Ephesians 2:16
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
American King James Version (AKJV)
And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
American Standard Version (ASV)
and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Basic English Translation (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's Revision
And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having by it slain the enmity:
World English Bible
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby.
English Revised Version (ERV)
and might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Definitions for Ephesians 2:16
Clarke's Ephesians 2:16 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Ephesians 2:16 Bible Commentary
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, see the notes on 2 Corinthians 5:18.
In one body - One spiritual personage - the church; see the notes at Ephesians 1:23.
By the cross - By the atonement which he made on the cross; see Colossians 1:20; compare the notes at Romans 3:25. 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 - Margin, "in himself." The meaning is, in his cross, or by means of his cross.
Wesley's Ephesians 2:16 Bible Commentary
2:16 In one body - One church. Having slain - By his own death on the cross. The enmity - Which had been between sinners and God.
