Ephesians 2:11-22: Together as One Body

I. Introduction

A. Some of my favorite hobbies are learning about history.

B.  I’m a history guy who likes to know about the past.

C. History was one of my favorite classes in high school and college.

D. Learning church history was one of my favorite classes in the Seminary.

E. The more we learn about history, the more we know about past mistakes.

F. One of the grievous mistakes of our Nation is the racial discrimination and segregation against other ethnic groups.

G. Over the past years, we have seen these deep societal wounds cause friction between people.

H. Some people might think they don’t exist, but they do.

I. Example: My Racial Bullying

a. I remember that when I was in middle school, I was targeted for racial comments by my classmates.

b. Some probably heard those same comments at home, but I remember being called names that hurt my soul.

c. I remember that my mom took us to Moes after school, and we told her what was going on with teary eyes.

d.  I remember my mother's calm reaction, but her face was visibly upset.

e. The next day, she went to the principal's office without an appointment, and honestly, I don’t think she cared.

f. The next day, the class I attended spent a period of time talking about racism and its implications for others.

g. After that, a girl told me, “You know we were only kidding, right?”

J. Today's passage will show how Gentiles were outside God's covenant.

K. Yet, God still brings them to himself. Identifiable to my story,:

Has there been a moment when you felt like you didn’t belong in the Church?

L.  Thankfully, we have a Lord who loves and doesn’t hate, cares for us instead of abandoning us, and gives up everything for us instead of demanding anything from us.

M. This passage shows that God's love goes beyond cultural borders.

Main Idea: God has made a new body through Christ, in which we have peace with God.

N. God has made a new body through Jesus; in that body, we are one with our savior and have peace with God through him.

II. Review

A. We have gone over what our identity in Christ is.

B. We are changed beings, from dead to light.

C. As Art described, we are saved by Grace through faith.

D. God, in making us new creations, made us workmen.

III. What We were Before Christ (v.11-12)

Ephesians 2:11–12 “So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.”

Ephesians 2:11–12 CSB

So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.

A. In verse 11, we observe Paul’s audience in this section.

B. Remember that the Ephesian church included Gentiles.

C. The inclusion of Gentile characteristics is notable in Paul’s ministry to convert.

D. In this verse, we come off the heels of verses 1-10.

E. In those verses, Paul explains our identity and how we were made alive.

F. Since we were made alive, we have communion with Christ.

G. Unfortunately, the unity in Christ has people taken aback and shaken in this context

H. We see Paul address the Gentiles to remind them of their previous lives, which are characterized by being " uncircumcised.”

I. This remembering is akin to the story of Exodus, when Moses calls the Israelites to remember that God brought them out of Egypt. 

J. This remaining is again shown by the characterization that had pledged different churches on this day.

K. As noted by Baugh, “flesh” could have a double meaning. 

a.  First, “flesh” would, in the case of ethnic origins, refer to someone who wasn’t circumcised. 

b. It also means those who were in sin.

c. Looking at the distinction, it is summarized that Jews commonly distinguished themselves from Gentiles by the fact that their males were circumcised—the mark of their covenant with God (Gen. 117:9-14).

d.  This became a matter of inappropriate ethnic pride for many Jews, who referred to Gentiles as “the uncircumcision” (lit., “those with foreskins”). 

e. Mainly, Paul is also calling out the Jewish Christian idolization of being circumcised.

IV. Verse 12 “What We were Before Christ pt.2”

A. In verse 12, Paul continues this train of thought by describing the five circumstances Gentiles faced before Christ. 

B. The first is that they were without Christ.

a. What does this mean? To be without Christ implies that they originally had no hope for the Messiah.

b. The group of Gentiles in this church would have expanded to include Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others.

c. They were outside of the covenant life of Israel, and the nature of the Messiah would have been foreign to them.

C. Paul then describes how they were excluded from Israeli citizenship.

a. This may not be very clear because of some people’s theology.

b. Paul is saying that as Gentiles, they were outside the sphere of God’s blessings. 

c. This would mean that they didn’t have the privileges that Israel had with God, detaching them from the blessings that. God gave to Israel.

d. This would be because Gentiles were intentionally biased against Israelites.

D. They would also be foreigners of the Covenant.

a. This would include the lapse of covenantal history and benefits that Gentiles did not participate in.

b. These covenants are expressed in the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants described in the Old Testament.  (Arnold)

c. This is due to the Gentiles having no access to the Hebrew Scriptures and not knowing this information.

E. This culminated in their lack of hope and conception of the one true God, partly due to the arrogance of their lifestyles and culture.

F.  They had no hope because they did not know they needed a savior.

G. This word for “godless” or “without God” is vital because of the meaning behind this word.

H. Thielman highlights,

1. “This term, ἄθεος (atheoi), is used by Gentiles to the Jewish people who deny their gods.”  This term in English is called “atheist.” Why would Paul use this term? As Arnold states, “There is incredible irony in Paul’s referring to a formerly polytheistic group of people as 'godless' (atheoi). What Paul has in mind is that they did not have a relationship with the one true God.”

V. By the Blood of Christ (v.13)

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:13 CSB

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

A. Despite all this, the Gentiles, who were far away, were brought near by the blood in verse 13.

B. Arnold demonstrates that the language of this verse echoes Isaiah 57:19 (“Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the LORD”), which Paul here and more explicitly in Ephesians 2:17 declares as fulfilled by Jesus's work on the cross.

C. Those “far” are understood to be the Gentiles, and those “near” are the Jews.

D. Yet both now have access to the Father only through the blood of Christ

E. Paul continues this train of thought in this section with an essential Christological text.

F. Arnold signifies that this “in Jesus Christ showcases a critical dynamic relationship between Gentiles and Jesus. 

G. This relationship had a cost. That was the blood of Christ.

H. Baugh states that in the ancient world, this would have been seen as Jesus' role of high-priestly death.  

I.  This is the main element that bridges us to God.

VI. Christ’s achievement: One Body (v.14-15)

Ephesians 2:14-15

Ephesians 2:14–15 CSB

For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.

A. Verse 14

a. We see the unification of two groups, Jews and Gentiles.

b. Some ancient background is needed to understand what Paul is starting.

c. Back in ancient times, if a gentile wanted to worship God, he would become what we would call a proselyte.

d. This would mean he would “convert” to the culture and religion of the Jewish people. Paul is stating that this act, under Christ, is voided.

e. This is due to what Paul states in verse 13, in Christ, He has conjoined both groups into one.

f. Why did this need to be done?

g. As we look at the reason, there is a “dividing wall and a fence.”

h.  According to some commentators,

1. This metaphor could have a double meaning. The first is the religious background of the text.

2. The Old Testament has Mosaic Law, differentiating between Israelites and Gentiles.

3. Some define the second as “Gentiles were allowed to enter the temple enclosure in Jerusalem.

4. A double colonnade of thirty-seven-foot-high pillars enclosed this large paved area surrounding the temple and its inner courts.

5.  The perimeter of this area measured nearly three-quarters of a mile.

6. This outer court was also called the Court of the Gentiles. Gentiles were not allowed access to the inner courts or the temple.

7. A four and a half foot high barrier surrounding the inner courts served as a dividing wall.

8. The Jewish historian Josephus informs us that thirteen stone slabs written in Greek and Latin stood at intervals on the barrier, warning Gentiles not to enter.

9.  Archaeologists have discovered two of these tablets.

10. The inscription reads: “No foreigner is to enter within the forecourt and the balustrade around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his subsequent death.”

11. This barrier recently impressed Paul because he was falsely accused in Jerusalem of taking a Gentile, Trophimus, into the temple (Acts 21:28-29).

i. Paul is showcasing a new temple as a new group. Jesus Christ created that temple. This new temple looks past ethnic backgrounds. There is no dividing wall with this temple. We are one with Christ.

B. Verse 15a

a. Paul furthers this argument. Some translations have “no effect.”

b.  This might also be translated as abolishment. T

c. his might be done to help, not confuse. Paul is referring to Christ's fulfillment of the Law.

d. In creating a new group that consists of Jews and Gentiles, the covenant regulations are no longer active.

e.  This is because he is abolishing this law.

f.  So what is being replaced is the Law that required separation, which now brings together this law

C. Verse 15b

a. He continues this thought with the conclusion of verse 15.

b. This is part of their transformation into a new creation. There's no longer a division between the two groups.

c. As one commentator said,

1. “Jesus didn’t Christianize the Jews or Judaize the Gentiles. He didn’t create a half-breed. He made an entirely new man. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus …” (2:10). We are God’s masterwork, a new race, in Christ Jesus! This must not be watered down. This is the answer to alienation, to racism, to prejudice, to hatred, to estrangement.” 

Ephesians—The Mystery of the Body of Christ Reconciliation — "Brought Near" (vv. 13-18)

Jesus didn’t Christianize the Jews or Judaize the Gentiles. He didn’t create a half-breed. He made an entirely new man. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus …” (2:10). We are God’s masterwork, a new race, in Christ Jesus! This must not be watered down. This is the answer to alienation, to racism, to prejudice, to hatred, to estrangement.

d. This new man or being will be the bride of Christ. Akin to this near man is the theological framework of the “New Adam.”

e.  Paul teaches us that since we are descendants of the new Adam, Jesus Christ, the consequences under Adam are voided by Jesus Christ.

f.  Jesus Christ is the figurehead of this new humanity

VII. This Body’s Relationship with God (v.16-18)

Eph. 2:16-18

Ephesians 2:16–18 CSB

He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

A. Verse 16

a. In verse 16, we see how he accomplished this rite. What he does again is reconcile these two groups.

b. These two groups, which had hostilities toward each other, are now one. We are now one as God reconciled us through Jesus' taking of His wrath on the cross.

c. Paul’s use of “body” is used because Paul defines the Church as one organic structure. 

d. We see the accomplishment of forming this new body—the death of our Savior. Jesus is the source of this new body

B. Verse 17

a. In verse 17, we see how Christ proclaimed peace.

b. Paul refers to this message by echoing the traditional thought of Christ speaking about how the Spirit will inhabit the apostles and spread his peace.

c.  Paul is echoing the fact that Jesus' ministry wasn’t only for Jews but also Gentiles.

d. Christ is the central element of our peace. Christ was the peace branch for the ancient church for Jews and Gentiles.

e. Not only this, we have peace with the

f. God, that is not partial.

C. Verse 18

a. In the final verse, 18, Paul states one foundational truth of the Bible: We all have access to the Father.

b.  You see, because we have peace with God, we have access to him.

c. Access to the Father is no longer through the temple priesthood or based on being a Jew.

d. Gentiles and Jews alike now gain direct access to God through the work of Christ and by the indwelling Spirit, the very presence of God with his people. 

e. Hughes states,

1. “This peace and reconciliation is the peace of the Church, not the peace of the world. Peace between Jew and Gentile, the world’s races and ethnic groups, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, comes only in Christ. This means that the Church has an immense responsibility to be a pocket of reconciliation and shalom in an alienated world.”  

Ephesians—The Mystery of the Body of Christ Reconciliation — "Brought Near" (vv. 13-18)

This peace and reconciliation is the peace of the Church, not the peace of the world. Peace between Jew and Gentile, the world’s races and ethnic groups, rich and poor, educated and uneducated comes only in Christ. This means that the Church has an immense responsibility to be a pocket of reconciliation and shalom in an alienated world

VIII. Conclusion

A. First, since God brought us into communion with him, we should devote our lives to him.

a. Echoing 2:11-13, we see it was Christ that we were brought towards him.

b. Since we are in Christ, shouldn’t we give him our ultimate obedience? What is stopping you from being obedient to God?

B. Second, we should understand that we must support each other as one body.

a. This goes from the home to the church.

b. As Christians, we are responsible for supporting and encouraging one another.

c. In our day, this is vital because of the issues our current cultural climate is going through.

D. Finally, we must understand that we should not hate one another as one body.

a. I look back at 1 John 2:9-11 seriously, where it says that anyone who hates another brother or sister in Christ truly cannot be saved.

1 John 2:9–11 CSB

The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

b.  Since we are one body, we love one another.

a. Hating another faithful Christian or dividing a church isn’t one of the Fruits of the Spirit, nor is it spiritual discernment.

c. A divided church is a dying church.

d. For a Christian to hate another Christian is presumptuous and sacrilegious.

e.  Someone cannot hate another in the image of God. We are called to love each other and focus on the core of our body, Christ.