• Ephesians 4:18
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 18 ἐσκοτωμένοι (ones) having been darkened τῇ to the διανοίᾳ perception ὄντες, (ones) being, ἀπηλλοτριωμένοι (ones) having been alienated τῆς of the ζωῆς life τοῦ of the θεοῦ, God, διὰ through τὴν the ἄγνοιαν ignorance τὴν the οὖσαν being ἐν in αὐτοῖς, them, διὰ through τὴν the πώρωσιν dulling τῆς of the καρδίας heart αὐτῶν, of them,

  • Ephesians 4:18
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 18 Being darkened in their understanding, Alienated from the life of God—By reason of the ignorance that existeth within them, By reason of their hearts being turned into stone,

  • Ephesians 4:18
    King James Version

    • 18 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:

  • Ephesians Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:18

      in darkness mentally: Paul’s remarks are not about the intelligence of unbelievers. The Bible often compares lack of understanding, especially in a spiritual sense, to darkness. (Job 12:24, 25; Isa 5:20; 60:2; Joh 8:12; 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:17, 18; 5:8, 11; 1Pe 2:9; 1Jo 2:9-11) Those who have not come to know Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are “in darkness mentally” because they have no guiding light or sense of direction in their endeavors.​—Joh 17:3; Ro 1:21, 28; 2Co 4:4.

      the life that belongs to God: According to one reference work, the Greek word here translated “life” means “life as a principle, life in the absolute sense.” (There is a different Greek word for “life” that means “way of life,” or “lifestyle.” See, for example, 1Ti 2:2; 1Jo 2:16.) Thus, Paul is saying that mental and spiritual darkness has alienated, or separated, people from Jehovah, the Source of life and of the hope of everlasting life.​—Ps 36:9; Ro 1:21; Ga 6:8; Col 1:21.

      insensitivity: Lit., “dulling.” People who are immersed in the thinking and spirit of this unrighteous world have figurative hearts that are insensitive, or dulled. (1Co 2:12; Eph 2:2; 4:17) Thus, they have no desire to gain the knowledge of God. The Greek noun here rendered “insensitivity” is derived from a medical term that among other things refers to skin made insensitive because of calluses. Here it is used to describe the way the figurative heart could gradually become hardened, or unfeeling, toward God.