1
Καὶ ὑμᾶς ὄντας νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν καὶ ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν,
And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins,
The καί picks up from the prayer of 1:15–23 and launches a long sentence that will not reach its main verb until v.5 (συνεζωοποίησεν). The accusative ὑμᾶς is left hanging — the readers' former deadness is held in suspense, awaiting God's saving act.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Καὶandconnective conjunction (resumptive)καί: here a transitional connector tying the new section to the power-of-God theme of 1:19–23.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject (anticipating συνεζωοποίησεν, v.5)
ὄνταςbeingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · εἰμίconcessive/temporal participle ('while you were')→ stative presentεἰμί: the participle frames the former condition — a settled state of death now to be reversed.
νεκροὺςdeadAccusativepredicate accusative (complement of ὄντας)νεκρός: 'dead'; here spiritual death — incapacity and separation from God, not mere mortality.
τοῖςin theDativearticle
παραπτώμασινtrespassesDativedat. of cause/sphere ('dead by/in')παράπτωμα: 'false step, trespass' (παρά + πίπτω, 'fall beside'); a lapse from the right path.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἁμαρτίαιςsinsDativedat. of cause/sphere (coordinate)ἁμαρτία: 'sin, missing the mark'; paired with παράπτωμα for comprehensive guilt.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
2
ἐν αἷς ποτε περιεπατήσατε κατὰ τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου, κατὰ τὸν ἄρχοντα τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ ἀέρος, τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ νῦν ἐνεργοῦντος ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς τῆς ἀπειθείας·
in which you once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now at work in the sons of disobedience —
A relative clause unfolding that deadness as a former 'walk' — a whole way of life governed by three powers in escalating order: the age, its unseen ruler, and the spirit energizing the disobedient.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (antecedent: trespasses/sins)
ποτεonceadverb (former time)ποτέ: 'formerly, at one time'; the recurring 'then/now' contrast (cf. vv.11–13).
περιεπατήσατεyou walkedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · περιπατέωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist (sums up the old way of life)περιπατέω: 'walk about'; a Semitic-flavored metaphor for one's manner of life (cf. v.10).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναageAccusativeobject of κατά (norm of the walk)αἰών: 'age, era'; the prevailing spirit of the present epoch — a personified course of the world.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitiveattributive genitiveκόσμος: 'world'; here the ordered human society in rebellion against God.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (attributive)
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativeobject of κατά (second norm)ἄρχων: 'ruler, prince'; the malign personal power behind the age — Satan (cf. John 12:31).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐξουσίαςauthorityGenitivegenitive (domain ruled)ἐξουσία: 'authority'; here perhaps the realm/dominion of which he is ἄρχων, or the collective of powers.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἀέροςairGenitivegenitive of place/sphere (the lower heavens)ἀήρ: 'air'; the ancient view of the lower atmosphere as the haunt of evil spirits — the realm between earth and heaven.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (appositional)
πνεύματοςspiritGenitivegenitive in apposition to ἄρχοντα (loose concord)πνεῦμα: here the evil 'spirit' identified with that ruler — the energizing power in the disobedient.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
νῦνnowadverb (present time)νῦν: 'now'; the power still operative — the readers' deliverance is recent and stark.
ἐνεργοῦντοςworkingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · ἐνεργέωattributive participle→ present (ongoing activity)ἐνεργέω: 'be at work, operate'; the dark counterpart to God's mighty working in 1:19–20.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
υἱοῖςsonsDativedat. of sphere (locus of the working)υἱός: 'son'; in the Semitic idiom 'sons of X' = those characterized by X — here disobedience.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀπειθείαςdisobedienceGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitiveἀπείθεια: 'disobedience, refusal to be persuaded' (ἀ- + πείθω); willful unbelief, not mere ignorance.
3
ἐν οἷς καὶ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἀνεστράφημέν ποτε ἐν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν, ποιοῦντες τὰ θελήματα τῆς σαρκὸς καὶ τῶν διανοιῶν, καὶ ἤμεθα τέκνα φύσει ὀργῆς ὡς καὶ οἱ λοιποί·
among whom we also all once lived in the desires of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest as well.
Paul folds himself and fellow Jews into the indictment: 'we also all.' The 'you' of v.1 becomes a universal 'we' — Jew and Gentile alike were by nature under wrath, leaving room only for grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
οἷςwhomDativerelative pronoun (antecedent: sons of disobedience)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we' — Paul shifts from Gentile 'you' to include Jewish believers.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective in apposition (totality)πᾶς: 'all'; underlines that none were exempt — the deadness was universal.
ἀνεστράφημένwe lived/conducted ourselvesAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀναστρέφω: 'turn back and forth,' hence (pass.) 'conduct oneself, live'; near-synonym of περιπατέω in v.2.
ποτεonceadverb (former time)ποτέ: 'formerly'; again marking the decisive past.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπιθυμίαιςdesiresDativedat. of sphereἐπιθυμία: 'desire, craving'; here the disordered passions of fallen humanity.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive of source/possessionσάρξ: here the ethical 'flesh' — human nature as the seat of sin (cf. Rom 7–8), not merely the body.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ποιοῦντεςdoingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. of manner (concurrent)→ present (concurrent action)ποιέω: 'do, make'; the participle spells out the conduct — enacting fleshly wishes.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
θελήματαwishesAccusativedirect object (of ποιοῦντες)θέλημα: 'will, wish'; the plural (rare) = the various impulses willed by the flesh.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivesubjective/possessive genitiveσάρξ: the fleshly nature as source of the wishes.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
διανοιῶνthoughts/mindsGenitivesubjective genitive (coordinate)διάνοια: 'understanding, thought'; the corrupted mind, not only the appetites — sin engulfs the whole person.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἤμεθαwe wereImpf Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (second clause)→ imperfect (continuing past state)εἰμί: the imperfect ἤμεθα marks the abiding condition — 'we were continually.'
τέκναchildrenNominativepredicate nominativeτέκνον: 'child'; 'children of wrath' = those destined for / belonging to wrath (Semitic idiom).
φύσειby natureDativedat. of manner/respectφύσις: 'nature'; the condition is innate, not merely acquired — humanity's inherited standing.
ὀργῆςof wrathGenitivedescriptive/objective genitiveὀργή: 'wrath'; God's settled judicial opposition to sin — the just sentence resting on the old humanity.
ὡςascomparative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantival)
λοιποίrestNominativesubstantival adjective (object of comparison)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the rest of humanity outside Christ — all share one verdict.
4
ὁ δὲ θεὸς πλούσιος ὢν ἐν ἐλέει, διὰ τὴν πολλὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς,
But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,
The hinge of the chapter. Against the unrelieved darkness of vv.1–3, the δέ swings to God as subject. His mercy and love, not human merit, are the ground of everything that follows — the long-delayed main verb finally arrives in v.5.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ὁtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: the great adversative — the turn from death to life, from us to God.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of συνεζωοποίησεν, v.5)θεός: God, emphatically fronted — he is the sole agent of salvation.
πλούσιοςrichNominativepredicate adjective (with ὤν)πλούσιος: 'rich'; God's abundance in mercy — a favorite Ephesian motif (cf. 1:7; 3:8).
ὢνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίcausal participle ('because he is')→ stative presentεἰμί: the participle grounds the action in God's character — he acts because of who he is.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
ἐλέειmercyDativedat. of respect ('rich in regard to mercy')ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; covenant lovingkindness toward the wretched (LXX ḥesed).
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πολλὴνgreatAccusativeattributive adjectiveπολύς: 'much, great'; the immensity of the love that moves God to act.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἀγάπη: 'love'; self-giving love grounded in God's will, not in the worth of its object.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (subjective)
ἣνwith whichAccusativerelative pronoun (cognate accusative)
ἠγάπησενhe lovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (rel. clause; cognate object ἣν...ἀγάπην)→ constative aoristἀγαπάω: 'love'; the Semitic cognate construction ('loved with the love') intensifies — a love that was actively shown.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
5
καὶ ὄντας ἡμᾶς νεκροὺς τοῖς παραπτώμασιν συνεζωοποίησεν τῷ Χριστῷ — χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι —
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved —
The long sentence reaches its verb: συνεζωοποίησεν. Resuming the 'dead' of v.1, God's act is union with Christ in resurrection life. The parenthesis 'by grace you have been saved' breaks in — Paul cannot state the act without naming its sole basis.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶevenconjunction (resumptive/concessive)καί: here resuming v.1 and conceding our deadness — 'even while dead.'
ὄνταςbeingPres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · εἰμίconcessive participle ('though we were')→ stative presentεἰμί: again the participle of the former state — grace meets us at the point of death.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject (of συνεζωοποίησεν)
νεκροὺςdeadAccusativepredicate accusative (complement of ὄντας)νεκρός: 'dead'; the repeated diagnosis (cf. v.1) — there was nothing in us to revive ourselves.
τοῖςin theDativearticle
παραπτώμασινtrespassesDativedat. of cause/sphereπαράπτωμα: 'trespass'; echoing v.1 to close the loop of the long sentence.
συνεζωοποίησενhe made alive togetherAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συζωοποιέωmain verb (long-delayed)→ constative aorist (the decisive act)συζωοποιέω: 'make alive together with' (σύν + ζωή + ποιέω); resurrection life shared with Christ — the first of three σύν-compounds (vv.5–6).
τῷwithDativearticle (dat. of association)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of association (with the σύν- verb)Χριστός: the believer's life is bound up with the risen Christ — what is true of him becomes true of us.
χάριτίby graceDativedat. of means (emphatic, fronted)χάρις: 'grace'; the parenthetical thesis anticipating vv.8–9 — salvation's sole ground.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic perfect with σεσῳσμένοι)→ stative present
σεσῳσμένοιsavedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · σῴζωperiphrastic perfect (with ἐστε)→ intensive perfect (a settled, abiding state)σῴζω: 'save, rescue'; the periphrastic perfect stresses a completed salvation with present results — already accomplished.
6
καὶ συνήγειρεν καὶ συνεκάθισεν ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ,
and raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Two more σύν-compounds complete the triad: made alive, raised, seated. The believer's destiny is already realized 'in Christ' — sharing his resurrection and enthronement in the heavenlies (cf. 1:20).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνήγειρενhe raised togetherAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συνεγείρωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristσυνεγείρω: 'raise together with' (σύν + ἐγείρω); our resurrection is co-resurrection with Christ (cf. Col 2:12; 3:1).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνεκάθισενhe seated togetherAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συγκαθίζωmain verb (coordinate)→ constative aoristσυγκαθίζω: 'seat together with' (σύν + καθίζω); the believer shares Christ's enthronement — exaltation already, not only future.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἐπουρανίοιςheavenly placesDativedat. of place (substantival adj.)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly'; τὰ ἐπουράνια, the spiritual-heavenly realm — a signature Ephesian phrase (1:3, 20; 3:10; 6:12).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of union/sphereΧριστός: union with Christ is the locus of all these blessings — they are ours only 'in him.'
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
7
ἵνα ἐνδείξηται ἐν τοῖς αἰῶσιν τοῖς ἐπερχομένοις τὸ ὑπερβάλλον πλοῦτος τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ ἐν χρηστότητι ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
so that in the coming ages he might display the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
The ultimate goal of God's saving act: an eternal exhibition of his grace. The saved community becomes the trophy of mercy that the ages to come will behold — God's glory is the final end.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: introduces purpose — why God raised and seated us.
ἐνδείξηταιhe might displayAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose clause)→ constative aorist (the future demonstration viewed whole)ἐνδείκνυμι: 'show forth, demonstrate'; the middle suggests God's own self-display of his grace.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
αἰῶσινagesDativedat. of time (when)αἰών: 'age'; here the future epochs — the unending display contrasts the 'age of this world' (v.2).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive)
ἐπερχομένοιςcomingPres Mid Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ἐπέρχομαιattributive participle→ futuristic present (the ages 'on their way')ἐπέρχομαι: 'come upon, approach'; the ages that are advancing — an open-ended future.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ὑπερβάλλονsurpassingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ὑπερβάλλωattributive participle (modifies πλοῦτος)→ present (characteristic quality)ὑπερβάλλω: 'throw beyond, exceed'; the grace that outstrips all measure (cf. 1:19; 3:19).
πλοῦτοςrichesAccusativedirect object (of ἐνδείξηται)πλοῦτος: 'wealth, riches'; the lavishness of grace — what God displays.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
χάριτοςgraceGenitivegenitive of content/appositionχάρις: 'grace'; the riches consist in grace itself — God's unmerited favor.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
χρηστότητιkindnessDativedat. of manner (how grace is shown)χρηστότης: 'kindness, goodness'; the gracious benevolence in which the riches are expressed.
ἐφ’towardpreposition + accusative (direction/recipient)
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of ἐπί (recipients)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of union/sphereΧριστός: the grace reaches us only in union with Christ — the recurring refrain.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
8
τῇ γὰρ χάριτί ἐστε σεσῳσμένοι διὰ πίστεως· καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἐξ ὑμῶν, θεοῦ τὸ δῶρον·
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this not from yourselves — it is the gift of God —
Paul takes up the parenthetical thesis of v.5 and unfolds it fully. Grace is the basis, faith the channel; and even this whole salvation is no human contribution but God's gift, excluding all boasting (v.9).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τῇtheDativearticle (the grace just named)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: explains and grounds the parenthesis of v.5.
χάριτίby graceDativedat. of means (emphatic, fronted)χάρις: 'grace'; the articular 'the grace' points back to God's grace of v.7.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic perfect)→ stative present
σεσῳσμένοιsavedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · σῴζωperiphrastic perfect (with ἐστε)→ intensive perfect (completed, with abiding result)σῴζω: 'save'; the perfect again — a salvation accomplished and standing, not a process to complete.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/channel)
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive (instrumental channel)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the receiving instrument — not the ground (which is grace) but the empty hand that takes.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (subject; refers to the whole salvation)τοῦτο: neuter 'this'; its neuter gender (not matching feminine πίστις or χάρις) points to the entire saved condition, not 'faith' alone.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ὑμῶνyourselvesGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source denied)
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source (emphatic, fronted)θεός: God; fronted for emphasis — the source is wholly God.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δῶρονgiftNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause)δῶρον: 'gift'; a free, unearned present — the antonym of wages (cf. Rom 6:23).
9
οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων, ἵνα μή τις καυχήσηται.
not from works, so that no one may boast.
The flip side of 'gift': salvation is not from works. The ἵνα states God's design — by grounding salvation in grace alone, he forecloses every basis for human boasting (cf. Rom 3:27).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source denied)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; here human achievement as a basis of salvation — excluded entirely (contrast v.10's good works).
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: states the divine intent behind the exclusion of works.
μήnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, anyone'; the universal exclusion — no one whatever.
καυχήσηταιmight boastAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · καυχάομαιsubjunctive (negative purpose clause)→ ingressive/constative aoristκαυχάομαι: 'boast, glory in'; self-congratulation before God — the very impulse grace abolishes.
10
αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν ποίημα, κτισθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεὸς ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Lest 'not from works' seem to despise good works, Paul names their true place: they are the goal, not the ground. We are God's new creation, fashioned in Christ precisely for the good works he laid out in advance for us to walk in.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (emphatic, fronted)αὐτοῦ: 'his'; fronted — we are God's handiwork, his and not our own.
γάρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: grounds vv.8–9 — why salvation cannot be from works.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ποίημαworkmanshipNominativepredicate nominativeποίημα: 'thing made, work of art' (whence 'poem'); we are God's masterwork — entirely his product.
κτισθέντεςcreatedAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κτίζωattributive/adverbial participle (explains ποίημα)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create'; the verb of divine creation — believers are a new creation (cf. 2 Cor 5:17; Eph 4:24).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere (locus of new creation)Χριστός: the new creation happens 'in Christ' — union with him is its sphere.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
ἐπὶforpreposition + dative (purpose/goal)ἐπί + dat. here marks purpose/intended result — 'with a view to.'
ἔργοιςworksDativeobject of ἐπί (purpose)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; good works as the aim of the new creation — fruit, not root.
ἀγαθοῖςgoodDativeattributive adjectiveἀγαθός: 'good'; morally beneficial works that flow from grace.
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (by attraction; antecedent ἔργοις)οἷς: dative by attraction to ἔργοις (expected accusative ἅ as object of προητοίμασεν).
προητοίμασενhe prepared beforehandAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προετοιμάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπροετοιμάζω: 'prepare beforehand' (προ- + ἑτοιμάζω); God laid out our works in advance — they too are gift.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (of προητοίμασεν)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: the purpose of the prepared works — that we live them out.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν (the prepared works)
περιπατήσωμενwe should walkAor Act Subj 1 Pl · περιπατέωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose clause)→ constative aoristπεριπατέω: 'walk'; the new walk (contrast v.2) — a life lived within God's prepared works.
11
Διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι ποτὲ ὑμεῖς τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,
Therefore remember that you, once the Gentiles in the flesh — those called 'uncircumcision' by what is called 'circumcision,' made by hands in the flesh —
An inferential 'therefore' opens the chapter's second half. From the vertical reconciliation (vv.1–10) Paul turns to the horizontal: the Gentile readers must remember their former exclusion to grasp the wonder of being brought near.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Διὸthereforeinferential conjunctionδιό: 'wherefore'; draws an exhortation from the foregoing salvation.
μνημονεύετεrememberPres Act Impv 2 Pl · μνημονεύωmain verb (imperative)→ customary present (keep on remembering)μνημονεύω: 'remember, keep in mind'; recalling the past magnifies present grace.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of remembering)
ποτὲonceadverb (former time)ποτέ: 'formerly'; resuming the 'then/now' structure (cf. v.13).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
τὰtheNominativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesNominativeapposition to ὑμεῖςἔθνος: 'nation'; τὰ ἔθνη = the Gentiles/nations, those outside Israel.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
σαρκίfleshDativedat. of respect ('Gentiles as to the flesh')σάρξ: here neutral — physical/bodily descent, the realm of the circumcision distinction.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λεγόμενοιcalledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (in apposition)→ present (customary designation)λέγω: 'say, call'; the passive 'those called X' — a contemptuous Jewish label.
ἀκροβυστίαuncircumcisionNominativepredicate nom. (the name given)ἀκροβυστία: 'foreskin, uncircumcision'; a dismissive term for Gentiles in Jewish usage.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λεγομένηςcalledPres Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · λέγωattributive participle→ present (customary designation)λέγω: the matching 'so-called' — Paul subtly relativizes a merely physical circumcision.
περιτομῆςcircumcisionGenitiveobject of ὑπό (the agents who name)περιτομή: 'circumcision'; here a metonym for the Jews — and one qualified as merely 'hand-made.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of sphere (where the rite is)σάρξ: the physical body — the circumcision in question is outward and bodily only.
χειροποιήτουmade by handsGenitiveattributive adjective (modifies περιτομῆς)χειροποίητος: 'hand-made' (χείρ + ποιέω); often pejorative (of idols/temples) — implying a deeper, true circumcision (cf. Col 2:11).
12
ὅτι ἦτε τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ χωρὶς Χριστοῦ, ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι τῆς πολιτείας τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ξένοι τῶν διαθηκῶν τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, ἐλπίδα μὴ ἔχοντες καὶ ἄθεοι ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ.
that you were at that time without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
A fivefold catalogue of Gentile lostness — without Christ, outside Israel, strangers to the covenants, hopeless, godless. The piling up of negatives measures the distance that grace will close in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὅτιthatconjunction (resumes content of v.11)
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ imperfect (continuing past state)εἰμί: the imperfect frames the former, abiding condition.
τῷat theDativearticle
καιρῷtimeDativedat. of time (when)καιρός: 'time, season'; the former era before their conversion.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative (attributive)
χωρὶςwithoutpreposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'apart from'; the first and gravest lack — separated from the Messiah himself.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobject of χωρίςΧριστός: 'Christ'; for Gentiles, no share in Israel's messianic hope.
ἀπηλλοτριωμένοιalienatedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἀπαλλοτριόωpredicate participle (periphrastic w/ ἦτε)→ intensive perfect (a settled estrangement)ἀπαλλοτριόω: 'estrange, alienate'; the perfect — a fixed condition of exclusion (cf. 4:18).
τῆςfrom theGenitivearticle
πολιτείαςcommonwealthGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι)πολιτεία: 'citizenship, commonwealth, body politic'; the covenant community of Israel from which Gentiles were shut out.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ἸσραὴλIsraelGenitivegenitive of apposition/possession (indeclinable)Ἰσραήλ: Israel, God's covenant people — the sphere of the promises.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ξένοιstrangersNominativepredicate nominativeξένος: 'stranger, foreigner, guest'; without claim on the covenants (contrast 'fellow citizens,' v.19).
τῶνto theGenitivearticle
διαθηκῶνcovenantsGenitivegenitive (with ξένοι — that to which strangers)διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the plural — the successive covenants with the patriarchs, all bearing the promise.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἐπαγγελίαςpromiseGenitiveattributive/descriptive genitiveἐπαγγελία: 'promise'; the covenants are characterized by the promise (chiefly of Christ and the Spirit).
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativedirect object (of ἔχοντες)ἐλπίς: 'hope'; without the promise there was no sure hope — only pagan despair.
μὴnotnegative particle (with participle)
ἔχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωadverbial/predicate participle→ present (the ongoing former state)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the participle describes the condition — utterly without hope.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄθεοιwithout GodNominativepredicate nominativeἄθεος: 'without God, godless' (ἀ- + θεός); not atheism but lacking the true God — the only NT use.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativedat. of sphereκόσμος: 'world'; alone in a vast world without God — the sum of their plight.
13
νυνὶ δὲ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ὑμεῖς οἵ ποτε ὄντες μακρὰν ἐγενήθητε ἐγγὺς ἐν τῷ αἵματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The 'but now' that answers the 'once' of vv.11–12 — parallel to the 'But God' of v.4. The reversal is total: the far-off are brought near, and the means is named at the clause's emphatic end — the blood of Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
νυνὶnowadverb (present time, emphatic)νυνί: strengthened 'now'; the decisive present that overturns the former 'once.'
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: the turn from exclusion to nearness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of union (fronted, emphatic)Χριστός: the sphere of the new nearness — what they once lacked (v.12) is now their location.
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
οἵwhoNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποτεonceadverb (former time)ποτέ: 'formerly'; the last echo of the old condition.
ὄντεςbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · εἰμίsubstantival/attributive participle ('those who were')→ stative presentεἰμί: the participle of the former state — once far off.
μακρὰνfar offadverb (of place)μακράν: 'far away'; covenant-distance language (cf. Isa 57:19) — the Gentiles' estrangement.
ἐγενήθητεyou have been made/becomeAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the accomplished change)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the passive points to God as the one who brought the change about.
ἐγγὺςnearadverb (of place; predicate)ἐγγύς: 'near'; the covenant nearness once Israel's alone (Isa 57:19) now extended to Gentiles.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means)
τῷtheDativearticle
αἵματιbloodDativedat. of means (the price of nearness)αἷμα: 'blood'; the sacrificial death of Christ — the costly means of reconciliation (cf. 1:7).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of possession/sourceΧριστός: 'Christ'; the blood is his — the cross stands at the center of the reconciliation.
14
Αὐτὸς γάρ ἐστιν ἡ εἰρήνη ἡμῶν, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ἀμφότερα ἓν καὶ τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ λύσας, τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ,
For he himself is our peace, who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition, the hostility, in his flesh,
The γάρ explains how the far-off were brought near: Christ is not merely peace-maker but peace itself. The emphatic Αὐτός fronts him as the personal embodiment of reconciliation, who made two into one by tearing down the wall.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive pronoun, emphatic)αὐτός: intensive 'he himself' — Christ in person is the peace, not just its broker.
γάρforexplanatory conjunctionγάρ: grounds v.13 — explains the means of the nearness.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἡtheNominativearticle
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativepredicate nominativeεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the Hebrew šālôm — reconciliation both between peoples and with God (cf. Isa 9:6; 57:19).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποιήσαςwho madeAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (in apposition to Αὐτός)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make'; Christ is the maker of the new unity.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἀμφότεραbothAccusativedirect object (neuter — the two groups)ἀμφότεροι: 'both (of two)'; the neuter plural treats Jew and Gentile as two entities now fused into one.
ἓνoneAccusativedouble accusative (object complement)εἷς: 'one'; the neuter ἕν — a single new reality, not Gentiles absorbed into Jews.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μεσότοιχονdividing wallAccusativedirect object (of λύσας)μεσότοιχον: 'middle wall' (μέσος + τοῖχος); perhaps evoking the temple barrier excluding Gentiles — the symbol of separation.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
φραγμοῦpartition/fenceGenitivegenitive of apposition ('the wall that is the fence')φραγμός: 'fence, hedge, barrier'; the genitive defines the wall — the fence dividing the peoples.
λύσαςhaving broken downAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λύωsubstantival participle (coordinate w/ ποιήσας)→ constative aoristλύω: 'loose, destroy, dismantle'; Christ demolished the barrier.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἔχθρανhostilityAccusativeaccusative in apposition (to μεσότοιχον / object of λύσας)ἔχθρα: 'enmity, hostility'; the wall was the enmity itself — between the peoples, and toward God (cf. v.16).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
σαρκὶfleshDativedat. of means/sphere (the instrument of reconciliation)σάρξ: here Christ's physical body, given in death — the locus where the enmity was abolished (cf. v.15).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
15
τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν καταργήσας, ἵνα τοὺς δύο κτίσῃ ἐν αὐτῷ εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον ποιῶν εἰρήνην,
having abolished the law of commandments in decrees, that he might create the two in himself into one new man, making peace,
How the hostility was abolished: by setting aside the law as a system of separating decrees. The purpose (ἵνα) is constructive — not merely to remove a barrier but to create one new humanity in himself, making peace.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
νόμονlawAccusativedirect object (of καταργήσας)νόμος: 'law'; here the Mosaic law specifically in its dividing, regulatory function.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἐντολῶνcommandmentsGenitiveattributive/content genitiveἐντολή: 'commandment'; the law as consisting of particular precepts.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/form)
δόγμασινdecreesDativedat. of manner (the form the law took)δόγμα: 'decree, ordinance'; the law expressed as binding regulations that fenced Israel off (cf. Col 2:14).
καταργήσαςhaving abolishedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταργέωadverbial ptc. of means→ constative aoristκαταργέω: 'render inoperative, abolish, nullify'; Christ deactivated the law's divisive jurisdiction.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: the positive aim of the abolition.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
δύοtwoAccusativedirect object (the two groups; indeclinable)δύο: 'two'; Jew and Gentile as the two parties now unified.
κτίσῃhe might createAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κτίζωsubjunctive (ἵνα purpose clause)→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create'; the unity is a new creation (cf. v.10) — something brought into being, not patched together.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
αὐτῷhimselfDativedat. of union (in Christ)αὐτῷ: 'himself'; the new humanity exists only in union with Christ.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result/goal)
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeralεἷς: 'one'; a single new entity — the goal of the creating.
καινὸνnewAccusativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new' (qualitatively, fresh in kind); not a renovated old thing but a wholly new humanity.
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativeobject of εἰς (the new humanity)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; corporate — 'one new man' = the unified people, the church (cf. 4:24).
ποιῶνmakingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωadverbial ptc. of result/manner (concurrent)→ present (concurrent action)ποιέω: 'make'; in creating one man Christ thereby makes peace — the unity is the peace.
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object (of ποιῶν)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the result Christ effects in forming one new humanity — reconciliation embodied (cf. v.14).
16
καὶ ἀποκαταλλάξῃ τοὺς ἀμφοτέρους ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι τῷ θεῷ διὰ τοῦ σταυροῦ, ἀποκτείνας τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν αὐτῷ.
and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility in himself.
The second ἵνα-goal (coordinate with v.15): horizontal peace serves a vertical end — reconciling both groups to God in one body through the cross. The hostility is not merely removed but 'killed' at Calvary.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second ἵνα verb)
ἀποκαταλλάξῃhe might reconcileAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποκαταλλάσσωsubjunctive (continues ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristἀποκαταλλάσσω: 'reconcile fully' (double-compound, intensive); restore both parties to God (cf. Col 1:20).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀμφοτέρουςbothAccusativedirect object (now masc. — both peoples as persons)ἀμφότεροι: 'both'; the masculine (vs. neuter in v.14) views them as the two reconciled peoples.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
ἑνὶoneDativeattributive numeralεἷς: 'one'; the single body in which reconciliation occurs.
σώματιbodyDativedat. of sphere (the one body)σῶμα: 'body'; likely both Christ's crucified body and the church as his one body — the locus of reconciliation.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of relationship (the one reconciled to)θεός: God; the vertical dimension — both peoples brought home to God.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
σταυροῦcrossGenitiveobject of διά (means)σταυρός: 'cross'; the instrument of reconciliation — where the enmity was put to death.
ἀποκτείναςhaving killedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκτείνωadverbial ptc. of means/manner→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'; vivid — the hostility was not eased but slain on the cross.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἔχθρανhostilityAccusativedirect object (of ἀποκτείνας)ἔχθρα: 'enmity'; the same hostility of v.14 — toward God and between peoples — definitively ended.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
αὐτῷhimself/itDativedat. of means ('in himself' or 'by it,' the cross)αὐτῷ: 'in him(self)' — referring to Christ, or to the cross ('thereby'); the locus where enmity died.
17
καὶ ἐλθὼν εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ εἰρήνην τοῖς ἐγγύς·
And coming, he preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near;
Having made peace, Christ then proclaimed it. The double 'peace' to far and near echoes Isaiah 57:19, embracing both Gentile and Jew; the proclamation comes through his coming and (by his Spirit) his preachers.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐλθὼνcomingAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist (antecedent)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; perhaps of Christ's coming in the incarnation, or his coming in the gospel proclamation.
εὐηγγελίσατοhe preached the good news ofAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω: 'announce good news'; the verb echoes Isa 52:7; 61:1 — Christ as herald of peace.
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object (content of the proclamation)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the message preached — reconciliation now announced.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object (the Gentile readers)
τοῖςtheDativearticle (substantival)
μακρὰνfar offadverb (substantized by article: 'those far off')μακράν: 'far'; the Gentiles (cf. v.13) — quoting Isa 57:19.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object (repeated for emphasis)εἰρήνη: the deliberate repetition — peace to both, on equal footing.
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantival; indirect object)
ἐγγύςnearadverb (substantized: 'those near')ἐγγύς: 'near'; the Jews, who already had covenant nearness — Isa 57:19.
18
ὅτι δι’ αὐτοῦ ἔχομεν τὴν προσαγωγὴν οἱ ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἑνὶ πνεύματι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα.
for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
The proof that peace is real: both groups now share one access to the Father. The verse is implicitly Trinitarian — through the Son, in one Spirit, to the Father — and the 'one Spirit' seals the unity of the 'one body' (v.16).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; grounds the proclaimed peace in a present shared reality.
δι’throughpreposition + genitive (agency/mediation)
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of διά (Christ the mediator)αὐτοῦ: 'him'; Christ is the one through whom access comes.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present (a present possession)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; ongoing present access — a standing privilege now enjoyed.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
προσαγωγὴνaccessAccusativedirect objectπροσαγωγή: 'access, introduction' (into a royal presence); admission to God (cf. Rom 5:2; Eph 3:12).
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἀμφότεροιbothNominativesubject in apposition ('we both')ἀμφότεροι: 'both'; Jew and Gentile alike — equal access, one privilege.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
ἑνὶoneDativeattributive numeralεἷς: 'one'; the single Spirit common to both — the bond of the new unity.
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of means/sphere (the Holy Spirit)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit, in whom both have one access — completing the Trinitarian shape.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πατέραFatherAccusativeobject of πρός (the goal of access)πατήρ: 'Father'; the destination of access — into the presence of God as Father (cf. 3:14–15).
19
Ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συμπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ,
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
The strong double inferential 'so then' draws the conclusion of the whole movement (vv.11–18). Two negatives ('strangers,' 'sojourners') reverse v.12, answered by two positives — citizenship and family — that introduce the temple image to follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα: 'consequently'; with οὖν, an emphatic drawing of the conclusion.
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; reinforces ἄρα — the result of all that precedes.
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (negation of former state)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; the decisive end of the old alienation (cf. v.12).
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ξένοιstrangersNominativepredicate nominativeξένος: 'stranger, foreigner'; directly reversing v.12's ξένοι — no longer outsiders.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πάροικοιsojournersNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)πάροικος: 'resident alien, sojourner'; one dwelling among a people without citizen rights.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the sharp contrast introducing their new status.
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula, repeated for emphasis)→ stative present
συμπολῖταιfellow citizensNominativepredicate nominativeσυμπολίτης: 'fellow citizen' (σύν + πολίτης); full membership in the commonwealth they were once outside (v.12).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitivegenitive of association (fellow citizens with)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the people of God — possibly including the OT faithful, the heavenly company.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἰκεῖοιmembers of the householdNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)οἰκεῖος: 'belonging to the house, family member'; from οἶκος — they are now God's own family, bridging to the building image.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (God's household)θεός: God; the household belongs to him — citizenship and family both center on God.
20
ἐποικοδομηθέντες ἐπὶ τῷ θεμελίῳ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ προφητῶν, ὄντος ἀκρογωνιαίου αὐτοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ,
having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
The household image shifts to a building. The participle describes the readers as a structure already raised on the apostolic-prophetic foundation, with Christ himself as the determinative cornerstone that aligns the whole.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἐποικοδομηθέντεςhaving been built uponAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐποικοδομέωadverbial/predicate participle (modifies the 'you' of v.19)→ constative aorist (the completed building act)ἐποικοδομέω: 'build upon' (ἐπί + οἰκοδομέω); the passive — God is the builder, they the structure.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + dative (place/basis)
τῷtheDativearticle
θεμελίῳfoundationDativedat. of place (basis of the building)θεμέλιος: 'foundation'; the base on which the edifice rests.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivegenitive of apposition/source (the foundation that is...)ἀπόστολος: 'apostle'; the foundation laid by/consisting of the apostles' gospel witness (cf. 3:5; 4:11).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (coordinate)προφήτης: 'prophet'; most likely the NT prophets paired with apostles (cf. 3:5; 4:11), the era's foundational witnesses.
ὄντοςbeingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute participle→ stative presentεἰμί: the genitive absolute introduces a distinct clause — 'Christ himself being...'
ἀκρογωνιαίουcornerstoneGenitivepredicate genitive (within the gen. absolute)ἀκρογωνιαῖος: 'cornerstone' (or capstone); the chief stone setting the building's lines (cf. Isa 28:16; Ps 118:22).
αὐτοῦhimselfGenitiveintensive pronoun (with Christ)αὐτοῦ: 'himself'; emphatic — Christ in person is the cornerstone.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivesubject of the gen. absoluteΧριστός: 'Christ'; the cornerstone on which Jew and Gentile are jointly aligned.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition to Χριστοῦ
21
ἐν ᾧ πᾶσα οἰκοδομὴ συναρμολογουμένη αὔξει εἰς ναὸν ἅγιον ἐν κυρίῳ,
in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
The building is not static but living: united in Christ, it is being fitted together and growing toward its goal — a holy temple. The architectural metaphor becomes organic ('grows'), anticipating the body imagery of ch. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (antecedent: Christ)ᾧ: 'in whom' — Christ is the sphere within which the growth happens.
πᾶσαwhole/everyNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: anarthrous with οἰκοδομή — 'the whole building' (or 'every building'); the entire structure.
οἰκοδομὴbuildingNominativesubjectοἰκοδομή: 'building, structure'; the edifice being raised — the church under construction.
συναρμολογουμένηbeing joined togetherPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · συναρμολογέωattributive/circumstantial participle→ present (ongoing process)συναρμολογέω: 'fit/frame together' (σύν + ἁρμός, 'joint'); each stone precisely fitted — also of the body in 4:16.
αὔξειgrowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb→ present (continuing process)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase'; an organic verb for a building — the temple is alive and expanding.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
ναὸνtempleAccusativeobject of εἰς (the goal of growth)ναός: 'temple, sanctuary' (the inner shrine, not the precincts ἱερόν); the dwelling of God's presence.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; the temple is consecrated — set apart for God's dwelling.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (union with the Lord)κύριος: 'Lord'; the holiness and unity of the temple are 'in the Lord' — in Christ.
22
ἐν ᾧ καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε εἰς κατοικητήριον τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν πνεύματι.
in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
The chapter's closing note brings the cosmic picture home: 'you also' are part of this rising temple. The far-off Gentiles are now stones in the very dwelling of God — by the Spirit, the climactic answer to the godlessness 'in the world' of v.12.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ᾧwhomDativerelative pronoun (antecedent: Christ)ᾧ: 'in whom'; again the locus is Christ.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunctionκαί: 'also'; the Gentile readers are expressly included in the building.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — the once-far-off Gentiles, now part of God's temple.
συνοικοδομεῖσθεyou are being built togetherPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · συνοικοδομέωmain verb→ present (ongoing process)συνοικοδομέω: 'build together with' (σύν + οἰκοδομέω); built up jointly with Jewish believers into one structure.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/result)
κατοικητήριονdwelling placeAccusativeobject of εἰς (the goal)κατοικητήριον: 'dwelling, habitation'; a permanent residence — God's settled dwelling among his people.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (whose dwelling)θεός: God; the church is the place God himself indwells — no longer 'without God' (v.12).
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (means/sphere)
πνεύματιthe SpiritDativedat. of means/sphere (the Holy Spirit)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; God dwells in this temple by the Spirit — the indwelling presence that constitutes the church his home.