Ephesians 2:11

Amplified Bible

Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called "Uncircumcision" by those who called themselves "Circumcision," [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands—

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You were not born as Jews. You are the people the Jews call "uncircumcised." Those Jews who call you "uncircumcised" call themselves "circumcised." (Their circumcision is only something they themselves do to their bodies.)

Revised Standard Version
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands--

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Wherfore remeber yt ye beynge in tyme passed getyls in ye flesshe and were called vncircucision to the which are called circucisio in the flesshe which circucision is made by hondes:

Hebrew Names Version
Therefore remember that once you, the Goyim in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands);

New American Standard Bible
Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision" which is performed in the flesh by human hands—

New Century Version
You 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.)

Update Bible Version
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;

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

English Standard Version
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—

World English Bible
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);

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh (who were called the uncircumcision, by that which is called the circumcision made with hands in the flesh) Were at that time without Christ,

Weymouth's New Testament
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.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
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;

English Revised Version
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;

Berean Standard Bible
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)-

Contemporary English Version
Don't forget that you are Gentiles. In fact, you used to be called "uncircumcised" by those who take pride in being circumcised.

American Standard Version
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;

Bible in Basic English
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;

Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth — called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised —

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

International Standard Version
So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles by birthin the flesh">[fn] and were called "the uncircumcision" by what is called "the circumcision" made in the flesh by hands.Romans 2:28-29; 1 Corinthians 12:2; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:21;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Wherefore be mindful, that you Gentiles at first were carnal, and were called the Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision, and is the work of the hands in the flesh;

Murdock Translation
Wherefore be mindful, that ye formerly were carnal Gentiles; and ye were called the uncircumcision, by that which is called the circumcision, and which is the work of the hands in the flesh.

King James Version (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,

New Living Translation
Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called "uncircumcised heathens" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

New Life Bible
Do not forget that at one time you did not know God. The Jews, who had gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew by man's hands, said you were people who do not know God.

New Revised Standard
So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision"—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands—

Geneva Bible (1587)
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,

George Lamsa Translation
Wherefore remember that you were Gentiles in the flesh from the beginning, and you were called Uncircumcision, differing from that which is called Circumcision, which is the work of the hands in the flesh.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wherefore, keep in remembrance - that, at one time, ye, the nations in flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision in flesh, made by hand,

Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore gentiles is the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands:

Bishop's Bible (1568)
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:

Good News Translation
You 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.

Christian Standard Bible®
So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands.

King James Version
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;

Lexham English Bible
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,

Literal Translation
Because of this, remember that you, the nations, were then in the flesh (those having been called Uncircumcision by those having been called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands)

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
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)

Mace New Testament (1729)
Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation;

THE MESSAGE
But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

New English Translation
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—

New King James Version
Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't forget that those of you who were not Jews used to be outsiders. The Jews even called y'all, "unclipped outlaws." They were proud of their clipped pickles, but they didn't realize it only affected their body, not their heart.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands—

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, remember that formerly you—the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands—

Contextual Overview

¹¹Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called "Uncircumcision" by those who called themselves "Circumcision," [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands—¹²remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God's agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God. ¹³But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

remember: Ephesians 5:8, Deuteronomy 5:15, Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 9:7, Deuteronomy 15:15, Deuteronomy 16:12, Isaiah 51:1, Isaiah 51:2, Ezekiel 16:61-63, Ezekiel 20:43, Ezekiel 36:31, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 1 Corinthians 12:2, Galatians 4:8, Galatians 4:9

Gentiles: Romans 2:29, Galatians 2:15, Galatians 6:12, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 2:13

Uncircumcision: 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, Jeremiah 9:25, Jeremiah 9:26, Philippians 3:3, Colossians 3:11

made: Colossians 2:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:10 - Every Numbers 15:15 - One Deuteronomy 6:21 - General Joshua 5:9 - I rolled away 1 Samuel 14:6 - uncircumcised Psalms 103:2 - forget not Psalms 106:7 - they Isaiah 33:13 - Hear Isaiah 55:5 - thou shalt Isaiah 56:7 - them will Micah 6:5 - remember Matthew 8:11 - That Matthew 12:18 - and he Matthew 20:7 - Because Luke 14:23 - Go Luke 22:61 - And Peter Acts 10:45 - the Gentiles Acts 11:18 - hath Romans 2:9 - of the Jew Romans 2:17 - thou art Romans 2:25 - circumcision Romans 4:9 - Cometh Romans 7:5 - in the flesh Romans 9:24 - not of the Jews Romans 11:17 - being 1 Corinthians 10:18 - Israel 1 Corinthians 12:13 - whether we be Jews Ephesians 1:13 - ye also Ephesians 3:3 - as I Colossians 4:11 - who

Cross-References

Genesis 10:7
the sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca; and the sons of Raamah; Sheba and Dedan.

Genesis 10:29
and Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.

Genesis 25:18
Ishmael's sons (descendants) settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt as one goes toward Assyria; he settled opposite (east) of all his relatives.

1 Samuel 15:7
Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Wherefore remember, that ye be in time past Gentiles in the flesh,.... This, with what follows in the next verse, the apostle puts the converted Ephesians in mind of, in order to magnify the grace of God in their conversion; and to humble them in a view of their former state and condition; and to teach them that they could never be saved by any works of theirs: particularly he would have them call to mind, that they were in "time past Gentiles"; which does not so much regard the nation and country they were of, for in that sense they were Gentiles still; but their state and condition; they had been very blind and ignorant, were Gentiles that knew not God; they had been very wicked and profligate sinners of the Gentiles; and they had been "Gentiles in the flesh": not according to the flesh, or by birth, for so they were then; but in the time of their unregeneracy they were carnal, and minded the things of the flesh, walked after it, and fulfilled the lusts, and did the works of it; particular respect seems to be had to their uncircumcision in the flesh, to which circumcision in the flesh is opposed in the next clause:

who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that is, they were by way of reproach and contempt called uncircumcised persons; than whom none were more abominable to the Jews, and hated by them, who were called circumcised persons from that circumcision which is outward, in the flesh, in a particular part of the body; and which is done by the hands of a man, who was called מוהל, "the circumciser"; which any one might be, except a Gentile u; an Israelite adult and skilful was preferred; yet these were not circumcised persons with that circumcision that is inward, and is of the heart, in the Spirit, and is made without the hands of men, and by the Spirit and power of God.

u Maimon. Hilchot Milah, c. 2. sect. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Wherefore remember - The design of this evidently is, to excite a sense of gratitude in their bosoms for that mercy which had called them from the errors and sins of their former lives, to the privileges of Christians. It is a good thing for Christians to “remember” what they were. No faculty of the mind can be better employed to produce humility, penitence, gratitude, and love, than the memory. It is well to recall the recollection of our former sins; to dwell upon our hardness of heart, our alienation, and our unbelief; and to remember our wanderings and our guilt, until the heart be affected, and we are made to feel. The converted Ephesians had much guilt to recollect and to mourn over in their former life; and so have all who are converted to the Christian faith.

That ye being in time past - Formerly - (ποτε pote.)

Gentiles in the flesh - You were Gentiles “in the flesh,” i. e., under the dominion of the flesh, subject to the control of carnal appetites and pleasures.

Who are called Uncircumcision - That is, who are called “the uncircumcised.” This was a term similar to that which we use when we speak of “the unbaptized.” It meant that they were without the pale of the people of God; that they enjoyed none of the ordinances and privileges of the true religion; and was commonly a term of reproach; compare Judges 14:3; Jdg 15:18; 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 17:26; 1 Samuel 31:4; Ezekiel 31:18.

By that which is called the Circumcision - By those who are circumcised, i. e., by the Jews.

In the flesh made by hands - In contradistinction from the circumcision of the heart; see the notes at Romans 2:28-29. They had externally adopted the rites of the true religion, though it did not follow that they had the circumcision of the heart, or that they were the true children of God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 11. Wherefore remember — That ye may ever see and feel your obligations to live a pure and holy life, and be unfeignedly thankful to God for your salvation, remember that ye were once heathens in the flesh-without the pure doctrine, and under the influence of your corrupt nature; such as by the Jew's (who gloried, in consequence of their circumcision, to be in covenant with God) were called uncircumcision; i.e. persons out of the Divine covenant, and having no right or title to any blessing of God.