Efeslilere 2:11

Ki̇tap (Turkish Bible)

11 Bunun için, öteki uluslardan doğan sizler bir zamanlar ne olduğunuzu anımsayın: Bedende elle yapılmış sünnete sahip olup ‹‹sünnetli›› diye anılanların ‹‹sünnetsiz›› dedikleri sizler,

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

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.