Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's description of the Gentile condition before Christ — 'separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world' — is the starkest description of covenant exclusion in the New Testament. The five-fold description (separated, alienated, strangers, no hope, without God) contrasts with the five-fold blessing of 2:19-22 that describes the new situation: fellow citizens, saints, members of the household, built on the apostles and prophets, with Christ as cornerstone. The 'covenants of promise' (plural: likely referring to the Abrahamic, Sinaitic, Davidic, and new covenant) indicates that Gentile exclusion was from a comprehensive salvation-historical framework, not merely from one institution. The verse grounds cross-cultural reconciliation in the shared prior condition of alienation overcome by Christ's peace (verse 14).
Other Translations
that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
that ye were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;
That you were at that time without Christ, being cut off from any part in Israel's rights as a nation, having no part in God's agreement, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Cross References
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your …
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set …
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and …
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even …
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that …
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your …
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us …
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any …
Thus saith the Lord; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and …