Ephesians Week 5 - One in Christ

Week 5

Ephesians 2:11–22 ESV

11 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— 12 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 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, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

This section of Paul’s letter touches on three states of being for the recipients:

Their former corporate condition apart from Christ (VS. 11–13)

Their corporate reconciliation in Christ (VS. 14–18)

Their new standing as members of God’s new humanity (VS. 19–22)

The theme of this entire section is reconciliation, which involves bringing fallen humanity out of alienation into a state of peace and harmony with God.

Jesus, as Reconciler, heals the separation and brokenness created by sin and restores communion between God and people.

Reconciliation is not a process by which people gradually become more acceptable to God but a decisive act (like a legal verdict) by which believers are delivered from estrangement to fellowship with God.

Breakdown of VS. 11-22

VS. 11-13

Paul then moves to look at Gentiles and point out that at one time you were far from God - literally not allowed to come to God

First, they were separate from (lit., “without”) Christ not only personally (true also of many Jews) but also in that they had no national hope of the Messiah.

Second, they were excluded from citizenship in Israel.

Third, they were foreigners to the covenants of the promise

Fourth, the Gentiles were without hope.

Fifth, they were without God (atheoi, “apart from God”) in the world.

Yet he says - BUT NOW (Big but!!!)

BUT NOW in Christ you who once were far off have been brought near

Now it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew - or Greek(Gentile)

Vs. 14-16

Paul then shows that Christ is peace

That though Jews and Greeks are different and disagree and hate one another - in Christ, he brings peace

This peace is that we are now made one together

That we are now one body

VS. 17-18

Jesus’ message is that peace would come in salvation

That by being saved we are no longer dead to God - but as vs. 18 says we have access to the Father

And that access is from one Spirit - the Holy Spirit

VS. 19-22

Paul is finishing up chapter 2 by showing that we are all now fellow citizens because of Christ

Jesus is the cornerstone of all that happens - if he is the central point - all things will be smooth and peaceful

If he is not - there will be hurt

Jesus is working on us and growing us that we will be built into what God is calling us to be

Questions