Tree of Life Version
Ephesians 2:11
11Therefore, keep in mind that once you—Gentiles in the flesh—were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision” (which is performed on flesh by hand).
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;
- New International Version (NIV)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)—
- 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—
Context of Ephesians 2:11
9It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them. Therefore, keep in mind that once you—Gentiles in the flesh—were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision” (which is performed on flesh by hand). 12At that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Messiah Yeshua, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.
Read all of Ephesians 2Ephesians 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 once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light
- Deuteronomy 5:15You must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore Adonai your God commanded you to keep Yom Shabbat.
- Deuteronomy 8:2You are to remember all the way that Adonai your God has led you these 40 years in the wilderness—in order to humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His mitzvot or not.
- Deuteronomy 9:7“Remember, never forget, how you provoked Adonai your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Adonai.
- Deuteronomy 15:15You will remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your God redeemed you; therefore I am commanding you this thing today.
- Deuteronomy 16:12You will remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you are to take care and do these statutes.
- Isaiah 51:1“Listen to Me, you who pursue justice, you who seek Adonai. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.
- Ezekiel 16:61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and younger sisters. I will give them to you for daughters, yet not because of your covenant.
- Ezekiel 20:43There you will remember your ways and all your deeds, by which you defiled yourselves. You will loathe yourselves for all your evil that you have done.
- Ezekiel 36:31When you remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, you will be disgusted with yourselves because of your iniquities and your abominations.
- 1 Corinthians 6:11That is what some of you were—but you were washed, you were made holy, you were set right in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah and by the Ruach of our God.
- 1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed by idols that cannot speak, and you got led astray.
- Galatians 4:8But at that time, when you did not know God, you served those who by nature are not gods at all.
- Romans 2:29Rather, the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—in Spirit not in letter. His praise is not from men, but from God.
- Galatians 2:15We are Jews by birth and not sinners from among the Gentiles.
- Galatians 6:12Those wanting to look good outwardly are trying to force you to be circumcised—only so they will not be persecuted for the cross of Messiah.
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
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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