Whichever translation of the Bible you use, Ephesians 2 begins the same way. It is a description of "you" (it's actually the Ephesians, but it applies to you). The different versions use different words, but they all have the same meaning:
NIV - "As for you, you were"
NLT - "Once you were"
ESV - "And you were"
NASB - "And you were"
The opening thought is about the life you once lived, your past. The picture Paul paints of the past isn't pretty, he says we were dead in sins.
Verse four is the exact opposite. Paul takes his eyes off us and puts them where they ought to be, on God"
NIV - "But... God, who is..."
NLT - "But God is..."
ESV - "But God, being..."
NASB - "But God, being..."
The contrast is between how we acted (dead) and who God is (merciful). The lesson is obvious. No matter what evil exists in your past, God's mercy extends to it. No matter how much wrong you may have done, God's love covers it. No matter how much blame you place on yourself, God is bigger.
Today, take a minute and remind yourself of this powerful truth:
What I've done before
Is not who I am anymore
Not because of my good deeds
But because of who God is!
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