Ephesians Series: Ephesians 2:12-The Five Descriptions of Unregenerate Gentiles in Ephesians 2:11 is Related to the Eight Privileges God Gave the Jews in Romans 9:4-5

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, each and every one of you as a corporate unit must continue to make it your habit of remembering that formerly each of you who belong to the Gentile race with respect to the human body, specifically, those who receive the designation “uncircumcision” by the those who receive the designation “circumcision” with respect to the human body performed by human hands, 12 each one of you used to be characterized as without a relationship with Christ. Each one of you used to be alienated from the nation of Israel’s citizenship. Specifically, each of you used to be strangers to the most important promise, which is the product of the covenants. Each of you used to not possess a confident expectation of blessing. Consequently, each one of you used to be without a relationship with God in the sphere of the cosmic world system. (Lecturer’s translation)

Now, Ephesians 2:12 is a hoti (ὅτι) direct object clause, which serves as the direct object of the second person plural present active imperative conjugation of the verb mnēmoneuō (μνημονεύω), which appears in Ephesians 2:11, and resumes the hoti (ὅτι) direct object clause in Ephesians 2:11.

This verse contains five more descriptions of these Gentile Christians prior to their justification.

The first asserts that they were characterized as being without a relationship with Jesus Christ and the second asserts that they were characterized as being alienated from the citizenship of Israel.

The third asserts that they were characterized as being strangers to the covenants, which all produced the promise of a Savior and the fourth asserts that they were characterized as not possessing a confident expectation of blessing.

The fifth and final description asserts that they were characterized as being without a relationship with God in the sphere of the cosmic world of Satan.

A comparison of the contents of Ephesians 2:13 and this hoti (ὅτι) direct object clause in Ephesians 2:12 indicates that these Gentile Christians who were at one time prior to their justification without a relationship with Jesus Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, possessing no confident expectation of blessing and were without a relationship with God in the world were brought near to God and His covenant people, Israel by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:12 also presents the reason why they were brought near to God and His covenant, namely because of their faith in Christ at justification and union and identification with Him.

Therefore, this hoti (ὅτι) direct object clause in Ephesians 2:12 would indicate this action on the part of God when they were without a relationship with Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, not possessing a confident expectation of blessing and were without a relationship with God in the world was to receive the action of being remembered by these Gentile Christians.

Now, each of these five descriptions of these Gentile Christians prior to their conversion to Christianity in Ephesians 2:12 are alluding to the privileges God bestowed upon the nation of Israel.

In Romans 3:2 and 9:4-5, Paul enumerates these privileges.

Romans 3:1 Therefore, what is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect! 2 Indeed, the primary one that they were entrusted with the declarations by God. (Lecturer’s translation)

In Romans 3:2, Paul asserts that God graciously bestowed upon the Jews the Old Testament Scriptures.

Romans 9:1 I am speaking the truth in accordance with the code of Christ. I am by no means lying, while my conscience does confirm to me in accordance with the code of the Holy Spirit. 2 That, as far my feelings are concerned, there is always great sorrow as well as unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 In fact, I could almost wish that I myself could be accursed, totally and completely separated from Christ as a substitute for my brothers, specifically, my fellow countrymen with respect to racial descent. 4 Who indeed by virtue of their unique, privileged character are Israelites. To them belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the service and the promises. 5 To them belong the fathers and from them, the Christ with respect to human racial descent, the one who is God over each and every living and non-living thing, worthy of praise and glorification throughout eternity. Amen! (Lecturer’s translation)

The eight privileges listed by Paul in Romans 9:4-5 are as follows: (1) “To whom belongs the adoptions as sons” (2) “The glory” (3) “The covenants” (4) “The giving of the Law” (5) “The temple service” (6) “The promises” (7) “The fathers” (8) “From whom is the Christ according to the flesh”.

In Romans 9:4, the plural form of the proper name Israelites, “Israelites” speaks of the fact that the Jew is a member of a theocracy.

It identifies them as members of a unique, privileged covenant people of God, heir of the promises given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whose name was later changed by the Lord to “Israel.”

This name is not the first in the list of privileges that God bestowed upon the Jewish people.

Rather, it serves as further identification of the last clause that appears at the end of Romans 9:3, namely, to adelphon mou ton sungenon mou kata sarka, “my brothers, specifically, my fellow countrymen with respect to racial descent.”

Also, it serves as a heading for the list of eight privileges that God bestowed upon the Jewish people that are listed in Romans 9:4-5.

Therefore, the eight privileges that follow the term “Israelites” serve to identify Paul and his fellow Jews who are the unique, chosen, privileged, covenant people of God.

“The adoption as sons” is the noun huiothesia (υἱοθεσία) and Romans 9:4 is the only instance in the Greek New Testament that this word is used in relation to members of the nation of Israel, the majority of whom rejected Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah.

Thus, it is surprising that Paul would attribute this word to unregenerate Israel.

Furthermore it is never used in the Old Testament or in Judaism for Israel.

Some erroneously conclude that this indicates that the nation of Israel remains the children of God just as church age believers, i.e. Christians are God’s people.

However, this interpretation totally contradicts Paul’s teaching in the first eight chapters of Romans where he teaches that it is only through faith alone in Christ alone that one becomes a son and child of God.

Furthermore, we cannot explain Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing grief for the nation of Israel in verses 2 and 3 if we interpret huiothesia (υἱοθεσία) as referring to Israel as the children of God.

Also, Paul teaches in Romans 9:6 that not all who have descended from Israel constitute spiritual Israel or those whom God recognizes as His covenant people.

Therefore, we can conclude that Paul’s use of huiothesia (υἱοθεσία) in Romans 9:4 means something totally different when the word is applied to Christians in Romans 8:15, 23, Galatians 4:5, and Ephesians 1:5.

The adoption as sons in Romans 8:15, 23, Galatians 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5 is related to the “individual” whereas the adoption as sons in Romans 9:4 is “national.”

In Romans 9:4, Paul’s refers to the Old Testament teaching concerning the nation of Israel that they were “God’s son” in a “national” sense meaning that God had set apart Israel from all the nations of the earth for blessing and service.

In Romans 9:4, “the glory” is the noun doxa (δόξα), which refers to the visible manifestation of God’s presence that appeared to the nation of Israel throughout her history and it refers to the “Shekinah” glory in the Old Testament.

The Lord Jesus Christ was the “Shekinah” glory in the Old Testament.

The term “Shekinah” is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “the one who dwells” or “that which dwells.”

“The covenants” is the noun diatheke(διαθήκη), which refers to the five covenants given to Israel, four were unconditional and one conditional.

The four great “unconditional” covenants to Israel: (1) “Abrahamic” deals with the race of Israel (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:16; 22:15-18). (2) “Palestinian” is the promise of land to Israel (Gn. 13:15; Num. 34:1-12). (3) “Davidic” deals with the aristocracy of Israel (2 Sam. 7:8-17) (4) “New” deals with the future restoration of Israel during the millennium (Jer. 31:31-34).

The “Mosaic” covenant is the only “conditional” covenant that Israel received from God (cf. Ex. 19:4-6; Deut. 4:4-8 with Ex. 2:24-25; Deut. 4:36-38; 29:31; 1 Chron. 16:15-19).

“The giving of the Law” speaks of course to the law God gave Moses on Mount Sinai.

“The temple service” is the noun latreia(λατρεία), which refers to the service connected with the tabernacle and temple worship.

In Romans 9:5, “from whom is the Christ according to the flesh” is the eighth and final privilege that God bestowed upon the nation of Israel.

It speaks of the fact that the Messiah or Savior of the world would descend from the nation of Israel.

So therefore, in relation to Ephesians 2:12, these eight privileges in Romans 9:4-5 that God graciously bestowed on the nation of Israel implies that the Gentiles were cut off each of them.

They were not adopted by God, nor did they received the presence of the Shekinah Glory, nor were they give the Abraham, Palestinian, Davidic, New and Mosaic covenants.

They were not given the Law, nor the temple service or the unconditional promises that God made to Israel and they did not descend from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Lastly, the Messiah did not descend from any Gentile nation on earth.

Thus, when Paul describes the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:12, he is alluding to each of these eight privileges directly or indirectly.

Thus, the five descriptions of the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:12 are from the Gentile perspective, five disadvantages.