Alienated (526) (apallotrioo from apó = marker of dissociation implying rupture of former association -- emphasizes idea of separation + allotrióo = alienate) means to alienate entirely, be alien or estranged. Webster adds that alienate means to to make unfriendly, hostile, or indifferent where attachment formerly existed. Apallotrioo is in the perfect tense and passive voice and indicates that something happened to all men in the past to cause them to be estranged (cf Ps 51:5 - Spurgeon's note, Ro 5:12-note) from God and that condition has persisted (perfect tense). All men were born "little sinners" and persist in that condition because -- perfect tense speaks of permanence. In other words we were in a continual state of separation, alienation and estrangement from God because of the "sin virus" we inherited from Adam. Paul explained how we contracted the "fatal" disease writing that... just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (see note Ro 5:12) Now believers have been transferred to another owner. Apallotrioo is used only two other times, both also by Paul... Ephesians 2:12 (note) remember that you were at that time (as Gentiles, heathens, before you became believers) separate from Christ, excluded (utterly alienated - apallotrioo) from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" Comment: An alien is one who does not “belong.” He is a stranger and foreigner, without the rights and privileges of citizenship. As far as the community of Israel was concerned, the Gentiles were on the outside, looking in. Ephesians 4:18 (note) being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart Belonging to the race of Adam, we are born alienated from God. Then as individuals, we each choose to accept and embrace that alienation with our wicked works. Apallotrioo is used in the Septuagint (LXX) where David explains that The wicked are estranged (apallotrioo) from the womb. These who speak lies go astray from birth." (Ps 58:3 - Spurgeon's note) David's point is that their corruption is not a development of later life but can be traced back to their birth - they were alienated and estranged from birth. Their lawlessness and rebellion are inborn, so that as men begin to talk, they begin to lie! They don't have to be taught! In Ezekiel God says that the hearts of the house of Israel...are estranged (apallotrioo) from Me through all their idols. (Ezek 14:5-note) Formerly (4218) (pote) means once or formerly. Once we were all alienated. Now that we are in Jesus, we are no longer alienated. The difference between a believer and a non-believer isn't merely forgiveness, but includes a complete change of status of the relationship between God and man. AND HOSTILE IN MIND: kai echthrous te dianoia: (Ro 5:10-note, Jas 4:4-note Titus 1:15-note, Titus 1:16-note) Before we were saved by grace through faith... (We were) enemies (echthros) (and) we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Ro 5:10-note) (We had our) mind set on the flesh (which) is hostile (echthra) toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so (Ro 8:7-note) (We were friends) with the world (which) is hostility (echthra) toward God. Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4-note)