EPHESIANS

W. J. Franklin

Chapter 2:11-22

GENTILE POSITION BEFORE CHRIST

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands”—V. 11. In view of all the great things that have been bestowed on us, as recorded in the past verses, in view of the fact that we were Gentiles, Paul calls on us to “Remember” from whence God brought us. These verses show us what we were and what our position was before God brought in the Gentiles. We were as weeds or wild animals just growing wild with no master but Satan. Not having been included in the covenant. We did not have the mark of the covenant in our flesh which God had commanded the Jews.

When we look back and consider that pit from whence God dug us (Isa. 51:1), our sense of appreciation is greatly enlarged. Hence, Paul said, “Remember.”

There is a circumcision not made with hands. See Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11. This is our present position, even though at the time of which Paul speaks, we didn’t even have the mark of the covenant of God in our flesh as did the Jew.

“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”—V. 12. We were “Without Christ,” a state that could not have been worse for an earth-dwelling man. We were “Aliens” from Israel’s commonwealth. Israel had all that the Gentiles failed to have. “Strangers from the covenants of promise,” indicate that we knew nothing of the coming Messiah, nor His work for the human race, which promises a basis. We can wish with no reason, but to have a solid hope, we must have a ground for it. We had no covenant, so, no hope. “Without God in the world.” “Without God” is one word in the Greek language, and this is the word from which we obtain the word, “Atheist.” Gentiles, as to their experience, were totally ignorant of the true God.

Note that though we Gentiles had no covenant, and were even strangers to God’s word to Israel, the promises and the covenants did exist and they were given to Israel. Read Rom. 9:4; Gal. 3:18.

BROUGHT NEAR AND RECONCILED

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ”—V. 13. “At that time” and “Now” are in contrast. We were “Far off,” but now in Christ we are “Made nigh.” Royal blood made this possible. Israel camped around God’s tabernacle of old, but no Gentile could come into that circle. “Now” we are made near to God.

“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”—V. 14. Our “Peace” is more than just an experience. It is a Person, even as is our salvation—Lk. 2:30, our righteousness and sanctification—I Cor. 1:30, and also, our propitiation—Rom. 3:25. He is many other things to us, too numerous to mention. Marvelous, that one of the members of the Godhead is our peace!

Jesus made of two, one. There is no longer a wall threatening with death all Gentiles who cross a certain barrier. Christ took it out of the way. God rent the veil as well as removing the middle wall and eventually destroyed the temple itself.

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace”—V. 15. Something has been abolished. The “Enmity” is mentioned here and in the 16th verse. The word means, hostility, discord, to feud, or it also means, alienation. The “Enmity” is said to be the law of commandments contained in ordinances. “Abolished” means, to be or render entirely idle or useless, to render unproductive or powerless, to make empty, to render null, cancel, bring to an end. This Jesus did to the law. As a dispensation or a religious economy, it has run its course.

There was enmity between Jew and Gentile. The Jew looked down on the Gentile and the Gentile disdained the Jew. It was a mutual dislike and they despised each other. Also, there was enmity between God and man because the Jew broke the law all the time, and used it to judge the Gentile. The law was that in which the Jew boasted, and for which some professing Christians would bleed or die. Yet it was an enmity that had to be taken out of the way. The Jew was kept at a distance by a barrier created of the very law in which he boasted. See Ex. 24:1; Num. 2:2; Joshua 3:4. It accused those who trusted in it—John 5:45. It made sin exceeding sinful—Rom. 7:13. Jesus broke down the wall and abolished the enmity, and made one new man, the glorious new creation man. Now in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek—Gal. 3:28. This brings peace both to those calling themselves Jews and those calling themselves Gentiles.

“And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby”—V. 16. We are now all reconciled in one body. This is the body of Christ. There are no longer races of different levels before God. And especially is it true that in the new creation, the one new man, the church, the body of Christ, is there no difference.

The enmity was literally “killed” as the word “Slain” is properly translated. This is very strong language against the doctrine that some people hold as to keeping the law of Moses. The law is like a doctor that is no longer in practice. It is a “Has been” as far as being God’s means of approach is concerned.

“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were night”—V. 17. On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angels said, “Peace on earth.” Jesus is our peace. He made peace and preached peace. On the words, “Afar off” and “Nigh,” see Isa. 57:19; Acts 2:39. Also, V. 13 of our study chapter. Jesus made peace between God and man. This He alone could do. We could never make our own peace with God. We simply accept the peace that Jesus made at the cross.

“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father”—V. 18. Note the operation of the trinity in this verse. Through Jesus our Savior, we have access to our Father, through one Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

“Access” means, admission, approach, access to the presence of anyone. It comes from another Greek word meaning, to lead towards, that is, to conduct near. For sidelights, see Eph. 3:12; Rom. 5:2.

WE ARE ONE COMMONWEALTH, ONE HOUSEHOLD

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God”—V. 19. This verse needs to be read in connection with verse twelve. All that was so negative for us there is made positive for us in this verse. All that we lacked then, we have now. We are fellow-citizens and real members in the household of God. All Christians share this position, though many may not enjoy it because of not having been taught their place in Christ. Those who had obtained Roman citizenship enjoyed privileges not known by many others. How much more is this true for those of the human race who have obtained a citizenship with the saints of God.

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone”—V. 20. How far we have come. We were far off, now we are nigh. We were Gentiles after the flesh, now a part of a spiritual house. We are now members of the body of Christ, though formerly, members of a lost race. Individually, we are temples of God, and collectively, we are being built as living stones into a spiritual temple. We are children in the household of God. The position in the bride of Christ has not come before us yet.

The “Prophets” of this verse are New Testament prophets, as the apostles are mentioned first. See Ch. 3:5.

Believers are lively (living) stones—I Pet. 2:4,5. Jesus is a living stone—I Pet. 2:4. He is also a foundation stone, a tried stone, and a precious corner stone—Isa. 28:16.

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord”—V. 21. “All the building” has reference to all the Christians of this age, whether called from among Jews or Gentiles. The building is “Fitly framed” or joined, connected together. Another translates it, “Fitted together.” Jesus works long with many to make them fit. Christ is the great builder of His church, as He said in Matt., “On this rock will I build My Church. “ The church is still in process of building, but in God’s own time, He will finish it. And may the finishing day be close at hand.

The figure changes from a building to something that is growing. Growth speaks of life. The temple of God continues to grow as new members are added to it.

“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit”—V. 22. In Christ, we are all growing and being built unto a living temple for God’s own habitation through the Spirit.