precepts of the Gospel. Having slain the enmity thereby - Having, by his death upon the cross, made reconciliation between God and man, and by his Spirit in their hearts removed the enmity of their fallen…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16And that he might reconcile both unto God - This was another of the effects of the work of redemption, and indeed the main effect. It was not merely to make them harmonious, but it was that both, who had been alienated from God, should be reconciled to “him.” This was a different effect from that of producing peace between themselves, though in some sense the one grew out of the other. They who are reconciled to God will be at peace with each other. They…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-18Verses 14-18 Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of himself; in every sense Christ was their Peace, the author, centre, and substance of their being at peace with God, and of their union with the Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into his presence, with their worship and services, under the teaching of the Holy…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Christ's death on the cross reconciles humans to God. It also reconciles Jews and Gentiles to each other.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Translate, "might altogether reconcile them both in one body (the Church, Col 3:15) unto God through His cross." The Greek for "reconcile" (apocatalaxe), found only here and in Col 1:20, expresses not only a return to favor with one (catallage), but so to lay aside enmity that complete amity follows; to pass from enmity to complete reconciliation [Tittmann]. slain the enmity--namely, that had been between man and God; and so that between Jew and…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 2:16

• Atonement
• Blood
• Catholicity
• Church
• Cross
• Fellowship
• God
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Peace
• Reconciliation

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Afar
• Alien
• Church
• Create
• Cross
• Death
• Desire
• Enmity

Commentaries on Ephesians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings