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◄ Ephesians 4:18►

New International Version
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

New Living Translation
Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

English Standard Version
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Berean Standard Bible
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

Berean Literal Bible
being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance being in them on account of the hardness of their heart,

King James Bible
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

New King James Version
having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

New American Standard Bible
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

NASB 1995
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

NASB 1977
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

Legacy Standard Bible
being darkened in their mind, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.

Amplified Bible
for their [moral] understanding is darkenedand their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienatedand self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignoranceand spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardnessand insensitivity of their heart.

Christian Standard Bible
They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.

American Standard Version
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;

Contemporary English Version
Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right,

English Revised Version
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They can't understand because they are in the dark. They are excluded from the life that God approves of because of their ignorance and stubbornness.

Good News Translation
and whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn.

International Standard Version
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.

NET Bible
They are darkened in their understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

New Heart English Bible
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;

Webster's Bible Translation
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Weymouth New Testament
with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no share in the Life which God gives.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.

World English Bible
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart,

Berean Literal Bible
being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance being in them on account of the hardness of their heart,

Young's Literal Translation
being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart,

Smith's Literal Translation
Being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God by ignorance being in them, by the hardness of their heart;

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
having their intellect obscured, being alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is within them, because of the blindness of their hearts.

New American Bible
darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart,

New Revised Standard Version
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And whose understanding is dark, and who are alienated from the life of God, because they have no knowledge, and because of the blindness of their hearts;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they are dark in their intellects and are aliens to the Life of God, because there is no knowledge in them and because of the blindness of their heart,

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

Godbey New Testament
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance being in themselves, on account of the blindness of their heart;

Haweis New Testament
darkened in understanding; alienated from the life of God through the ignorance which is in them; through the blindness of their hearts:

Mace New Testament
which are overspread with darkness, and averse to a religious life, thro' their innate ignorance and obduracy:

Weymouth New Testament
with darkened understandings, having by reason of the ignorance which is deep-seated in them and the insensibility of their moral nature, no share in the Life which God gives.

Worrell New Testament
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts;

Worsley New Testament
in the vanity of their mind, darkened in their understanding,and alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them, by reason of the hardness of their heart:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

New Life in Christ
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.19Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Colossians 1:21
Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds.

John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

1 John 2:11
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Matthew 13:15
For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Acts 28:27
For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

2 Timothy 3:7
who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Jeremiah 5:21
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Psalm 82:5
They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Treasury of Scripture

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

the understanding.

Psalm 74:20
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idolsare silver and gold, the work of men's hands…

Isaiah 44:18-20
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see;and their hearts, that they cannot understand…

alienated.

Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Romans 8:7,8
Because the carnal mindis enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be…

Galatians 4:8
Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

because.

Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorifiedhim not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 2:19
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

1 John 2:11
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

blindness.

Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Matthew 13:15
For this people's heart is waxed gross, andtheir ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see withtheir eyes, and hear withtheir ears, and should understand withtheir heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

John 12:40
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see withtheir eyes, nor understand withtheir heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

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Alienated Blindness Dark Darkened Deep-Seated Due Estranged Excluded Gives Hard Hardening Hardness Heart Hearts Ignorance Life Moral Nature Reason Separated Share Strange Thoughts Understanding Understandings

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Ephesians 4

1.He exhorts to unity;
7.and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11.that his church might be edified,
16.and grow up in Christ.
18.He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24.to put on the new man;
25.to cast off lying;
29.and corrupt communication.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

They are darkened in their understanding
This phrase suggests a spiritual blindness or lack of insight into divine truths. In biblical context, darkness often symbolizes ignorance and separation from God (John 1:5). The understanding here refers to the mind's ability to perceive spiritual realities. This darkening is a result of sin, as seen inRomans 1:21, where people, although knowing God, did not honor Him, leading to futile thinking and darkened hearts.

and alienated from the life of God
Alienation from God indicates a separation from His presence and the spiritual life He offers. This echoes the condition of humanity after the Fall, as described inGenesis 3, where sin caused a rift between God and man. The life of God refers to the eternal life and fellowship with Him, which is restored through Christ (John 17:3).Ephesians 2:12 also speaks of being "separate from Christ" and "without hope."

because of the ignorance that is in them
Ignorance here is not merely a lack of knowledge but a willful rejection of God's truth. This ignorance is a spiritual condition, as seen inHosea 4:6, where God laments that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It is a deliberate turning away from God, leading to moral and spiritual decay.

due to the hardness of their hearts
The hardness of heart is a biblical metaphor for stubbornness and resistance to God's will. This condition is often self-imposed, as seen in Pharaoh's hardened heart inExodus 7-11. It signifies an unwillingness to repent and accept God's truth. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the hardness of heart as a barrier to understanding His teachings (Mark 8:17). This hardness results in spiritual insensitivity and alienation from God.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus to instruct and encourage them in their faith.

2.Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for its diverse culture and the Temple of Artemis. The Ephesian church was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers.

3.The Ephesian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, consisting of early Christians who were navigating their faith in a predominantly pagan society.

Teaching Points

Understanding and Ignorance
The verse highlights the spiritual blindness that results from ignorance. As believers, we are called to seek wisdom and understanding through God's Word to avoid being darkened in our understanding.

Alienation from God
Sin and ignorance separate us from the life God intends for us. We must strive to remain connected to God through prayer, study, and fellowship.

The Heart's Condition
A hardened heart leads to spiritual ignorance. Regular self-examination and repentance are necessary to maintain a soft heart towards God.

Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit enlightens our understanding and softens our hearts. We should continually seek the Spirit's guidance in our daily walk.

Community and Accountability
Being part of a faith community helps prevent spiritual ignorance and hardness of heart. Engage in regular fellowship and accountability with other believers.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 4

What does being alienated from God mean?

Why are people destroyed for lack of knowledge?

What does the Bible say about mean-spiritedness?

What are the consequences of acting foolishly?

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18)Having the understanding darkened.--Of this vanity the first result noted is the intellectual. They are "darkened in the understanding," and so, "by the ignorance in them alienated from the life of God." The phrase "the life of God" is unique. It may, however, be interpreted by a similar phrase, the "righteousness of God" (Romans 1:7),i.e.,the righteousness given by God. What the life given by God is, we know by our Lord's own words (John 17:3), "This is the life eternal, to know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent." So far as the understanding is concerned, this alienation signifies the loss of the central light of Truth in God, and with it the loss, partial or complete, of the vision of other truths in their right proportion and harmony.

But the second result is moral. St. Paul attributes the alienation from God, or (possibly, though less probably) "the ignorance which is in them," tothe hardness of their heart--for the marginal reading is correct; the word used signifies, almost technically, "callousness" and insensibility. To make his meaning clearer still he adds, "who (or,inasmuch as they) being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness." There is precisely a similar current of thought (noting, however, the characteristic difference referred to above) inRomans 1:24-32, where St. Paul draws out, as consequences of the same vanity, first lusts of uncleanness, next unnatural sin, and at last breaks out into a fearful enumeration of the signs of the reprobate mind. On this side, therefore, "the alienation from the life of God" is the loss of the grace by which He dwells in the soul, and by indwelling gives it the moral and spiritual life.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. -Being darkened in their understanding (second point of difference), and thus blind to all that is most vital - ignorant of God, of the way of salvation, of the love of Christ. Even at best the natural understanding cannot discover these things, and when it is not only imperfect but darkened - made more obscure than ever by sin (see after) - its guidance is altogether defective. It has been said truly that the youngest scholar in a Sunday school that has been taught the elements of the gospel has more light than the wisest of the heathen.Alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart (third point of difference). Two causes are given for their alienation, viz. ignorance, and hardness of heart, this last being theultimate cause. Through worldly living, their hearts have become hard, callous, insensible to spiritual influences, perceiving no beauty in Divine things, no preciousness in Divine promises, no excellence in the Divine image; this makes them ignorant, careless, foolish; and such being their state of heart, they are alienated from the life of God, can't bear vital religion, hate the very idea of spiritual and holy service.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

They are darkened
ἐσκοτωμένοι(eskotōmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4656:(lit. or met.) I darken. From skotos; to obscure or blind.

in [their]
τῇ(tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

understanding
διανοίᾳ(dianoia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1271:From dia and nous; deep thought, properly, the faculty, by implication, its exercise.

[and]
ὄντες(ontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

alienated from
ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι(apēllotriōmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 526:From apo and a derivative of allotrios; to estrange away, i.e. to be non-participant.

the
τῆς(tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

life
ζωῆς(zōēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222:Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

of God
Θεοῦ(Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

because of
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τὴν(tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ignorance
ἄγνοιαν(agnoian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 52:Ignorance, inadvertence, sometimes with the idea of willful blindness. From agnoeo; ignorance.

that is
οὖσαν(ousan)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

them
αὐτοῖς(autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

due to
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τὴν(tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hardness
πώρωσιν(pōrōsin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4457:Hardness of heart, obtuseness. From poroo; stupidity or callousness.

of
τῆς(tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

their
αὐτῶν(autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

hearts.
καρδίας(kardias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588:Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:18 Being darkened in their understanding alienated (Ephes. Eph. Ep)