English Standard Version
Ephesians 2:16
16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)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.
Context of Ephesians 2:16
14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Read all of Ephesians 2Ephesians 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 by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
- Colossians 1:21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
- Ephesians 2:15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
- Romans 6:6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
- Romans 8:3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
- Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Colossians 2:14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
- 1 Peter 4:1Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
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
In the dictionaries
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
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