What Does Ephesians 2:14 Mean in the King James?
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Peace here is not a truce across a wall: he is the one who brings the two together by bringing the wall down.
THE MEANING
He is the reader’s peace: the one who makes the two one as the barrier between them is broken down. Peace is not merely quiet while division remains in place; here it takes the form of a shared belonging in him.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that peace can exist while the dividing wall stays intact.
THE ROOT
εἰρήνη
eirēnē
GROWS FROM
εἰρήνη
eirēnē
Peace, concord, a state of restored relationship.
The same Greek word family names peace as a state and the making of peace as an act. Here peace is not an abstract feeling: it is present in the one who makes both one.
ALSO GROWS
eirēneuō: To live in peace or be at peace.
εἰρηνεύω
The shared root carries peace into a way of relating, echoing the unity he creates.
eirēnopoios: Peacemaker.
εἰρηνοποιός
This branch names one who makes peace, fitting the verse’s picture of peace as the one who brings the two together.
λύσας
lysas
GROWS FROM
λύω
lyō
To loosen, release, or dissolve.
The verb translated “broken down” belongs to the root meaning loosen or dissolve. The partition is not simply crossed or ignored; it is dismantled, so the two can become one.
ALSO GROWS
lysis: A loosening or release.
λύσις
This branch makes the release within “broken down” visible: the barrier loses its hold.
apolyō: To release or dismiss.
ἀπολύω
The same root extends from loosening to release, illuminating the removal of what keeps the two apart.
THE PATTERN
Unity takes shape when what divides people is removed and they share life together.
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.THE THREAD
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.Ephesians calls him “our peace”; Colossians uses the same Greek peace word family for making peace and reconciling all things. The shared root shows peace as an act of bringing what is divided into restored relationship.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us