Ephesians 2 · Verse 16

Ephesians 2:16

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

Ephesians 2:16, King James Version

Ephesians 2:16 in other translations

BSB	and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility.
WEB	and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it.
ASV	and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
YLT	and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity in it,
DARBY	and might reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having by it slain the enmity;
BBE	And that the two might come into agreement with God in one body through the cross, so putting an end to that division.
Webster	And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having by it slain the enmity:

What does Ephesians 2:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

16. Translate, "might altogether reconcile them both in one body (the Church, Col 3:15) unto God through His cross." The Greek for "reconcile" (apocatalaxe), found only here and in Col 1:20, expresses not only a return to favor with one (catallage), but so to lay aside enmity that complete amity follows; to pass from enmity to complete reconciliation [Tittmann]. slain the enmity--namely, that had been between man and God; and so that between Jew and Gentile which had resulted from it. By His being slain, He slew it (compare He 2:14). thereby--Greek, "therein"; "in" or "by the cross," that is, His crucifixion (Col 2:15).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God. This was another of the effects of the work of redemption, and indeed the main effect. It was not merely to make them harmonious, but it was that both, who had been alienated from God, should be reconciled to him. This was a different effect from that of producing peace between themselves, though in some sense the one grew out of the other. They who are reconciled to God will be at peace with each other. They will feel that they are of the same family, and are all brethren. On the subject of reconciliation, 2Cor 5:18.

In one body. One spiritual personage--the church. Eph 1:23.

By the cross. By the atonement which he made on the cross. See Col 1:20. Comp. Rom 3:2,5. It is by the atonement only that men ever become reconciled to God.

Having slain the enmity. Not only the enmity between Jews and Gentiles, but the enmity between the sinner and God. He has by that death removed all the obstacles to reconciliation on the part of God and on the part of man. It is made efficacious in removing the enmity of the sinner against God, and producing peace.

Thereby. Marg., "in himself". The meaning is, in his cross, or by means of his cross.

(e) "both unto God" Col 1:20-22 (1) "enmity thereby" "in himself"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 16 That he might reconcile both - in one body - That the Jews and Gentiles, believing on the Lord Jesus, might lay aside all their causes of contention, and become one spiritual body, or society of men, influenced by the Spirit, and acting according to the precepts of the Gospel. Having slain the enmity thereby - Having, by his death upon the cross, made reconciliation between God and man, and by his Spirit in their hearts removed the enmity of their fallen, sinful nature. Dr. Macknight thinks that abolishing the enmity is spoken of the removal of the hatred which the Jews and Gentiles mutually bore to each other, because of the difference of their respective religious worship; and that slaying the enmity refers to the removal of evil lusts and affections from the heart of man, by the power of Divine grace. This is nearly the sense given above.

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…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 2:14-18 →

Ephesians 2:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532

ἀποκαταλλάξῃapokatallaxēHe may reconcileG604

τοὺςtous<the>G3588

ἀμφοτέρουςamphoterousbothG297

ἐνeninG1722

ἑνὶhenioneG1520

σώματιsōmatibodyG4983

τῷtō<the>G3588

θεῷtheōto GodG2316

διὰdiathroughG1223

τοῦtoutheG3588

σταυροῦstauroucrossG4716

ἀποκτείναςapokteinashaving slainG615

τὴνtēntheG3588

ἔχθρανechthranhostilityG2189

ἐνenbyG1722

αὐτῷ·autōit;G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 2:16

Colossians 1:20-22
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 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:
Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 Peter 4:1-2
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
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;
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

reconcile.
Ro 5:10; 2Co 5:18-21; Col 1:21-22
having.
15; Ro 6:6; 8:3,7; Ga 2:20; Col 2:14; 1Pe 4:1,2
thereby. or, in himself.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

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 2:17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Read all of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:16 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y reconciliar por la cruz con Dios á ambos en un mismo cuerpo, matando en ella las enemistades.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	et qu’il les réconcilie tous les deux en un seul corps à Dieu par la croix, ayant tué par elle l’inimitié.
German Elberfelder 1871	und die beiden in einem Leibe mit Gott versöhnte durch das Kreuz, nachdem er durch dasselbe die Feindschaft getötet hatte.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	et reconciliet ambos in uno corpore, Deo per crucem, interficiens inimicitias in semetipso.