Eph 2:14-21 | KJV | STEP | For he is our peace , who hath made both one , and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us ;

Eph 2: 14

(KJV)

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

(NASB2020)

For He Himself is ^aour peace, ^bwho made both groups into one and broke down the ^{▼▼Lit the dividing wall of the barrier}barrier of the dividing wall,

(NET2full)

For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one ^{▼▼tn Grk “who made the both one.”} and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility,

Eph 2: 15

(KJV)

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;

(NASB2020)

^{▼▼Or the hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the Law}by ^fabolishing ^{▼▼I.e., by His death}in His flesh the hostility, which is ^hthe Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might ^{▼▼Lit create} ^jmake the two ^kone new person, in this way establishing ^lpeace;

(NET2full)

when he nullified ^{▼▼tn Or “rendered inoperative.” This is a difficult text to translate because it is not easy to find an English term which communicates well the essence of the author’s meaning, especially since legal terminology is involved. Many other translations use the term “abolish” (so NRSV, NASB, NIV84), but this term implies complete destruction which is not the author’s meaning here. The verb καταργέω (katargeō) can readily have the meaning “to cause someth. to lose its power or effectiveness” (BDAG 525 s.v. 2, where this passage is listed), and this meaning fits quite naturally here within the author’s legal mindset. A proper English term which communicates this well is “nullify” since this word carries the denotation of “making something legally null and void.” This is not, however, a common English word. An alternate term like “rendered inoperative [or ineffective]” is also accurate but fairly inelegant. For this reason, the translation retains the term “nullify”; it is the best choice of the available options, despite its problems.} in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man ^{▼▼tn In this context the author is not referring to a new individual, but instead to a new corporate entity united in Christ (cf. BDAG 497 s.v. καινός 3.b: “All the Christians together appear as κ. ἄνθρωπος Eph 2:15”). This is clear from the comparison made between the Gentiles and Israel in the immediately preceding verses and the assertion in v. 14 that Christ “made both groups into one.” This is a different metaphor than the “new man” of Eph 4:24; in that passage the “new man” refers to the new life a believer has through a relationship to Christ.} out of two, ^{▼▼tn Grk “in order to create the two into one new man.” Eph 2:14-16 is one sentence in Greek. A new sentence was started here in the translation for clarity since contemporary English is less tolerant of extended sentences.} thus making peace,

Eph 2: 16

(KJV)

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

(NASB2020)

and that He might ^preconcile them both in ^qone body to God through the cross, ^{▼▼Or in Himself}by it having ^sput to death the hostility.

(NET2full)

and to reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by which the hostility has been killed. ^{▼▼tn Grk “by killing the hostility in himself.”}

Eph 2: 17

(KJV)

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

(NASB2020)

And ^uHe came and preached ^vpeace to you who were ^wfar away, and peace to those who were ^xnear;

(NET2full)

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,

Eph 2: 18

(KJV)

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

(NASB2020)

for through Him we both have ^your access in ^zone Spirit to ^aathe Father.

(NET2full)

so that ^{▼▼tn Or “for.” BDAG gives the consecutive ὅτι (hoti) as a possible category of NT usage (BDAG 732 s.v. 5.c).} through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Eph 2: 19

(KJV)

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

(NASB2020)

So then you are no longer ^acstrangers and foreigners, but you are ^adfellow citizens with the ^{▼▼Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people}saints, and are of ^afGod’s household,

(NET2full)

So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

Eph 2: 20

(KJV)

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

(NASB2020)

having been ^agbuilt on ^ahthe foundation of ^aithe apostles and prophets, ^ajChrist Jesus Himself being the ^akcornerstone,

(NET2full)

because you have been built ^{▼▼tn Grk “having been built.”} on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ^{▼▼sn Apostles and prophets. Because the prophets appear after the mention of the apostles and because they are linked together in 3:5 as recipients of revelation about the church, they are to be regarded not as Old Testament prophets, but as New Testament prophets.} with Christ Jesus himself as ^{▼▼tn Grk “while Christ Jesus himself is” or “Christ Jesus himself being.”} the cornerstone. ^{▼▼tn Or perhaps “capstone” (NAB). The meaning of ἀκρογωνιαῖος (akrogōniaios) is greatly debated. The meaning “capstone” is proposed by J. Jeremias (TDNT 1:792), but the most important text for this meaning (T. Sol. 22:7-23:4) is late and possibly not even an appropriate parallel. The only place ἀκρογωνιαῖος is used in the LXX is Isa 28:16, and there it clearly refers to a cornerstone that is part of a foundation. Furthermore, the imagery in this context has the building growing off the cornerstone upward, whereas if Christ were the capstone, he would not assume his position until the building was finished, which vv. 21-22 argue against.}

Eph 2: 21

(KJV)

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

(NASB2020)

^apin whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into ^aqa holy ^{▼▼Or sanctuary}temple in the Lord,

(NET2full)

In him ^{▼▼tn Grk “in whom” (v. 21 is a relative clause, subordinate to v. 20).} the whole building, ^{▼▼tc Although several significant witnesses (א1 A C P 6 81 326 1739c 1881) have πᾶσα ἡ οἰκοδομή (pasa hē oikodomē), instead of πᾶσα οἰκοδομή (the reading of א* B D F G Ψ 33 1175 1505 1739* Maj), the article is almost surely a scribal addition intended to clarify the meaning of the text, for with the article the meaning is unambiguously “the whole building.”} ^{▼▼tn Or “every building.” Although “every building” is a more natural translation of the Greek, it does not fit as naturally into the context, which (with its emphasis on corporate unity) seems to stress the idea of one building.} being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,