Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, New Living Translation For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. English Standard Version For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility Berean Standard Bible For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility Berean Literal Bible For He Himself is our peace, having made both one and having broken down the barrier of the partition of hostility, King James Bible For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; New King James Version For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, New American Standard Bible For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, NASB 1995 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, NASB 1977 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Legacy Standard Bible For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition Amplified Bible For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], Christian Standard Bible For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, Holman Christian Standard Bible For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh, American Standard Version For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, Contemporary English Version Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Christ gave his own body English Revised Version For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, GOD'S WORD® Translation So he is our peace. In his body he has made Jewish and non-Jewish people one by breaking down the wall of hostility that kept them apart. Good News Translation For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. International Standard Version For it is he who is our peace. Through his mortality he made both groups one by tearing down the wall of hostility that divided them. Majority Standard Bible For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility NET Bible For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility, New Heart English Bible For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, Webster's Bible Translation For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Weymouth New Testament For He is our peace--He who has made Jews and Gentiles one, and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile dividing wall, World English Bible For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor He is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of the partition of hostility, Berean Literal Bible For He Himself is our peace, having made both one and having broken down the barrier of the partition of hostility, Young's Literal Translation for he is our peace, who did make both one, and the middle wall of the enclosure did break down, Smith's Literal Translation For he is our peace, having made both one, and having loosed the middle partition wall of the enclosure; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh: Catholic Public Domain Version For he is our peace. He made the two into one, by dissolving the intermediate wall of separation, of opposition, by his flesh, New American Bible For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, New Revised Standard Version For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the fence of separation between them; Aramaic Bible in Plain English For he is our peace who made the two one, and he destroyed the wall that was standing in the middle. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor he is our peace, who has made both parties one, and broken down the partition wall that separated us, Godbey New Testament For he is our peace, the one having made both one, and having broken down the middle wall of partition, Haweis New Testament For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of separation, Mace New Testament for he is our peace-maker, who hath united both Jew and Gentile, and hath by his flesh broken down the middle wall of partition Weymouth New Testament For He is our peace--He who has made Jews and Gentiles one, and in His own human nature has broken down the hostile dividing wall, Worrell New Testament For He is our peace, Who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of the partition, Worsley New Testament For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and removed the wall of partition from between us; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context One in Christ…13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace… Cross References Colossians 1:20-22 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. / Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. / But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence— Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: / that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Micah 5:5 And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels. We will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. Romans 15:5-7 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, / so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. / Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God. Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. Zechariah 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. Acts 10:34-36 Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. / He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Treasury of Scripture For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; our. Isaiah 9:6,7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace… Ezekiel 34:24,25 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it… Micah 5:5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. both. Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Ephesians 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. the middle. Esther 3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Colossians 2:10-14,20 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: … Jump to Previous Barrier Break Broke Broken Destroyed Dividing Enclosure Gentiles Groups Hostile Hostility Human Jews Middle Nature Partition Peace WallJump to Next Barrier Break Broke Broken Destroyed Dividing Enclosure Gentiles Groups Hostile Hostility Human Jews Middle Nature Partition Peace WallEphesians 2 1. By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,10. he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ, 19. should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God. For He Himself This phrase emphasizes the personal and active role of Jesus Christ in the reconciliation process. The Greek word "autos" (αὐτός) underscores the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ in achieving peace. In a historical context, this reflects the early Christian understanding that salvation and unity are found solely in Christ, not through human efforts or adherence to the law. is our peace who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility (14) He (Himself) is our peace.--There is clearly allusion, as to the many promises in the Old Testament of the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:5-6, et al.), so still more to the "Peace of Earth" of the angelic song of Bethlehem, and to the repeated declarations of our Lord, such as, "Peace I leave with you: My peace I give unto you." Here, however, only is our Lord called not the giver of peace, but the peace itself--His own nature being the actual tie of unity between God and mankind, and between man and man. Through the whole passage thus introduced there runs a double meaning, a declaration of peace in Christ between Jew and Gentile, and between both and God; though it is not always easy to tell of any particular expression, whether it belongs to this or that branch of the meaning, or to both. It is well to compare it with the obvious parallel in Colossians 2:13-14, where (in accordance with the whole genius of that Epistle) there is found only the latter branch of the meaning, the union of all with the Head, not the unity of the various members of the Body. Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.--In this verse the former subject is begun. The reunion of Jew and Gentile is described in close connection with the breaking down of "the middle wall of the partition" (or, hedge). The words "between us" are not in the original, and Chrysostom interprets the partition as being, not between Jew and Gentile, but between both and God. But the former idea seems at any rate to predominate in this clause. Whether "the middle wall of the hedge" refers to the wall separating the court of the Gentiles from the Temple proper (Jos. Ant. xv. ? 5), and by an inscription denouncing death to any alien who passed it (see Lewin's St. Paul, vol. ii., p. 133), or to the "hedge" set about the vineyard of the Lord (Isaiah 5:2; comp. Matthew 22:33)--to which probably the Jewish doctors alluded when they called their ceremonial and legal subtleties "the hedge" of the Law--has been disputed. It may, however, be noted that the charge of bringing Trophimus, an Ephesian, beyond that Temple wall had been the cause of St. Paul's apprehension at Jerusalem (Acts 21:29), and nearly of his death. Hence the Asiatic churches might well be familiar with its existence. It is also notable that this Temple-partition suits perfectly the double sense of this passage: for, while it was primarily a separation between Jew and Gentile, it was also the first of many partitions--of which the "veil of the Temple" was the last--cutting all men off from the immediate presence of God. At our Lord's death the last of these partitions was rent in twain; how much more may that death be described as breaking down the first! . . . Verse 14. - For he is our peace. Explanatory of the preceding verse - of the way by which we are brought nigh. Christ is not only our Peacemaker, but our Peace, and that in the fullest sense, the very substance and living spring of it, establishing it at the beginning, keeping it up to the end; and the complex notion of peace is here not only peace between Jew and Gentile, but between God and both. Consult Old Testament predictions of peace in connection with Messiah (Isaiah 9:5, 6; Micah 5:5; Zechariah 9:10, etc.). Who made both one; literally, both things, both elements; so that there is now no ground for separating between a Jewish element and a Gentile; they are unified. And broke down the middle wall of the partition. The general idea is obvious; the particular allusion is less easily seen. Some think it is to the veil that separated the holy of holies from the holy place (Hebrews 10:20); but that could hardly be called a wall. Others the wall that separated the court of the Jew from that of the Gentiles; but that wall was literally standing when the apostle wrote, and besides, the Ephesians could not be supposed to be so familiar with it as to make it a suitable illustration for them. In the absence of any specific allusion, it is best to understand the words generally, "broke down that which served as a middle wall of partition" - what is mentioned immediately in the following verse.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Forγάρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. He Himself Αὐτὸς (Autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. peace, εἰρήνη (eirēnē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1515: Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity. who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. has made ποιήσας (poiēsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. the two ἀμφότερα (amphotera) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 297: Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both. one ἓν (hen) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. has torn down λύσας (lysas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dividing μεσότοιχον (mesotoichon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3320: A middle wall, partition wall, barrier. From mesos and toichos; a partition. wall φραγμοῦ (phragmou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5418: A hedge, fence, partition. From phrasso; a fence, or inclosing barrier. of hostility ἔχθραν (echthran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2189: Enmity, hostility, alienation. Feminine of echthros; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition. Links Ephesians 2:14 NIVEphesians 2:14 NLT Ephesians 2:14 ESV Ephesians 2:14 NASB Ephesians 2:14 KJV Ephesians 2:14 BibleApps.com Ephesians 2:14 Biblia Paralela Ephesians 2:14 Chinese Bible Ephesians 2:14 French Bible Ephesians 2:14 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace who made (Ephes. Eph. Ep) |