Ephesians 2:11 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;

Ephesians 2:11 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?

Ephesians 2:11 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)?

Ephesians 2:11 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 ?

Ephesians 2:11 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.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 11 Meaning

This verse calls Gentile believers to actively remember their past identity and former state of separation. It highlights that they were once defined by their non-Jewish ethnicity, labeled "Uncircumcision" by Jewish people ("Circumcision") who strictly adhered to a physical mark as a sign of covenant distinctiveness. This distinction, emphasized by the phrase "in the flesh," underscored a profound division and alienation between these two groups prior to the work of Christ.

Ephesians 2 11 Context

Ephesians 2:11 initiates a crucial section (vv. 11-22) following Paul's description of God's sovereign grace in saving both Jews and Gentiles who were spiritually dead (vv. 1-10). Having established their common experience of sin and salvation, Paul now addresses the Gentile believers specifically. He urges them to recall their former alienated status, both from God's covenants and from the community of Israel. This reminder serves to magnify the reconciliation and unity achieved through Christ, which is the central theme of the subsequent verses, ultimately demonstrating how Christ dissolved the deep-seated ethnic and religious hostility between Jews and Gentiles to form "one new man." Historically, a rigid separation existed, with Jews often regarding Gentiles with contempt due to their uncircumcised state, seeing it as a sign of their exclusion from the covenant.

Ephesians 2 11 Word analysis

• Therefore (Διὸ - Dio): A strong logical connective, signifying "for this reason" or "because of this." It links the previous truth of their salvation by grace (Eph 2:1-10) to the ensuing call for remembering their past state as Gentiles.
• remember (μνημονεύετε - mnēmoneuete): Present imperative verb, calling for continuous, active recollection. It is not just a fleeting thought, but a mindful consideration of their prior condition to foster humility, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation of Christ's work.
• that formerly (ποτέ - pote): Denotes a past time, setting up a contrast with their current reconciled status in Christ.
• you, the Gentiles (ὑμεῖς τὰ ἔθνη - hymeis ta ethnē): "You" is emphatic, directly addressing the recipients, primarily non-Jews. "Ethnē" specifically refers to the nations or peoples outside of Israel, often carrying the connotation of pagans or foreigners.
• in the flesh (ἐν σαρκί - en sarki): This crucial phrase appears twice in the verse, with distinct but related meanings.
  • First instance (referring to Gentiles): Emphasizes their physical and ethnic identity as non-Jews, often associated with their unregenerate nature before Christ, ruled by carnal desires (as in Rom 8:8, Gal 5:19). It defines their status from a human perspective.
  • Second instance (referring to 'Circumcision'): Stresses the physical act of circumcision, contrasting it with any spiritual significance or reality. It points to a reliance on outward, bodily marks for religious identity or perceived superiority, which Paul consistently opposes (e.g., Rom 2:28-29; Phil 3:3).
• who are called (λεγόμενοι - legomenoi): This participle highlights that "Uncircumcision" was a label or designation given to them by others, specifically the Jews. It implies a socially constructed identity rather than an intrinsic, ultimate spiritual state.
• 'Uncircumcision' (ἀκροβυστία - akrobustia): Literally "foreskin," but used metonymically to refer to uncircumcised people (the Gentiles). This term was often used by Jews as a derogatory epithet for non-Jews, signifying impurity and exclusion from God's covenant.
• by that which is called (ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης - hypo tēs legomenēs): Again, "called" highlights a human-assigned label. "That which" points to a collective identity.
• 'Circumcision' (περιτομῆς - peritomēs): This term here refers metonymically to the Jewish people themselves, those who practiced and relied upon the physical rite of circumcision as their mark of identity and covenant membership.

Ephesians 2 11 Bonus section

• The rhetorical pairing of "Circumcision" and "Uncircumcision" sharply underscores the previous deep-seated antagonism and the symbolic nature of the division between Jews and Gentiles.
• Paul's deliberate use of "called" (λεγόμενοι/λεγομένης) rather than stating a definitive "who were" subtly critiques the absolute spiritual authority or finality that was often ascribed to these human designations, particularly to the physical rite of circumcision, as the basis of a relationship with God.
• This verse effectively sets up the revelation in the following verses (Eph 2:14-16) that Christ is the ultimate Peacemaker who destroyed this very wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile. It presents the "two old men" before introducing the concept of the "one new man" in Christ.
• The emphasis on "in the flesh" contrasts implicitly with the believer's current reality "in Christ" or "in the Spirit," highlighting a transition from a worldly, unregenerate identity to a spiritual, regenerate one.

Ephesians 2 11 Commentary

Ephesians 2:11 is a profound reminder for Gentile believers, anchoring their present spiritual blessings in the stark reality of their former state. Paul urges them to recall that prior to Christ, their identity was defined by exclusion – they were ethnically Gentiles, often disdainfully labeled "Uncircumcision" by those who identified themselves as "Circumcision." This was not just a name; it was a deep cultural and religious chasm, emphasizing a physical mark as the basis for identity and belonging. The repeated phrase "in the flesh" underscores that these distinctions were based on outward, physical, and humanly established criteria, rather than a spiritual reality. This serves as a vital historical and theological backdrop, amplifying the radical peace and unity that Christ would achieve by transcending such divisive human barriers, forming one new humanity where physical distinctions no longer define spiritual status. Practically, this verse encourages humility, profound gratitude for salvation, and a keen awareness of how God redefines identity in Christ, removing all human distinctions that divide.