Ephesians 2:11

King James Version (KJV)

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Translations

Ephesians 2:11 - Amplified Bible

Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands.

Ephesians 2:11 - American Standard Version

Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

Ephesians 2:11 - Bible in Basic English

For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

Ephesians 2:11 - Darby Bible

Wherefore remember that *ye*, once nations in [the] flesh, who [are] called uncircumcision by that called circumcision in [the] flesh done with the hand;

Ephesians 2:11 - English Standard Version

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands–

Ephesians 2:11 - King James Version

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Ephesians 2:11 - La Biblia de las Americas

Recordad, pues, que en otro tiempo vosotros los gentiles en la carne, llamados incircuncisiòn por la tal llamada circuncisiòn, hecha por manos en la carne,

Ephesians 2:11 - The Message

But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

Ephesians 2:11 - New American Standard Bible

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," {which is} performed in the flesh by human hands--

Ephesians 2:11 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Por tanto, recuerden que en otro tiempo, ustedes los Gentiles en la carne, que son llamados "Incircuncisiòn" por la tal llamada "Circuncisiòn," hecha en la carne por manos humanas,

Ephesians 2:11 - World English Bible

Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands);

Ephesians 2:11 - Young's Living Translation

Wherefore, remember, that ye [were] once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

Ephesians 2:11 - Additional Comments

"Therefore remember" refers to the first part of the chapter, which tells why we need to be saved (1-3), what happens to the saved (4-7), how we are saved (8-9), and how to live (10). He is saying that since they are being worked on by Christ, to walk in good works, they should remember the state they came from, the state they are now in (verses 11-22). This understanding should help them in that walk.
Gentiles "in the flesh" means they were Gentiles by birth (NIV), but also acted worldly, in corruption (Matthew Henry). They were formerly in a fallen state (vss 1-3).
"The Circumcision" are the Jews, who refer to the Gentiles as the "Uncircumcision". Circumcision was an outward sign of an inward faith, similar to baptism today:
- Circumcision was required for OT faith - Gen 17:10-14
- Circumcision is primarily an effect in the heart, and not necessary for a relationship with God - Deut 30:6, Psa 67:2-5, Isa 42:6-7, 2 Chr 32:23, Gal 5:2, 6:15, Col 2:11, 3:11
- Baptism was "required" for NT faith - Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Rom 6:4, 1 Pet 3:21
- Baptism is also primarily an effect in the heart, necessary for obedience but not for salvation - Acts 8:35-38, Rom 10:9-10, 1 John 5:1

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