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:
• 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.
• 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 the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

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 God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
• 2 Corinthians 5:18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
• Colossians 1:21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
• Ephesians 2:15by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
• Romans 6:6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—
• Romans 8:3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh,
• Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Colossians 2:14having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
• 1 Peter 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with 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

• 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