Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Separate from Christ (xwriv Xristou). Ablative case with adverbial preposition xwriv, describing their former condition as heathen.
Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel (aphllotriwmenoi thv politeiav tou Israhl). Perfect passive participle of apallotriow, for which see Colossians 1:21. Here followed by ablative case politeiav, old word from politeuw, to be a citizen (Philippians 1:27) from polithv and that from poliv (city). Only twice in N.T., here as commonwealth (the spiritual Israel or Kingdom of God) and Acts 22:28 as citizenship.
Strangers from the covenants of the promise (cenoi twn diaqhkwn thv epaggeliav). For cenov (Latin hospes), as stranger see Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:38, Matthew 25:43 f., as guest-friend see Romans 16:23. Here it is followed by the ablative case diaqhkwn.
Having no hope (elpida mh exontev). No hope of any kind. In Galatians 4:8 ouk (strong negative) occurs with eidotev qeon, but here mh gives a more subjective picture (1 Thessalonians 4:5).
Without God (aqeoi). Old Greek word, not in LXX, only here in N.T. Atheists in the original sense of being without God and also in the sense of hostility to God from failure to worship him. See Paul's words in Romans 1:18-32. "In the world" (en tw kosmw) goes with both phrases. It is a terrible picture that Paul gives, but a true one.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
John 12:22
John 15:5
Acts 17:18
Ephesians 2:11
Ephesians 2:19
Ephesians 4:18
Colossians 1:18
Colossians 1:21
2 Thessalonians 1:8
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