The Reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into One Body Ephesians 2:11-22

In this section of Ephesians (2:11-22) the grand Apostle Paul wished to convey that acceptance of God’s salvation through Christ brought about a spiritual union between Jews and Gentiles into one body, the church.  Ephesians 2:11-22 may be outlined as follows:  I. The Believer’s Past Spiritual Condition – Ephesians 2:11-12; II. The Believer’s Present Reconciliation – Ephesians 2:13-18; III. The Believer’s Future Habitation – Ephesians 2:19-22.

1. The Believer’s Past Spiritual Condition – Ephesians 2:11-12

Beginning in verse 11, Paul reminded the Ephesian Gentiles of their undesirable position of having no relationship with God.  These “Gentiles in the flesh” were call “Uncircumcision” by the Jews who were called “Circumcision.”  “Uncircumcision” was a term of disdain used by the Jews in reference to the Gentiles.   It intimated that the Gentiles were not a part of the covenant relationship that the Jews had with God (Genesis 17:1-14).  The physical mark of circumcision made a difference between Jews and Gentiles and affected every area of their lives.  It created a great social and spiritual barrier between the Jews and Gentiles!

Being alienated because of the physical rite of circumcision, the Gentiles did not possess four privileges that the Nation of Israel possessed.  First of all, the Gentiles were “without Christ.”  The name “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Messiah.”  The expression being “without Christ” means the Gentiles did not have the Messianic hope of the Jews (v. 12).  Second, the Gentiles were excluded from citizenship in Israel (v. 12b).  They were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel.  Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6).  Israel had a privileged position, for God had chosen them to bear witness of Him in this world (Deut. 7:6-11; Rom. 9:4-5).  No Gentile nation had been chosen for such a wonderful task!

Third, they were strangers from the Covenant of Promise (v. 12c).  God had made a Covenant of Promise to Israel only concerning the seed and the land (Genesis 12:2-3; 13:14-17; 15:1-21; 17:1-14; 22:15-19).

He had also promised that a king in the line of David would reign over the nation forever (II Sam. 7:12-17; Psalm 89:3-4; Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 15:14).  The Gentiles had no claim on these specific covenant blessings.  Fourth, the Gentiles had no hope and were without God in the world (v. 12d).  They had no hope because they were without God in the world.

1. The Believer’s Present Reconciliation – Ephesians 2:13-18

Having discussed the former desperate spiritual condition of the Gentiles in verses 11-12, Paul reviews how God remedied the Gentiles’ former spiritual condition by introducing the expression “But now.”  The Gentiles who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.  They have come near to God and the Jews by means of Christ’s sacrificial death.  Sin separates people from God and only Christ’s sacrifice can remove that sin barrier (v. 13).

Not only has Christ’s sacrifice brought about the union of Gentiles and Jews (v. 13), but Christ Himself is the peace between Jewish and Gentile believers, having made the two groups one, and having destroyed (abolished) the barrier of hostility that existed (v. 14).  The spiritual enmity that existed between the Jewish and Gentile believers has been destroyed by Christ; therefore, there should not be any hostility between Jewish and Gentile believers.

In verse 15, Paul described how and why this enmity came to an end.  In Christ’s flesh, He abolished the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances.  In Christ’s death, He rendered the Law inoperative in believers’ lives.  Jews and Gentiles were enemies because the Jews sought to keep the Law with its commandments and regulations, whereas the Gentiles were not concerned about them.  Since the Law has been rendered inoperative, Jewish-Gentile hostility has been abolished.  By ending this hostility between the Jews and Gentiles, “Christ made in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace.”  By the “one new man” (v. 15), Paul was speaking of the church, which is Christ’s body (Eph. 4:12).  There are many members in that one body, but all are one in Christ (Rom. 12:4-5; I Cor. 12:12-13).

In verse 16, the death of Christ as substitute for sinners is the basis of Christ’s reconciling work.   Through Christ’s reconciliation for mankind, He changed the relationship between man and God from one of enmity to amity!

In verses 17-18, because the reconciling work of Christ was complete, Christ “came and preached peace” to both Jews and Gentiles.   And by Him “both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”   After Christ’s resurrection, that message of peace was proclaimed by Christ and the apostles.  Believers have access through the Holy Spirit which indicates that peace has been established.

III. The Believer’s Future Habitation – Ephesians 2:19-22

In verses 19-22, Paul will describe the result of Christ’s saving work for the Gentile believers in contrast to their former condition.  First of all, in verse 19, Paul revealed that they genuinely belonged to the household of God.  They were not intruders.  Second, he revealed that they were an integral part of the fulfillment of God’s program and were intimately associated with the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 20).  Third, He showed that they were a necessary part of God’s program, not a haphazard afterthought (vv. 21-22).

May God Bless!