Ephesians 2:12

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[Remember] that you were at that time without Christ; [you were] excluded from citizenship in the nation of Israel; [you were] foreigners regarding the Agreements of [God’s] promises. You had no hope and were without God in the world.

Cross References

Galatians 4:8

At that time, when you did not know God [as your Father], you were in bondage to those who were, by nature, not really gods at all.

Colossians 1:21

And though you were once estranged [from God] and were enemies [of His] in your mind because of your evil deeds,

1 Peter 1:3

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to be praised for being so merciful as to have given us a new birth, which provides for us a hope of never ending life through the means of Jesus Christ’s return from the dead.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

But we want you to be informed, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep [in death] so that you do not grieve, as other people do [i.e., the unsaved], who have no hope.

Ephesians 4:18

Their understanding [of spiritual things] is darkened and excluded from the [spiritual] life that God gives, because of the ignorance in their minds and the stubbornness in their hearts.

1 Thessalonians 4:5

not in passionate lust, as the [unconverted] Gentiles, who do not know God, do.

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if [you are] separated from me.

Hebrews 6:18

He did this so that by two unchangeable things [i.e., His promise and His oath], (and it is impossible for God to lie), we, who have fled [to God] for refuge, could be greatly encouraged to take hold of the hope set before us [i.e., the hope of never ending life].

Romans 9:8

This means that it is not the physical descendants [of Abraham] who are God’s children, but it is the children [born] according to [God’s] promise who are [Abraham’s true] descendants.

1 Peter 3:15

But instead, set aside a place in your hearts where Christ is [in full control as] Lord, and be prepared always to give a suitable reply to every person who asks you for a reason why you have an inner hope. But [be sure you do it] in a meek and respectful way, however.

Acts 28:20

It was for this reason that I requested to see you and talk with you, for I am wearing this chain because of the hope held by the Israelites.”

Acts 3:25

You people are descendants of these prophets and [recipients] of the Agreement God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham [Gen. 12:3], ‘And through your seed [i.e., your descendant Jesus] all the people of the earth will receive the blessings [of God].’

1 John 3:3

And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

1 Peter 1:21

[It is] through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and honored, that you people have become believers in God, so that your faith and hope could rest in God.

Hebrews 11:34

they put out raging fires, and they escaped being killed by swords. They were strengthened when weak, became mighty in battle, and defeated foreign armies.

1 Timothy 1:1

[This letter is from] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope [of never ending life. See Titus 3:7].

2 Thessalonians 2:16

Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us never ending encouragement and good hope through [His] unearned favor,

Colossians 1:27

He was pleased to make known to these people the wealth of His splendor among the Gentiles; this hidden secret, which is Christ among you, [is] the hope of being honored [i.e., in heaven].

Colossians 1:5

[You have these qualities] because of the hope stored up for you in heaven, which [hope] you previously heard about through the message of truth when the Gospel

John 10:16

I have other sheep [also] which are not [presently] in this corral; I must lead them, too. They will hear my voice and become one flock [i.e., with the others], having one shepherd. [Note: This probably refers to believing Gentiles becoming God’s people, along with the Jews].

John 4:22

You [Samaritans] do not [really] know what you worship; we [Jews] know what we worship because salvation is from the Jews [i.e., through Jewish prophets, Jewish Scriptures and a Jewish Messiah].

Luke 1:72

in order to show mercy to our forefathers and to remember His holy Agreement.

Acts 2:39

For the promise [of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit] is being given to you [Jews] and to your descendants and [also] to all those who are far away [i.e., Gentiles. See Eph. 2:17]. [This promise is] to as many as [respond to] the Lord, our God’s call [through the Gospel, See II Thess. 2:14].”

Ephesians 2:19

So then, you [Gentiles] are no longer foreigners and aliens [i.e., to God’s promises. See verse 12], but you are fellow-citizens with the saints [i.e., God’s holy people], and are part of God’s family.

Hebrews 8:6

But now Jesus has obtained a ministry that is as far superior [to that of the Levitical priesthood] as the [New] Agreement, of which He is the Mediator, is better [than the old one], because it has been enacted on better promises.