Ephesians 2:11

New Life Corporately

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 –

Ephesians 3:8

3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ²  – this grace was given, ³  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

Ephesians 4:17

Live in Holiness

4:17 So I say this, and insist ⁴  in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility ⁵  of their thinking. ⁶ 

[2:11]  ¹ tn Grk “in the flesh.”

[3:8]  ² sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.

[3:8]  ³ sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).

[4:17]  ³ tn On the translation of μαρτύρομαι (marturomai) as “insist” see BDAG 619 s.v. 2.

[4:17]  ⁴ tn On the translation of ματαιότης (mataioth") as “futility” see BDAG 621 s.v.

[4:17]  ⁵ tn Or “thoughts,” “mind.”