KJV: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
YLT: that ye were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;
Darby: that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
ASV: that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
| ὅτι | that |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| ἦτε | you were |
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Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: εἰμί Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present. |
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| τῷ | at the |
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Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| καιρῷ | time |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: καιρός Sense: due measure. |
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| ἐκείνῳ | that |
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Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ἐκεῖνος Sense: he, she it, etc. |
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| χωρὶς | separate from |
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Parse: Preposition Root: χωρίς Sense: separate, apart. |
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| Χριστοῦ | Christ |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Χριστός Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God. |
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| ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι | alienated from |
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Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἀπαλλοτριόω Sense: to alienate, estrange. |
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| πολιτείας | commonwealth |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: πολιτεία Sense: the administration of civil affairs. |
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| τοῦ | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Ἰσραὴλ | of Israel |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Ἰσραήλ Sense: the name given to the patriarch Jacob (and borne by him in addition to his former name). |
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| ξένοι | strangers |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ξένος Sense: a foreigner, a stranger. |
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| τῶν | to the |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| διαθηκῶν | covenants |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural Root: διαθήκη Sense: a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will. |
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| τῆς | of the |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| ἐπαγγελίας | promise |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular Root: ἐπαγγελία Sense: announcement. |
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| ἐλπίδα | hope |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ἐλπίς Sense: expectation of evil, fear. |
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| ἄθεοι | without God |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: ἄθεος Sense: without God, knowing and worshipping no God. |
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| κόσμῳ | world |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: κόσμος Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government. |
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Greek Commentary for Ephesians 2:12
Ablative case with adverbial preposition χωρις chōris describing their former condition as heathen. [source]
Perfect passive participle of απαλλοτριοω apallotrioō for which see note on Colossians 1:21. Here followed by ablative case πολιτειας politeias old word from πολιτευω politeuō to be a citizen (Philemon 1:27) from πολιτης politēs and that from πολις polis (city). Only twice in N.T., here as commonwealth (the spiritual Israel or Kingdom of God) and Acts 22:28 as citizenship. Strangers from the covenants of the promise (χενοι των διατηκων της επαγγελιας xenoi tōn diathēkōn tēs epaggelias). For χενος xenos (Latin hospes), as stranger see Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:38, and Matthew 25:43.; as guest-friend see note on Romans 16:23. Here it is followed by the ablative case διατηκων diathēkōn Having no hope No hope of any kind. In Galatians 4:8 ουκ ouk (strong negative) occurs with ειδοτες τεον eidotes theon but here μη mē gives a more subjective picture (1 Thessalonians 4:5). Without God (ατεοι atheoi). Old Greek word, not in lxx, only here in N.T. Atheists in the original sense of being without God and also in the sense of hostility to God from failure to worship him. See Paul‘s words in Romans 1:18-32. “In the world” (εν τωι κοσμωι en tōi kosmōi) goes with both phrases. It is a terrible picture that Paul gives, but a true one. [source]
For χενος xenos (Latin hospes), as stranger see Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:38, and Matthew 25:43.; as guest-friend see note on Romans 16:23. Here it is followed by the ablative case διατηκων diathēkōn [source]
No hope of any kind. In Galatians 4:8 ουκ ouk (strong negative) occurs with ειδοτες τεον eidotes theon but here μη mē gives a more subjective picture (1 Thessalonians 4:5). Without God (ατεοι atheoi). Old Greek word, not in lxx, only here in N.T. Atheists in the original sense of being without God and also in the sense of hostility to God from failure to worship him. See Paul‘s words in Romans 1:18-32. “In the world” (εν τωι κοσμωι en tōi kosmōi) goes with both phrases. It is a terrible picture that Paul gives, but a true one. [source]
Old Greek word, not in lxx, only here in N.T. Atheists in the original sense of being without God and also in the sense of hostility to God from failure to worship him. See Paul‘s words in Romans 1:18-32. “In the world” (εν τωι κοσμωι en tōi kosmōi) goes with both phrases. It is a terrible picture that Paul gives, but a true one. [source]
Rev., better, giving the force of the verb, alienated. As they had once been otherwise. Paul speaks ideally of a spiritual commonwealth in which Jew and Gentile were together at peace with God, and of which the commonwealth of Israel is a type. [source]
Selecting the most honorable title to describe the Jew. See on Acts 3:12. The reference is to the spiritual rather than to the national distinction. In being separated from Christ, they were separated from that commonwealth in which, according to the promise, Christ would have been to them, as to the faithful Israelites, the object of their faith and the ground of their salvation. [source]
The several renewals of God's covenant with the patriarchs. [source]
Better, the promise. The messianic promise, which was the basis of all the covenants. [source]
God-forsaken. It might also mean godless or impious. The gentile gods were no gods. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 2:12
Properly, apart from me. So Rev. Compare John 1:3; Ephesians 2:12. [source]
Jesus repeats and applies the metaphor of John 15:1. Apart from me See Ephesians 2:12 for χωρις Χριστου chōris Christou There is nothing for a broken off branch to do but wither and die. For the cosmic relation of Christ see John 1:3 (χωρις αυτου chōris autou). [source]
Originally, order, and hence the order of the world; the ordered universe. So in classical Greek. In the Septuagint, never the world, but the ordered total of the heavenly bodies; the host of heaven (17:3; Isaiah 24:21; 40:26). Compare, also, Proverbs href="/desk/?q=pr+17:6&sr=1">Proverbs 17:6, and see note on James 3:6. In the apocryphal books, of the universe, and mainly in the relation between God and it arising out of the creation. Thus, the king of the world (2 Maccabees 7:9); the creator or founder of the world (2 Maccabees 12:15). In the New Testament: 1. In the classical and physical sense, the universe (John href="/desk/?q=joh+17:5&sr=1">John 17:5; John 21:25.; Romans 1:20; Ephesians 1:4, etc.). 2. As the order of things of which man is the centre (Matthew 13:38; Mark 16:15; Luke 9:25; John 16:21; Ephesians 2:12; 1 Timothy 6:7). 3. Humanity as it manifests itself in and through this order (Matthew 18:7; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:6; Romans 3:19). Then, as sin has entered and disturbed the order of things, and made a breach between the heavenly and the earthly order, which are one in the divine ideal - 4. The order of things which is alienated from God, as manifested in and by the human race: humanity as alienated from God, and acting in opposition to him (John 1:10; John 12:31; John 15:18, John 15:19; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 John 2:15, etc.). The word is used here in the classical sense of the visible creation, which would appeal to the Athenians. Stanley, speaking of the name by which the Deity is known in the patriarchal age, the plural Elohim, notes that Abraham, in perceiving that all the Elohim worshipped by the numerous clans of his race meant one God, anticipated the declaration of Paul in this passage (“Jewish Church,” i., 25). Paul's statement strikes at the belief of the Epicureans, that the world was made by “a fortuitous concourse of atoms,” and of the Stoics, who denied the creation of the world by God, holding either that God animated the world, or that the world itself was God. [source]
The word for “babbler” means “seed-picker” or picker up of seeds Note the use of αν an and the present active optative τελοι theloi conclusion of a fourth-class condition in a rhetorical question (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1021). It means, What would this picker up of seeds wish to say, if he should get off an idea? It is a contemptuous tone of supreme ridicule and doubtless Paul heard this comment. Probably the Epicureans made this sneer that Paul was a charlatan or quack. Other some (οι δε hoi de). But others, in contrast with the “some” just before. Perhaps the Stoics take this more serious view of Paul. He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods This view is put cautiously by δοκει dokei (seems). Καταγγελευς Kataggeleus does not occur in the old Greek, though in ecclesiastical writers, but Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 99) gives an example of the word “on a marble stele recording a decree of the Mitylenaens in honour of the Emperor Augustus,” where it is the herald of the games. Here alone in the N.T. Δαιμονιον Daimonion is used in the old Greek sense of deity or divinity whether good or bad, not in the N.T. sense of demons. Both this word and καταγγελευς kataggeleus are used from the Athenian standpoint. Χενος Xenos is an old word for a guest-friend (Latin hospes) and then host (Romans 16:23), then for foreigner or stranger (Matthew 25:31; Acts 17:21), new and so strange as here and Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 4:12, and then aliens (Ephesians 2:12). This view of Paul is the first count against Socrates: Socrates does wrong, introducing new deities On this charge the Athenians voted the hemlock for their greatest citizen. What will they do to Paul? This Athens was more sceptical and more tolerant than the old Athens. But Roman law did not allow the introduction of a new religion (religio illicita). Paul was walking on thin ice though he was the real master philosopher and these Epicureans and Stoics were quacks. Paul had the only true philosophy of the universe and life with Jesus Christ as the centre (Colossians 1:12-20), the greatest of all philosophers as Ramsay justly terms him. But these men are mocking him. Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection (ευαγγελιζω hoti ton Iēsoun kai tēn anastasin euēggelizato). Reason for the view just stated. Imperfect middle indicative of αναστασις euaggelizō to “gospelize.” Apparently these critics considered anastasis (Resurrection) another deity on a par with Jesus. The Athenians worshipped all sorts of abstract truths and virtues and they misunderstood Paul on this subject. They will leave him as soon as he mentions the resurrection (Acts 17:32). It is objected that Luke would not use the word in this sense here for his readers would not under stand him. But Luke is describing the misapprehension of this group of philosophers and this interpretation fits in precisely. [source]
This view is put cautiously by δοκει dokei (seems). Καταγγελευς Kataggeleus does not occur in the old Greek, though in ecclesiastical writers, but Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 99) gives an example of the word “on a marble stele recording a decree of the Mitylenaens in honour of the Emperor Augustus,” where it is the herald of the games. Here alone in the N.T. Δαιμονιον Daimonion is used in the old Greek sense of deity or divinity whether good or bad, not in the N.T. sense of demons. Both this word and καταγγελευς kataggeleus are used from the Athenian standpoint. Χενος Xenos is an old word for a guest-friend (Latin hospes) and then host (Romans 16:23), then for foreigner or stranger (Matthew 25:31; Acts 17:21), new and so strange as here and Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 4:12, and then aliens (Ephesians 2:12). This view of Paul is the first count against Socrates: Socrates does wrong, introducing new deities On this charge the Athenians voted the hemlock for their greatest citizen. What will they do to Paul? This Athens was more sceptical and more tolerant than the old Athens. But Roman law did not allow the introduction of a new religion (religio illicita). Paul was walking on thin ice though he was the real master philosopher and these Epicureans and Stoics were quacks. Paul had the only true philosophy of the universe and life with Jesus Christ as the centre (Colossians 1:12-20), the greatest of all philosophers as Ramsay justly terms him. But these men are mocking him. Because he preached Jesus and the resurrection (ευαγγελιζω hoti ton Iēsoun kai tēn anastasin euēggelizato). Reason for the view just stated. Imperfect middle indicative of αναστασις euaggelizō to “gospelize.” Apparently these critics considered anastasis (Resurrection) another deity on a par with Jesus. The Athenians worshipped all sorts of abstract truths and virtues and they misunderstood Paul on this subject. They will leave him as soon as he mentions the resurrection (Acts 17:32). It is objected that Luke would not use the word in this sense here for his readers would not under stand him. But Luke is describing the misapprehension of this group of philosophers and this interpretation fits in precisely. [source]
See on Matthew 26:28. Those concluded with the patriarchs since Abraham. See Galatians 3:16, Galatians 3:17; Ephesians 2:12. The plural never occurs in the Old Testament. See on Hebrews 9:16. [source]
Lit. sinners taken from the Gentiles, or sprung from. Sinners, in the conventional Jewish sense; born heathen, and as such sinners; not implying that Jews are not sinners. The Jew regarded the Gentile as impure, and styled him a dog (Matthew 15:27). See Romans 2:12; 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Ephesians 2:12; Luke 18:32; Luke 24:7. Possibly Paul here cites the very words by which Peter sought to justify his separation from the Gentile Christians, and takes up these words in order to draw from them an opposite conclusion. This is quite according to Paul's habit. [source]
Jews. See on Romans 3:30. As children of the messianic covenant. See on Ephesians 2:12. Compare Isaiah 57:9, where the Septuagint reads, peace upon peace to those who are far and to those who are near. [source]
Only here and Colossians 1:20, Colossians 1:21. See on Colossians 1:20. The new man precedes the reconciling in Paul's statement, though, as a fact, the order is the reverse. The verb contains a hint of restoration to a primal unity. See on Ephesians 2:12. [source]
No verb is expressed, but in Ephesians 2:12 Paul repeats οτι εν τωι καιρωι εκεινωι hoti en tōi kairōi ekeinōi (for ποτε pote) “that at that time” and inserts ητε ēte (ye were). Uncircumcision (ακροβυστια akrobustia), circumcision (περιτομης peritomēs). The abstract words are used to describe Gentiles and Jews as in Galatians 5:6; Romans 2:27. Made by hands Agreeing with περιτομης peritomēs Verbal (Mark 14:58) from χειροποιεω cheiropoieō like αχειροποιητος acheiropoiētos in Colossians 2:11. [source]
Ablative case απηλλοτριωμενοι zōēs after δια την αγνοιαν apēllotriōmenoi (Ephesians 2:12). [source]
Locative case. Probably διανοια dianoia It is possible to take απηλλοτριωμενοι ontes with εσκοτωμενοι apēllotriōmenoi (see note on Ephesians 2:12) which would then be periphrastic (instead of της ζωης του τεου eskotōmenoi) perfect passive participle. From the life of God (ζωης tēs zōēs tou theou). Ablative case απηλλοτριωμενοι zōēs after δια την αγνοιαν apēllotriōmenoi (Ephesians 2:12). Because of the ignorance Old word from πωρωσιν agnoeō not to know. Rare in N.T. See note on Acts 3:17. Hardening (pōrōsin). Late medical term (Hippocrates) for callous hardening. Only other N.T. examples are Mark 3:5; Romans 11:25. [source]
Only here, Colossians 1:21, and Ephesians 2:16. The connection is: it was the good pleasure of the Father (Colossians 1:19) to reconcile. The compounded preposition ἀπό gives the force of back, hinting at restoration to a primal unity. So, in Ephesians 2:12-16, it occurs as in Colossians 1:21, in connection with ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι alienatedas if they had not always been strangers. See on Ephesians 2:12. Others explain to reconcile wholly. For the verb καταλλάσσω toreconcile, see on Romans 5:10. [source]
Accusative case in a rather loose sentence, to be explained as the object of the infinitive παραστησαι parastēsai in Colossians 1:22 (note repeated υμας humās there) or as the anticipated object of αποκατηλλαχεν apokatēllaxen if that be the genuine form in Colossians 1:22. It can be the accusative of general reference followed by anacoluthon. See similar idiom in Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:12. [source]
Periphrastic perfect passive participle (continuing state of alienation) of απαλλοτριοω apallotrioō old word from Plato on, to estrange, to render αλλοτριος allotrios (belonging to another), alienated from God, a vivid picture of heathenism as in Romans 1:20-23. Only other N.T. examples in Ephesians 2:12; Ephesians 4:18. Ενεμιες Enemies Old word from εχτος echthos (hatred). Active sense here, hostile as in Matthew 13:28; Romans 8:7, not passive hateful (Romans 11:28). In your mind (τηι διανοιαι tēi dianoiāi). Locative case. Διανοια Dianoia (δια νους diaεν τοις εργοις τοις πονηροις nous), mind, intent, purpose. Old word. It is always a tragedy to see men use their minds actively against God. In your evil works Hostile purpose finds natural expression in evil deeds. [source]
Late word from εκδικεω ekdikeō to vindicate, in Polybius and lxx. To them that know not God (τοις μη ειδοσιν τεον tois mē eidosin theon). Dative plural of perfect active participle ειδως eidōs Apparently chiefly Gentiles in mind (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Galatians 4:8; Romans 1:28; Ephesians 2:12), though Jews are also guilty of wilful ignorance of God (Romans 2:14). And to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Repetition of the article looks like another class and so Jews (Romans 10:16). Both Jews as instigators and Gentiles as officials Note the use of “gospel” here as in Mark 1:15 “believe in the gospel.” [source]
Dative plural of perfect active participle ειδως eidōs Apparently chiefly Gentiles in mind (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Galatians 4:8; Romans 1:28; Ephesians 2:12), though Jews are also guilty of wilful ignorance of God (Romans 2:14). [source]