King James Bible
"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:"
Paul reminds the Gentile believers of their former spiritual state before conversion—completely separated from the Messiah. This temporal marker emphasizes the dramatic transformation they've experienced, contrasting their past hopelessness with their present union with Christ. Gentiles were excluded from Israel's national privileges and the covenant promises given to Abraham, Moses, and David. This double metaphor of "aliens" and "strangers" underscores their status as outsiders to God's chosen people and the messianic promises that seemed reserved for Jews alone. The climax reveals the ultimate consequence of their separation: existential despair and practical atheism. Though many Gentiles worshiped various deities, Paul declares they were effectively godless—lacking knowledge of the true God and therefore without hope for redemption or eternal life.