[7] Some translations decline to add a form of words on mankind being made alive: the New Revised Standard Version, for example, reads: The metaphor, "the prince of the power of the air" or "the ruler of the power of the air", is not used elsewhere in the New Testament.

[12] The verse describes that before being saved, converts were just as bad as those outside the faith - that they gave in to their baser thoughts and impulses.

Others believe it refers to the descendants of Cain, who slew Abel in his anger and brought murder into the world.

[citation needed] This is another review of the believers' transition from the past life to the "new humanity" (verse 15), from the perspective of the saving work of God through Israel which is now open to all through Christ.

[15] The image of the gentiles as being "far off" and "brought near" is also used in the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter speaks to the Pentecost crowds in Jerusalem saying: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that "nigh” and “far” were also familiar rabbinical terms in the sense of having or not having part in the covenant.