Ephesians 2:19 kjv

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Ephesians 2:19 nkjv

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:19 niv

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household,

Ephesians 2:19 esv

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:19 nlt

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 19 Meaning

Ephesians 2:19 declares a profound transformation in the spiritual status of those who come to faith in Christ, particularly emphasizing the inclusion of Gentiles alongside Jewish believers. It signifies that former spiritual outcasts are now fully integrated into God's community, having shifted from a state of alienation to one of intimate belonging and full rights within the divine family. This new identity is marked by common citizenship in God’s kingdom and membership in His very own household.

Ephesians 2 19 Context

Ephesians Chapter 2 thoroughly outlines humanity's dire spiritual state apart from Christ, followed by God's gracious intervention. Verses 1-3 describe Gentiles (and all humanity) as spiritually dead, slaves to sin, and subjects of divine wrath. Verses 4-10 reveal God's immense mercy and love, showing that by grace through faith in Christ, humanity is made alive, saved, and raised with Christ. Verses 11-12 specifically address the unique plight of Gentiles: their former alienation from Israel’s covenants of promise, their lack of Christ and hope, and being without God in the world. However, verses 13-18 proclaim Christ’s transformative work: through His blood, He brought Gentiles near to God. He abolished the dividing wall of hostility (a clear reference to the temple barrier separating Jews and Gentiles, but also the Law that created animosity) and, through His sacrifice on the cross, created "one new humanity" from Jew and Gentile. He reconciled both to God in one body and granted direct access to the Father by one Spirit. Verse 19 serves as the triumphant conclusion to this exposition, articulating the profound new status of Gentiles – and by extension, all believers – as fully integrated members of God's people and family, a privilege unimaginable in the prior Jewish-Gentile divide. Historically, this declaration shattered prevalent societal and religious segregation, offering radical unity within the nascent Christian community.

Ephesians 2 19 Word analysis

• So then (Ἄρα οὖν - Ara oun): A strong logical connective indicating a conclusive inference. It emphasizes that what follows is a direct, undeniable consequence of Christ's reconciling work detailed in the preceding verses (especially Eph 2:13-18). This isn't just a suggestion, but a declaration of the new reality established by God.
• you are no longer (οὐκέτι - ouketi): Signifies a definitive cessation of a former condition. The past state is entirely terminated; the old status is abolished. This points to a radical and permanent break from prior alienation.
• strangers (ξένοι - xenoi): Refers to foreign visitors, outsiders, or those without rights, land, or a recognized place within a society. In a spiritual sense, it denotes being utterly disconnected from God’s covenants and His people, lacking standing or belonging in His divine order.
• and aliens (πάροικοι - paroikoi): Literally "resident foreigners" or "sojourners." While they might live among the people, they remained outside the full body of citizens. They might have limited permissions but lacked full civic or spiritual privileges and identity within ancient Israel. The combination with xenoi powerfully underscores a deep outsider status.
• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast and complete reversal of status. It powerfully highlights the abrupt and gracious transformation.
• fellow citizens (συμπολῖται - sympolitai): A powerful term derived from Greek civic life. "Politeia" refers to citizenship, a highly prized status in the Roman Empire conferring rights, privileges, and protection. Sympolitai means "co-citizens," emphasizing equal and full shared rights and identity with other established members of God's "commonwealth," that is, His kingdom and people.
• with the saints (τῶν ἁγίων - tōn hagiōn): "Saints" here refers to all believers, both Jewish and Gentile, living and historical, who are set apart and consecrated by God. It emphasizes that new Gentile converts share the exact same holy standing and status as all of God’s redeemed people, without any distinction or secondary status.
• and members (καὶ οἰκεῖοι - kai oikeioi): Moving beyond citizenship, this word denotes belonging to a "household" (oikos). Oikeioi implies close familial relationship, intimacy, shared inheritance, and mutual obligation within a family unit. This term goes beyond formal civic ties to intimate family connection.
• of the household of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): The ultimate expression of inclusion. Believers are not merely part of God's commonwealth but are welcomed into His immediate family. This implies profound intimacy, security, provision, and eternal belonging with God as Father and with each other as siblings. It's the most secure and loving relationship possible.

Ephesians 2 19 Bonus section

The profound implications of Ephesians 2:19 extend to the very nature of the Church, highlighting it as God's spiritual household and holy temple (Eph 2:20-22). This verse directly informed the apostles' radical missionary endeavors to the Gentiles, justifying their full inclusion without needing to first become Jews. It emphasizes that salvation in Christ not only reconciles individuals to God but fundamentally transforms the very fabric of human relationships within the Body of Christ. The imagery also undergirds the New Testament teaching on mutual care, love, and spiritual unity, as household members are intrinsically bound together, fostering a spirit of interdependence and shared inheritance under God the Father. This shift from strangers and aliens to intimate family members reveals the extent of God’s restorative power and His desire for an intimate, unified community of His people.

Ephesians 2 19 Commentary

Ephesians 2:19 stands as a pivotal statement, articulating the magnificent outcome of Christ's reconciling work on the cross. It progresses from detailing humanity's prior state of spiritual death and alienation (Eph 2:1-3, 11-12) and the "how" of salvation (by grace through faith, breaking down hostility in Christ, Eph 2:4-18) to defining the "who" – the radically transformed identity and secure belonging of believers, especially former Gentile outsiders. Before Christ, Gentiles were not only socially and ceremonially excluded by Jews but, more fundamentally, were spiritually disconnected from God’s covenants and His chosen community, seen as utterly foreign and having no rightful place.

Paul powerfully counters this with a double metaphor for the believer’s new reality: civic and familial. Firstly, believers are "fellow citizens with the saints." This means they now share the full rights, privileges, and responsibilities of God’s heavenly kingdom and spiritual community. The once-excluded Gentiles are now granted equal standing and full inclusion with the "saints"—the collective body of God's holy people, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile believers. Secondly, and representing an even deeper level of intimacy, they are "members of the household of God." This profound metaphor signifies adoption into God’s very own family. It moves beyond legal citizenship to imply inherent relationship, shared inheritance, love, provision, and ultimate security within the most intimate unit—God’s own home. This complete reversal underscores that God's grace not only saves but integrates believers fully into His very being, establishing a new, unified family under His divine headship.

• Examples for Practical Usage:
  • Belonging: Someone who has always felt isolated or an "outsider" can find deep comfort and identity in being truly "home" in God's household.
  • Unity: Challenges any elitism or division within the Christian community, reminding believers that all are equally valued members of the same family and kingdom.
  • Purpose: Being a "fellow citizen" implies a shared responsibility in God's kingdom work, participating actively alongside all other believers.