2:11 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 1 by human hands – 2:12 that you were at that time without the Messiah, 2 alienated from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, 3 having no hope and without God in the world.
1 tn Grk “in the flesh.”
2 tn Or “without Christ.” Both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.” Because the context refers to ancient Israel’s messianic expectation, “Messiah” was employed in the translation at this point rather than “Christ.”
3 tn Or “covenants of the promise.”