Ephesians 2:11-13
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.“
I personally LOVE that this verse begins with the word “Therefore” because that is a prompting to me to look at what ‘events’ (not necessarily the order of what is written and formatted) preceded “Therefore” to inform what comes after “Therefore”. As my husband likes to say, it’s like hunting for buried treasure.
To understand the depth and marvel of today’s passage, we must do what Paul says to remember. To help us do that, let’s look at Ephesians 2:14-18:
“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.“
Ephesians 2:14-18 tells us that the dividing wall and hostility against Gentiles born from The Law was abolished by Jesus, making it possible for both Jew and Gentile to be reconciled to God through The Cross. THEREFORE, now we’re in Ephesians 2:11-13, REMEMBER that we Gentiles are now part of the commonwealth (community of inheritors; heritage; citizenship) of Israel. In other words, all believers of Christ are ‘of’ Israel, ‘of’ Christ because Christ is the new Israel. Therefore, the promises made to Israel are for you and for me. Also, because of Ephesians 2:14-18:
“THEREFORE then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Christ made us fellow citizens with the saints of Old — not that in the commonwealth there are now two groups within one household — we are one entire household of God! We are truly saints, one with Believers of God from the past. (I will do Bible study guide on the entire Book of Ephesians soon because there is so much more to unpack!)
Questions to ask yourself:
- In your view, what is the significance of being of one household with the saints of Old and how does that affect your view of your salvation/inheritance?
- What kinds of misconceptions have you heard about this passage and how would you lovingly but firmly clarify it to them?
- What do you think Paul’s goal was in writing about hostilities towards Gentiles being abolished (think of how the Old Testament described Gentiles)?
Prayer:
Thank you, O Lord, for making a way for us to be adopted into your family! The depth and beauty of your Word is unfathomable. Lord, help me to speak truth in love to those who either do not believe or have false views of what this passage is about. Help me not to puff up in knowledge but to grow in the knowledge AND grace of you, Lord Jesus. May this truth ignite joy, peace, and security because it is grounded in you alone and may it carry me through the rest of the week. In your wonderous name, Jesus, amen.