Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Made Alive in Christ

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(a) 2} in which you used to live^(b) when you followed the ways of this world^(c) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(d) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(e) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(f) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](g) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(h) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions⁽ⁱ⁾—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(j) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(k) and seated us with him^(l) in the heavenly realms^(m) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,⁽ⁿ⁾ expressed in his kindness^(o) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(p) you have been saved,^(q) through faith^(r)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(s) so that no one can boast.^{(t) 10} For we are God's handiwork,^(u) created^(v) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(w) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(x) you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)^(y)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(z) to the covenants of the promise,^(aa) without hope^(ab) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(ac) were far away have been brought near^(ad) by the blood of Christ.^(ae)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(af) who has made the two groups one^(ag) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(ah) the law with its commands and regulations.^(ai) His purpose was to create in himself one^(aj) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(ak) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(al) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(am) 18} For through him we both have access^(an) to the Father^(ao) by one Spirit.^(ap)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(aq) but fellow citizens^(ar) with God's people and also members of his household,^{(as) 20} built^(at) on the foundation^(au) of the apostles and prophets,^(av) with Christ Jesus himself^(aw) as the chief cornerstone.^{(ax) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(ay) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(az)

Chapter 3

God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(a) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me^(b) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(c) made known to me by revelation,^(d) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(e) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.^{(f) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(g) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(h) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(j) by the gift of God's grace given me^(k) through the working of his power.^{(l) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people,^(m) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles⁽ⁿ⁾ the boundless riches of Christ,^{(o) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(p) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(q) should be made known^(r) to the rulers and authorities^(s) in the heavenly realms,^{(t) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(u) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(v) with freedom and confidence.^{(w) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(x) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(y) he may strengthen you with power^(z) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(aa) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(ab) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(ac) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people,^(ad) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(ae) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(af)—that you may be filled^(ag) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(ah)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(ai) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(aj) or imagine, according to his power^(ak) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(al)