Ephesians 2:11-22

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.

Paul wrote multiple times about the tension between Gentiles and Jews. It’s a tension that has plagued the world throughout centuries of history. In the Old Testament, parts of the temple were closed to Gentiles. Major Jewish festivals were exclusive, Gentiles could only participate if they were owned by a Jew. The New Testament records instances of Gentiles being treated with hostility by Jews based on status and the physical condition that marked such chosenness. In different periods of history, Gentiles have been hostile to the Jewish population. It seems in the last 50 years, the hostility has been mutual.

Paul wrote about the oneness in Christ that all humans experience. However, this timeless truth is for those who are in Christ. Those without Christ are separated, aliens, strangers and without hope.

Three attributes of our oneness in Christ

Oneness in Christ transfers me from “separated” to “brought near”

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.”

In Ephesus, Gentiles experienced ethnic separation. They experienced religious separation. They experienced spiritual separation. The Jews had their own list of problems, many of them stemmed from religious arrogancy. They believed a medical procedure gave them a spiritual standing unavailable to others. However, verse 11 begins with THEREFORE ~ we have to go back to the previous verses. Ephesians 2:8–9 - “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

The Jewish community had fallen prey to the claim that a result of works had somehow changed their spiritual standing and they were boastful about it. Be mindful that our spiritual standing is not determined by outward conditions. Be mindful that outward conditions do not increase our holiness, they simply reveal fruit of an internal work of Christ that is shaping our life.

Jews and Gentiles alike lived separated from Christ. Even though the gift of redemption was first made available to the Jews, they missed it. Prior to Acts, few Gentiles were given the opportunity of redeeming grace.

Matthew 15:21–28 says, “And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”

Look at verse 12. They were separated from Christ. They were wanderers. Because they lacked citizenship inside God’s people, they were excluded from God’s promises. Those who are separated from Christ are capable of knowing God’s rules without any redeeming qualities cultivating their lives. Hope is not possible for the one who is separated from Christ.

In many situations, surrendering a heart issue to the Lord calibrates the hope issues in our life.

In verse 13, Paul tells his readers ~ Through Christ, our spiritual proximity changes. Without Christ, the distance of separation would never be solved. The blood of Jesus Christ prepared the way for our position in Christ to be changed and for us to experience a oneness in Christ that is unable to unbelievers.

Oneness in Christ is the pathway of reconciliation with others.

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.”

When I was a young youth pastor, a dad of a teenage boy was upset that I couldn’t establish a connection with his son. This kid was extremely quiet. He sat in Sunday school with his arms crossed. He never engaged with other kids at church. The father misunderstood that oneness in Christ is first a spiritual connection that leads to a relational connection, but not every relational connection receives best friend status.

Verses 16-17 clearly teaches that reconciliation to Christ is a prerequisite to being reconciled with people. At the cross, Jesus dismantled everything that separated Jews and Gentiles.

Certainly, reconciliation with a non-believer is more challenging because our foundational values should be different.

Here are three points of reconciliation we have with other believers.

Barriers of hostility have been removed. Verse 14 tells us the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ has broken down walls and abolished the rules that have divided Jews and Gentiles for centuries. This is an opportunity for a peaceful shift from two people groups to one human race. I believe God is continuously removing barriers of hostility while humans repeatedly build them.

We have a common purpose. Paul describes this purpose in verse 15 as one man being created in the place of two. Being reconciled with Christ changes how people identify with the Lord and relate to other believers.

We have biblical unity. Our oneness in Christ should lead to biblical unity with other believers.

We have the same Holy Spirit. Verse 18 tells us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit and being fed and led by the same Triune God.

Oneness in Christ grows me from “fellow citizens” to “built together.”

Ephesians 2:19–22 - “So 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.”

Our oneness in Christ has a clear progression. We wandered without a home, but now we are fellow citizens with all who have gone before us. We have the same citizenship as the apostles and prophets, the men whom God used to write our Bible. We were once without Christ, but he is now our cornerstone. We once lived hopeless with God, but now we are holy temples of the Lord. We were once excluded from God’s promises, but now we are his dwelling place.

We aren’t individual, isolated dwelling places. Our oneness in Christ grows us into one large dwelling place that is designed to have strong unity and deep community.

Application:

Lord Jesus,

In Christ’s name,

Amen

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Church, as you leave today, remember this ~ You are a seed that God has planted to advance the gospel. Go blossom where you have been planted.