Epheser 2
1 auch euch, die ihr tot waret in euren Vergehungen und Sünden,
Formerly, because you were habitually sinning [DOU], you were ([spiritually] dead/[as unable to please God as a] corpse [MET] is).
2 in welchen ihr einst wandeltet nach dem Zeitlauf dieser Welt, nach dem Fürsten der Gewalt der Luft, des Geistes, der jetzt wirksam ist in den Söhnen des Ungehorsams; (aiōn g165)
You were acting in the same [evil] way as those who oppose Christ [MTY] act. That is, you were behaving in the [evil] ways [that Satan wanted you to behave]. He rules over evil spiritual beings that no person can see [MTY]. He is the spirit who now powerfully controls the people who disobey God. (aiōn g165)
3 unter welchen auch wir einst alle unseren Verkehr hatten in den Lüsten unseres Fleisches, indem wir den Willen des Fleisches und der Gedanken taten und von Natur Kinder des Zorns waren, wie auch die übrigen.
Formerly, we all used to disobey God as they do. We did the things that our self-centered nature wanted us to do. We habitually did those [evil] deeds that our bodies and our minds wanted to do. When we were acting like that, it was certain that [God] would punish [MTY] us, just like he will certainly punish all other [evil people].
4 Gott aber, der reich ist an Barmherzigkeit, wegen seiner vielen Liebe, womit er uns geliebt hat,
But God always acts very mercifully, and he loves us very much.
5 als auch wir in den Vergehungen tot waren, hat uns mit dem Christus lebendig gemacht, durch Gnade seid ihr errettet-
As a result, even when we were ([spiritually] dead/[as unable to please God as] a corpse [MET] is) because we were habitually sinning, he enabled us to receive [spiritual]/[eternal] life because of our relationship with Christ. [Do not forget this: It is only] because God has acted so kindly toward you, in a way that you did not deserve, that you are saved {that [he] saved you} [from the guilt of your sin]
6 und hat uns mitauferweckt und mitsitzen lassen in den himmlischen Örtern in Christo Jesu,
And [it is as though] God gave us spiritual life when he caused Christ Jesus to be alive again after he died [MET]. And [it is as though] God caused us to sit [and rule] [MTY] with him in heaven,
7 auf daß er in den kommenden Zeitaltern den überschwenglichen Reichtum seiner Gnade in Güte gegen uns erwiese in Christo Jesu. (aiōn g165)
in order that he might show to everyone at all times in the future that he has acted toward us in an extremely kind way because of what Christ Jesus [did for us]. (aiōn g165)
8 Denn durch die Gnade seid ihr errettet, mittelst des Glaubens; und das nicht aus euch, Gottes Gabe ist es;
It is [only] by [God] acting [PRS] [toward you] in a way that you did not deserve that you have been saved {that he has saved you} as a result of your trusting [in Christ]. You did not save yourselves. His saving you was his gift to you.
9 nicht aus Werken, auf daß niemand sich rühme.
He did not save any of you because of anything you yourselves did. Because you have done nothing [to save yourselves], you cannot be proud of your efforts to save yourselves.
10 Denn wir sind sein Werk, geschaffen in Christo Jesu zu guten Werken, welche Gott zuvor bereitet hat, auf daß wir in ihnen wandeln sollen.
It is God who has made us what we are now. Because of our relationship with Christ Jesus, he has enabled us to receive [spiritual/eternal] life in order that we should conduct our lives habitually doing the good deeds that God previously planned for us to do.
11 Deshalb seid eingedenk, daß ihr, einst die Nationen im Fleische, welche Vorhaut genannt werden von der sogenannten Beschneidung, die im Fleische mit Händen geschieht,
You [Ephesians] have been non-Jews from the time that you were born. The Jews ([insult you/say that you are not God’s people]) [by] calling you ‘those who are not circumcised’. They [proudly] call themselves ‘we [(exc)] who are circumcised’. [They have allowed people to] circumcise [them to indicate that they are God’s people, but] that has [only] changed their bodies, [not their] ([inner beings/hearts]).
12 daß ihr zu jener Zeit ohne Christum waret, entfremdet dem Bürgerrecht Israels, und Fremdlinge betreffs der Bündnisse der Verheißung, keine Hoffnung habend, und ohne Gott in der Welt.
You should constantly remember these things: Formerly you did not have any relationship with Christ. You did not belong to the people of Israel, [the people whom God chose]. You did not know about the things God promised in his agreements [with his people]. You did not confidently expect to go to heaven after you die (OR, [that God would save you]). You [lived] in this world without knowing God.
13 Jetzt aber, in Christo Jesu, seid ihr, die ihr einst fern waret, durch das Blut des Christus nahe geworden.
But now, because of your relationship with Christ Jesus, God has brought you, who had no relationship with him [MET], into his family [MET]. He did that because [you trusted in what Christ accomplished when] his blood [MTY] [flowed from his body when he died on the cross].
14 Denn er ist unser Friede, der aus beiden eines gemacht und abgebrochen hat die Zwischenwand der Umzäunung,
Christ himself [has caused us Jewish and non-Jewish believers] to have peace [with each other]. He has made both [of our groups] to become one [group]. [Just like people] (tear down/demolish) a wall that separates [groups of people] [MET], he has destroyed the hatred [between Jews and non-Jews].
15 nachdem er in seinem Fleische die Feindschaft, das Gesetz der Gebote in Satzungen, hinweggetan hatte, auf daß er die zwei, Frieden stiftend, in sich selbst zu einem neuen Menschen schüfe,
By dying [MTY] [for us on the cross] he made it no longer [necessary for us to obey] all the [Jewish] laws and rituals [in order to be saved]. He did that in order to enable the two [groups] to become one new group because of our relationship with him. The result was that he has caused us to have peace [with each other].
16 und die beiden in einem Leibe mit Gott versöhnte durch das Kreuz, nachdem er durch dasselbe die Feindschaft getötet hatte.
By [dying on] the cross [MTY] he caused both Jews and non-Jews to have a peaceful relationship with God. That is how he caused us to no longer be [MET] enemies [with God] (OR, [with each other]).
17 Und er kam und verkündigte Frieden, euch, den Fernen, und Frieden den Nahen.
He came [to earth] and proclaimed that you [non-Jews], who did not have a relationship with [MET] [God], and [us(exc) Jews], who [considered that we(exc) belonged to] [MET] God’s [family], can [all] now have peace [with God].
18 Denn durch ihn haben wir beide den Zugang durch einen Geist zu dem Vater.
[We know that he has done that] because we both, [Jews and non-Jews], are [now] able to approach God the Father in prayer by the help of his Spirit, because of what Christ [has done].
19 Also seid ihr denn nicht mehr Fremdlinge und ohne Bürgerrecht, sondern ihr seid Mitbürger der Heiligen und Hausgenossen Gottes,
So [God no longer treats] you [non-Jews] as [people treat] [MET] foreigners and strangers [who live among them] [MET]. Instead, along with all God’s people, [it is as though] you have become citizens of a country that he rules over, and [as though you have become] members of the family [of which he is the father] [MET].
20 aufgebaut auf die Grundlage der Apostel und Propheten, indem Jesus Christus selbst Eckstein ist,
[Just like] a building is built {[as someone] builds a building} on a foundation, [God has joined you into one group that originated/began] from what the apostles and prophets [taught]. Christ Jesus is the [most important one in that group, just like a] cornerstone [is the most important part of a building]. And
21 in welchem der ganze Bau, wohl zusammengefügt, wächst zu einem heiligen Tempel im Herrn,
just like [a builder might] join together all the parts of a building to make it a temple that [people will] dedicate to the Lord [MET], [Christ is continually causing all of] you who have a relationship with [him to be united, in order that you will become one holy group].
22 in welchem auch ihr mitaufgebaut werdet zu einer Behausung Gottes im Geiste.
And because of your relationship with Christ, [God] is joining you [non-Jews] together with [Jewish believers] to be [like] one building [MET] in which his Spirit lives.
