Ephesians 2:6 kjv

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:6 nkjv

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6 niv

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6 esv

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6 nlt

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 6 Meaning

Ephesians 2:6 declares the profound spiritual reality of believers' identification with Christ. Through God's mighty power, He has not only brought those who were spiritually dead (v. 1) to new life (v. 5) but has also symbolically "raised" them from spiritual death and "seated" them with Christ Himself in the realm of divine authority and glory. This "heavenly places" signifies a present spiritual position of immense privilege, access, and security, indicating their shared spiritual destiny and status "in Christ Jesus," their union being the source and sphere of this divine exaltation.

Ephesians 2 6 Context

Ephesians 2:6 is a climactic declaration within Paul's profound exposition of God's grace in salvation. The preceding verses (Eph 2:1-3) paint a bleak picture of humanity's condition: spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, enslaved to the desires of the flesh and the devil, and by nature objects of wrath. Ephesians 2:4-5 then introduces God's monumental intervention, highlighting His rich mercy and great love, resulting in making believers "alive together with Christ" through grace. Verse 6 builds on this, demonstrating the extent of God's transforming power – not only bringing spiritual life but elevating believers to a place of unparalleled spiritual status. The larger context of Ephesians emphasizes the believer's identity "in Christ" and the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into one new humanity, all blessed "in the heavenly places." Historically, the Ephesian church faced a pagan environment rich in diverse spiritual cults; Paul's affirmation here asserts the supremacy and reality of Christ's triumph and the believer's secure position in Him, far above all other powers.

Ephesians 2 6 Word analysis

• and raised us up (συνεγήγειρεν, synegēgeiren): A compound Greek verb combining syn- (with, together with) and egeirō (to raise, awaken). It is in the aorist tense, signifying a completed past action by God. This indicates a corporate act – God raised us spiritually together with Christ. It points to believers' profound spiritual identification with Christ's bodily resurrection, signifying our spiritual liberation from the death of sin.

• with him: This preposition highlights the profound spiritual union. It means "together with Christ," emphasizing the intimate, inseparable bond and shared destiny between Christ and those He saves.

• and seated us (συνεκάθισεν, synekathisen): Another compound Greek verb, syn- (with, together with) and kathizō (to seat, cause to sit). Also in the aorist tense, signifying a completed past act. Just as Christ was seated at God's right hand after completing His redemptive work, believers are co-seated with Him. This implies a present shared position of rest, authority, and rule with Christ over all opposing spiritual forces.

• with him: Reinforces the deep reality of being included in Christ's exaltation. It is Christ's accomplished work that bestows this privileged position upon believers.

• in the heavenly places (ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις, en tois epouraniois): A significant and repeated phrase in Ephesians (Eph 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12). It denotes the spiritual realm where God's ultimate power resides, where Christ is supremely exalted, and where spiritual realities manifest. It's not a future physical location but a present spiritual dimension or sphere of divine activity and authority. It signifies a position of ultimate spiritual privilege, access, and security for the believer, high above earthly limitations and spiritual adversaries.

• in Christ Jesus (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, en Christō Iēsou): A foundational Pauline theological phrase, expressing the core of a believer's new identity. To be "in Christ Jesus" means that believers' past, present, and future are entirely defined by their spiritual union with Him. His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension, and glorification are positionally applied to them, providing the very sphere and foundation of their salvation, security, and existence.

• raised us up with him and seated us with him: This powerful phrase encapsulates the spiritual transformation and positional truth for believers. It illustrates the profound reality of "corporate solidarity" where believers are mystically identified with Christ in all stages of His triumphant work. His victory over death and ascension to the Father's right hand becomes their shared, present spiritual reality, conveying a sense of being completely included in Christ's exaltation and authority.

• in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus: This climactic pairing merges the location of supreme authority and spiritual reality ("in the heavenly places") with the very source and sphere of the believer's existence and standing ("in Christ Jesus"). It means that believers, while still physically on earth, possess a true, spiritual citizenship and position with Christ in the highest divine realms. This understanding empowers believers with an eternal perspective, assuring them of their secure and powerful standing above all earthly circumstances and demonic opposition because their ultimate identity and dwelling are "in Christ."

Ephesians 2 6 Bonus section

The perfect participation indicated by the "syn-" compounds (synegēgeiren, synekathisen) reveals a theological truth where believers are not just beneficiaries of Christ's work, but actual participants in His completed victory. This is a foundational aspect of Pauline theology regarding "union with Christ." This high position in the "heavenly places" is not passive; it equips believers for the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6, providing a divine vantage point and authoritative ground for standing firm against spiritual forces. It asserts that Christ’s resurrection and ascension weren't just about Him, but fundamentally about uniting a people to Himself, bestowing His very status upon them.

Ephesians 2 6 Commentary

Ephesians 2:6 stands as a monumental declaration of God's incredible grace, completing the transformation from utter spiritual death to unparalleled spiritual glory. It extends beyond merely making us alive (v. 5) to placing us with Christ in His supreme position of triumph and authority. The "already" aspect of this truth is vital: our co-resurrection and co-seating are not merely future hopes but accomplished spiritual realities, enacted by God through our union with Christ. This heavenly position impacts our present earthly lives, reminding us that we operate from a place of victory, having direct access to God and sharing in Christ's rule. This divine elevation should lead to a radical shift in perspective, empowering believers to live righteously and courageously, recognizing that they belong to the heavens and participate in Christ's ongoing reign, no longer bound by their past spiritual condition or the powers of this world.