Ephesians 2:15
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;
Ephesians 2:15 in other translations
| BSB | by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace |
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| WEB | having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace, |
| ASV | having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; |
| YLT | the enmity in his flesh, the law of the commands in ordinances having done away, that the two he might create in himself into one new man, making peace, |
| DARBY | having annulled the enmity in his flesh, the law of commandments in ordinances, that he might form the two in himself into one new man, making peace; |
| BBE | Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace; |
| Webster | Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances: to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace; |
What does Ephesians 2:15 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
In his flesh. By the sacrifice of his body on the cross. It was not by instruction merely; it was not by communicating the knowledge of God; it was not as a teacher; it was not by the mere exertion of power; it was by his flesh--his human nature--and this can mean only that he did it by his sacrifice of himself. It is such language as is appropriate to the doctrine of the atonement--not indeed teaching it directly--but still such as one would use who believed that doctrine, and such as no other one would employ. Who would now say of a moral teacher that he accomplished an important result by his flesh? Who would say of a man that was instrumental in reconciling his contending neighbors, that he did it by his flesh? Who would say of Dr. Priestly that he established Unitarianism in his flesh? No man would have ever used this language who did not believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for sin.
The enmity. Between the Jew and the Gentile. Tindal renders this, "the cause of hatred, that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written." This is expressive of the true sense. The idea is, that the ceremonial law of the Jews, on which they so much prided themselves, was the cause of the hostility existing between them. That made them different people, and laid the foundation for the alienation which existed between them. They had different laws; different institutions; a different, religion. The Jews looked upon themselves as the favourites of Heaven, and as in possession of the knowledge of the only way of salvation; the Gentiles regarded their laws with contempt, and looked upon the peculiar institutions with scorn. When Christ came, and abolished by his death their peculiar ceremonial laws, of course the cause of this alienation ceased.
Even the law of commandments. The law of positive commandments. This does not refer to the moral law, which was not the cause of the alienation, and which was not abolished by the death of Christ, but to the laws commanding sacrifices, festivals, fasts, etc., which constituted the peculiarity of the Jewish system. These were the occasion of the enmity between the Jews and the Gentiles, and these were abolished by the great sacrifice which the Redeemer made; and of course when that was made, the purpose for which these laws were instituted was accomplished, and they ceased to be of value and to be binding. Contained in ordinances. In the Mosaic commandments. The word ordinance means decree, edict, law, Lk 2:1, Acts 16:4, 17:7, Col 2:14.
For to make in himself. By virtue of his death, or under him as the head.
Of twain one new man. Of the two--Jews and Gentiles--one new spiritual person; that they might be united. The idea is, that as two persons who had been at enmity might become reconciled, and become one in aim and pursuit, so it was in the effect of the work of Christ on the Jews and Gentiles. When they were converted they would be united and harmonious.
(d) "in his flesh" Col 2:14 (+) "contained" "consisting" (++) "twain" "the two into"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 2:14-18
Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of himself; in every sense Christ was their Peace, the author, centre, and substance of their being at peace with God, and of their union with the Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into his presence, with their worship and services, under…
Ephesians 2:15 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Ephesians 2:15
- Colossians 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
- Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
- Colossians 1:21-22
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
- Hebrews 8:13
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
- Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
- Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
- Colossians 2:20
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- Ephesians 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
- Hebrews 10:1-10
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. …
- Hebrews 7:16
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Ephesians 2:14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
- Ephesians 2:15
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;
- Ephesians 2:16
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Ephesians 2:15 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Dirimiendo en su carne las enemistades, la ley de los mandamientos en orden á ritos, para edificar en sí mismo los dos en un nuevo hombre, haciendo la paz, |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | ayant aboli dans sa chair l’inimitié, la loi des commandements qui consiste en ordonnances, afin qu’il crée les deux en lui-même pour être un seul homme nouveau, en faisant la paix; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | 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, |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | legem mandatorum decretis evacuans, ut duos condat in semetipso in unum novum hominem, faciens pacem: |