EPH 2:11 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Because of that, don’t forget that you all were once fleshly unbelievers (nicknamed ‘the uncircumcised ones’ by circumcised Jews who mark the bodies of their males with human hands).

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Therefore, remember that once you were Gentiles in the flesh, the ones being called “uncircumcised” by the ones being called “circumcised” in the flesh, performed by human hands.

UST So remember that previously you non-Jewish people according to who your ancestors were did not belong to God’s people. The Jews insulted you by calling you “the uncircumcised.” They call themselves “the circumcised.” By this they mean that they, not you, are God’s people, although circumcision is something that humans do that only changes the body, not something that God does that changes the spirit.

BSB Therefore remember that formerly you who [are] Gentiles in [the] flesh [and] called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision ({that done} in [the] body by human hands)—

MSB Therefore remember that formerly you who [are] Gentiles in [the] flesh [and] called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision ({that done} in [the] body by human hands)—

BLB Therefore remember that formerly you--the Gentiles in the flesh, the ones being called the uncircumcision by that being called the circumcision, made by hands in the flesh--

AICNT Therefore, remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision,” which is made in the flesh by hands.

OEB Remember, therefore, that you were once Gentiles yourselves, as your bodies showed; you were called “the Uncircumcised” by those who were called “the Circumcised” – circumcised only by human hands!

WEBBE Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands),

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh – who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” that is performed on the body by human hands –

LSV For this reason, remember, that you [were] once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

FBV So you who are “foreigners” humanly-speaking, called “uncircumcised” by those who are “circumcised”[fn] (which is only a procedure carried out by human beings), you need to remember

2:11 That is, the Jews (circumcised) and the Gentiles (uncircumcised).

TCNT Therefore remember that [fn]you, once Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “the uncircumcision” by those who call themselves “the circumcision,” which is made in the flesh by hands—

2:11 you, once ¦ at one time you CT

T4T 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►.

LEB ¶ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, the so-called uncircumcision by the so-called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands,

BBE For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

Moff Remember, then, that once upon a time you Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "the Uncircumcision" by that so-called "Circumcision" which is itself the product of human hands in the flesh —

Wymth Therefore, do not forget that formerly you were Gentiles as to your bodily condition. You were called the Uncircumcision by those who style themselves the Circumcised—their circumcision being one which the knife has effected.

ASV Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

DRA For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands;

YLT Wherefore, remember, that ye [were] once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

Drby Wherefore remember that ye, once nations in [the] flesh, who [are] called uncircumcision by that called circumcision in [the] flesh done with the hand;

RV Wherefore remember, that aforetime ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
(Wherefore remember, that aforetime/previously ye/you_all, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; )

SLT Wherefore remember, that ye then the nations in the flesh, being reckoned Uncircumcision by the Circumcision in the flesh reckoned made by hands;

Wbstr Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

KJB-1769 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
(Wherefore remember, that ye/you_all being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; )

KJB-1611 Wherefore remember that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called vncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,
(Wherefore remember that ye/you_all being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,)

Bshps Wherfore, remember that ye being in tyme passed gentiles in the flesshe, called vncircumcision of that which is called circumcision in the flesshe, made by handes:
(Wherefore, remember that ye/you_all being in time passed gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision of that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands:)

Gnva Wherefore remember that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, and called vncircumcision of them, which are called circumcision in the flesh, made with hands,
(Wherefore remember that ye/you_all being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, and called uncircumcision of them, which are called circumcision in the flesh, made with hands, )

Cvdl Wherfore remebre, that ye (which afore tyme were Gentyles after the flesh, and were called vn circumcision, of the that are called circumcision after the flesh, which circumcision is made with the hande)
(Wherefore remebre, that ye/you_all (which afore time were Gentiles after the flesh, and were called un circumcision, of the that are called circumcision after the flesh, which circumcision is made with the hande))

TNT Wherfore remember that ye beynge in tyme passed getyls in the flesshe and were called vncircumcision to the which are called circucision in the flesshe which circucision is made by hondes:
(Wherefore remember that ye/you_all being in time passed getyls in the flesh and were called uncircumcision to the which are called circumcision in the flesh which circumcision is made by hands: )

Wycl For which thing be ye myndeful, that sumtyme ye weren hethene in fleisch, which weren seid prepucie, fro that that is seid circumcisioun maad bi hond in fleisch;
(For which thing be ye/you_all mindful, that sometime ye/you_all were heathen in flesh, which were said prepucie, from that that is said circumcision made by hand in flesh;)

Luth Darum gedenket daran, daß ihr, die ihr weiland nach dem Fleisch Heiden gewesen seid und die Vorhaut genannt wurdet von denen, die genannt sind die Beschneidung nach dem Fleisch, die mit der Hand geschieht,
(Therefore remembers to_it, that you(pl)/their/her, the you(pl)/their/her once/formerly after to_him flesh heathens been are and the foreskin named wurdet from those, the named are the Beschneidung after to_him flesh, the with the/of_the hand happens/occurs,)

ClVg Propter quod memores estote quod aliquando vos gentes in carne, qui dicimini præputium ab ea quæ dicitur circumcisio in carne, manu facta:[fn]
(Because that memores be that sometimes you(pl) people/nations in/into/on flesh/meat, who/which to_be_saidmini foreskin away them which it_is_said circumcision in/into/on flesh/meat, by_hand facts: )

2.11 Propter quod. Ut sciatis omnia esse a gratia Dei. Contulerat Judæos et gentes, quod utrique sub peccato fuissent, nunc ostendit gentes fuisse indigniores et improperia Judæorum perpessas, ut modo æquales Judæis, magis sint obnoxii gratiæ Dei. Aliquando vos. In quibusdam codicibus reperitur scriptum esse: qui, ibi: vos qui gentes eratis, et secundum hoc suspensive legitur usque ibi: Nunc autem in Christo, etc.; eodem tamen manente sensu.

2.11 Because that. As you(pl)_know everything to_be from grace of_God. Contulerat Yudahos and people/nations, that utrique under sin they_would_have_been, now he_showed people/nations to_have_been indigniores and improperia Yudahorum suffereds, as just/only equalles To_the_Jews, more let_them_be obnoxii thanks of_God. Aliquando you(pl). In to_some codicibus findsur written to_be: who, there: you(pl) who/which people/nations you_were, and after/second this suspensive it_is_read until there: now however in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah, etc.; the_same nevertheless manente sense.

UGNT διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι ποτὲ ὑμεῖς, τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,
(dio mnaʸmoneuete hoti pote humeis, ta ethnaʸ en sarki, hoi legomenoi akrobustia hupo taʸs legomenaʸs peritomaʸs en sarki ⱪeiropoiaʸtou,)

SBL-GNT Διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι ⸂ποτὲ ὑμεῖς⸃ τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,
(Dio mnaʸmoneuete hoti ⸂pote humeis⸃ ta ethnaʸ en sarki, hoi legomenoi akrobustia hupo taʸs legomenaʸs peritomaʸs en sarki ⱪeiropoiaʸtou,)

RP-GNT Διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι ὑμεῖς ποτὲ τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,
(Dio mnaʸmoneuete hoti humeis pote ta ethnaʸ en sarki, hoi legomenoi akrobustia hupo taʸs legomenaʸs peritomaʸs en sarki ⱪeiropoiaʸtou,)

TC-GNT Διὸ μνημονεύετε ὅτι [fn]ὑμεῖς ποτε τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί, οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκὶ χειροποιήτου,
(Dio mnaʸmoneuete hoti humeis pote ta ethnaʸ en sarki, hoi legomenoi akrobustia hupo taʸs legomenaʸs peritomaʸs en sarki ⱪeiropoiaʸtou, )

2:11 υμεις ποτε ¦ ποτε υμεις CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:11–22: God has united Jews and non-Jews through Christ

In 2:11–22, Paul described another aspect of God’s salvation. Previously Jews and Gentiles were enemies. But Christ, by his death on the cross, has made peace between both groups of people and God. Because of this, there is peace between the two groups also. So the Gentile Christians now belong to the family of God just like Jewish Christians do.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Christ has united all people

All people are one in Christ

Paragraph 2:11–13

Paul again describes the former condition of the Ephesians: they did not share in any of the privileges of the Jews. They were far from God and had no hope. But now they have been brought close to God because Christ died in their place for their sins.

2:11–12

Verses 2:11–12 are one complex sentence in Greek and in the BSB. The main verb of this sentence is “remember,” which occurs at the beginning of 2:11. However, the main things that Paul wants the Ephesians to remember are listed in 2:12. To show this relationship, some good translation models to follow are the NCV and GNT. The NCV places “remember” in 2:12. The GNT places “remember” at the end of 2:11.

¹¹You were not born Jewish. You are the people the Jews call “uncircumcised.” Those who call you “uncircumcised” call themselves “circumcised.” (Their circumcision is only something they themselves do on their bodies.) ^12aRemember that in the past you were without Christ… (NCV)

¹¹You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to what men do to their bodies)—remember what you were in the past. (GNT)

Although the BSB does not break this into shorter sentences, it does repeat the verb “remember” in 2:12a.

2:11

This verse refers to a particular Jewish custom called “circumcision.”

Circumcision is the cutting off of a band of skin, called the foreskin, from around the end of the penis.

You may want to use a euphemism to describe this event. Some examples are:

mark

receive the mark

Circumcision was the special mark or sign God gave to the Jews which showed they were his chosen people. Since the Gentiles did not practice circumcision, this showed that they did not belong to God’s chosen people.

2:11a

Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh

¶ Therefore, you who were born Gentiles, remember how you were in the past.
¶ Do not forget that you were not born Jewish.

Therefore: The conjunction Therefore refers back to 2:1–10. Paul is reminding the Ephesians again of what they were like before they became Christians.

Here is another way to translate this word:

So then (NRSV)

remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh: The word that the BSB translates as remember is a command. It means “keep in mind” or “think of.” Most English versions translate it positively, remember. A few versions translate it using a negative, for example:

do not forget (NLT)

formerly: The word formerly means “in the past” or “previously.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

before you believed in Christ

prior to becoming a Christian

Gentiles: This word Gentiles refers to all people who are not Jews. See Gentiles, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

non-Jews

people who are not Jews

in the flesh: The Greek phrase which the BSB literally translates as in the flesh refers to the fact that the Ephesians were not circumcised physically (in the flesh) like the Jews were. They were born Gentiles. See flesh, Meaning 5, in the Glossary for more information.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. (NLT)

Remember that once you were not Jewish physically. (GW)

2:11b

and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision

You were called “uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves “the circumcised.”
The Jews insultingly say to you, “you are uncircumcised people.” They say this because they proudly consider themselves to be the people of God because they are circumcised.

called uncircumcised: When a Jew called someone uncircumcised, he was insulting him. To a Jew, anyone who was uncircumcised was a pagan, which is an unbeliever. If the verb for called in your language has only a positive meaning, you may need to choose another verb or add a word such as “insult” to give the proper meaning of this clause.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

uncircumcised heathen

despicable people without the mark of God

by the so-called circumcision: The phrase by the so-called circumcision refers to the Jewish people. They called themselves the circumcision because their men were circumcised. You may need to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (GNT)

Jewish people who say, “we are circumcised people.”

This context implies that the Jews were proud of this sign that they were God’s chosen people. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision (NLT)

marked as God’s chosen people

2:11c

(that done in the body by human hands)—

(which refers to what men do to their bodies.) (GNT)
But circumcision is only a ceremony which men do to their bodies.

In 2:11c, Paul says two things about circumcision. These are discussed in the following two notes.

that done in the body: The first thing that Paul said about circumcision is that it is done in the body. This means it is a ritual that someone does to a man’s body. Paul implied that circumcision affects a man’s outward appearance, but does not change his heart or change his behavior.

body: This is literally “flesh.” See flesh, Meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

by human hands: The second thing that Paul said about circumcision is that it is done by human hands. This means it is something people do, not something God does.

In other words, circumcision is only an outward, physical ceremony. A person may be circumcised following the Jewish religion, but that does not mean that the person has allowed God to change his inner being. (See Romans 2:28–29 and Colossians 2:11.)

General Comment on 2:11c

2:11c is background information Paul gives explaining about circumcision. The BSB has used parentheses to indicate this. Try to indicate it in a natural way in your language.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

διὸ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Διό μνημονεύετε ὅτι ποτέ ὑμεῖς τά ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί οἱ λεγόμενοι ἀκροβυστία ὑπό τῆς λεγομένης περιτομῆς ἐν σαρκί χειροποιήτου)

The connecting word Therefore introduces a reason-result relationship. The reason is that they were saved by God and not by anything they had done on their own. The result is that the Ephesians would remember that they were once separated from God. Use a phrase in your language that connects a reason to a result.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὰ ἔθνη ἐν σαρκί

Here, Gentiles refers to people who were not born Jewish.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἀκροβυστία

˓the˒_uncircumcision

Non-Jewish people were not circumcised as babies, so the Jews considered them people who do not follow any of God’s laws. Alternate translation: [uncircumcised pagans]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

περιτομῆς

circumcision

This was another term for Jewish people because all male infants were circumcised. Alternate translation: [circumcised people]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ὑπὸ τῆς λεγομένης

You can translate this with an active form. Alternate translation: [by what people call] or [by those whom people call]

Parallel EPH 2:11