Ephesians 2:11

Ephesians 2:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
• New Living Translation (NLT)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.

Context of Ephesians 2:11

9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:11 word by word

Διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι ποτὲ ὑμεῖς τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• rememberμνημονεύωmnēmoneuō · to rememberG3421
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• yeσύsu · youG4771
• in time pastποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• Gentilesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Gentilesἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• calledλέγωlegō · to say: callG3004
• Uncircumcisionἀκροβυστίαakrobustia · uncircumcisionG203
• byὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• the Circumcisionπεριτομήperitomē · circumcisionG4061
• made by handsχειροποίητοςcheiropoiētos · hand-madeG5499

Cross-references for Ephesians 2:11

• Ephesians 5:8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
• Deuteronomy 5:15Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.
• Deuteronomy 8:2Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
• Deuteronomy 9:7Remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.
• Deuteronomy 15:15Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
• Deuteronomy 16:12Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.
• Isaiah 51:1“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
• Ezekiel 16:61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant with you.
• Ezekiel 20:43There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done.
• Ezekiel 36:31Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.
• 1 Corinthians 6:11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
• 1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
• Galatians 4:8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.
• Romans 2:29No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
• Galatians 2:15“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles
• Galatians 6:12Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Commentaries on Ephesians 2:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Wherefore remember - That ye may ever see and feel your obligations to live a pure and holy life, and be unfeignedly thankful to God for your salvation, remember that ye were once heathens in the flesh - without the pure doctrine, and under the influence of your corrupt nature; such as by the Jew's (who gloried, in consequence of their circumcision, to be in covenant with God) were called uncircumcision; i.e. persons out of the Divine covenant, and having…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Wherefore remember - The design of this evidently is, to excite a sense of gratitude in their bosoms for that mercy which had called them from the errors and sins of their former lives, to the privileges of Christians. It is a good thing for Christians to “remember” what they were. No faculty of the mind can be better employed to produce humility, penitence, gratitude, and love, than the memory. It is well to recall the recollection of our former sins; to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-13Verses 11-13 Christ and his covenant are the foundation of all the Christian's hopes. A sad and terrible description is here; but who is able to remove himself out of it? Would that this were not a true description of many baptized in the name of Christ. Who can, without trembling, reflect upon the misery of a person, separated for ever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11Traditionally, Jews avoided Gentiles and did not consider them part of God’s people. They called them uncircumcised, meaning they had not received the sign of the covenant (see Genesis 17:9–14). But Paul taught that it is shallow to judge people based only on outward signs. What matters is a person’s heart and faith. In Christ, physical circumcision does not make someone part of God’s family (see Romans 2:28–29).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. The Greek order in the oldest manuscripts is, "That in time past (literally, once) ye," &c. Such remembrance sharpens gratitude and strengthens faith (Ep 2:19) [Bengel]. Gentiles in the flesh--that is, Gentiles in respect to circumcision. called Uncircumcision--The Gentiles were called (in contempt), and were, the Uncircumcision; the Jews were called, but were not truly, the Circumcision [Ellicott]. in the flesh made by hands--as opposed to the true…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 2:11

• Circumcision
• Depravity of Man
• Uncircumcision

In the dictionaries

• Afar
• Alien
• Church
• Create
• Cross
• Desire
• Nigh
• Prince
• Quicken
• Reconcile

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