Ephesians 2:11-22 The Unity of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
Chapter 1:
Chapter 1:
Choosing: The Plan of the Father Ephesians 1:4-6 The Eternal Plan
Redeeming: The Work of the Son Ephesians 1:7-10 The Present Grace
Blessing: Ephesians 1:11-12 The Future Hope
Sealing: Ephesians 1:13-14 The Current Proof
Note the attitude behind all that God has done for us!
-Chosen “in love”
-Adopted into His family according to the “kind intention of his will
-Grace Lavished on us Abundently
Paul’s expressed his desire, that his prayer to God for them, was that God would give them a deeper knowledge of Himself so that they would have a greater appreciation of their Salvation, that they would understand the hope of God’s calling them, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and the surpassing greatness of His power toward them as believers.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
He began chapter 2 by pointing to the Work of God the Father in Salvation. They, Jew and Gentile alike, were dead in their sins and God made them alive together with Christ. They were not only resurrected but also exalted. God made them His workmanship, created them in Christ Jesus for Good works. The purpose was still the same, they were to bring glory to God as He displayed His Grace in kindness towards them in Christ Jesus.
Unity of Salvation
Same Need of Salvation - dead in trespasses and sins
Same Way of Salvation - made alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
Same Goal of Salvation - put the grace of God on display; created for good works, which God prepared beforehand
Introduction
Introduction
As Paul continues in chapter 2, He once again points the Ephesians back to what they once were and contrasts that with what they are. The Emphasis shifts from the work of the Father to the Work of the Son. Paul moves from what God did Spiritually to what Christ did physically to obtain the spiritual blessings for His people.
The Work of Christ, as we will see not only brought about a reconciliation with God but also a reconciliation between bitter enemies, Jews and Gentiles. And it is this unity, this reconciliation between Jew and Gentile that Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 2:11-22.
We will cover the text under three points this morning. The Past Separation vs 11-12, the Reconciliation in Christ vs 13-18 and finally the Holy Temple: The Church in verses 19-22. Stand with me as I read our text.
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded 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 formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
The Past Separation vs 11-12
The Past Separation vs 11-12
Paul called them to remember who they once were. For although Jew and Gentile alike were in need of the Grace of God, the Gentiles were in a much worse situation before their salvation.
Who they were:
Who they were:
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
Uncircumcision: Physically they were Gentiles and and that is why they were called Uncircumcision by the “so-called Circumcision”. Circumcision was the symbol, the mark that distinguished the Jews from all other peoples.
And here in our text Paul is reminding the Ephesians of the separation and hostility between them. The Jews called the Gentiles “uncircumcision” as a term of contempt and hatred. But Paul is not condoning this name calling. When Paul calls the Jews, the so-called circumcision”, he is making it clear that those who treated the Gentiles with such contempt were not the true Israel of God. They were not the true circumcision, their circumcision was merely physical and external, it was “performed in the flesh by human hands”. The Jews had taken the sign and made it into the means. That is in stark contrast to the truth that Paul proclaimed in verses 1-10 that Salvation was by the Grace of God and not by the works of man.
What it Meant:
What it Meant:
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Circumcision was the sign of the covenant with God. The Jews were the chosen nation of God.
Gentiles were at a great disadvantage. Because the Jews as a nation were the chosen people of God on the earth, God had revealed Himself to them in a unique way.
Gentiles were:
Separate from Christ. Paul is referring not to Jesus in particular but to the coming Messiah in general. The Old Testament Scriptures that belonged to the nation of Israel predicted the coming Messiah. The Gentiles, however knew nothing of a coming Messiah and therefore were not looking for One.
Excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. Because they were not part of the nation of Israel they did not enjoy the physical blessings of God that the Jews enjoyed as His covenant people.
Strangers to the covenants of promise. A covenant is an agreement by two parties, a contract that is binding on both. Here Paul is pointing to the Covenant made with Abraham that was reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob, the covenant that promised the blessing of the Messiah to come. The covenant promised that the blessings would flow out from Israel, but the promise of those blessings was given to Israel. So before those blessings were poured out, the Gentiles were strangers to those promises.
Without Hope and without God in the World. No matter what they may have hoped would come after death, they had no true hope. What a terrible and desperate condition. They had false gods who were no gods at all. They had no expectation of a coming Savior. They were in the world and had no hope for the future.
The Reconciliation in Christ vs 13-18
The Reconciliation in Christ vs 13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Reconciliation with the Jews
Reconciliation with the Jews
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Brought Near: In Christ Jesus they were brought near. Paul spoke of the Messiah in general before, but now he adds the personal name of the one who was indeed the Messiah, Jesus. Now that they have been introduced to Jesus they have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ. Idea of covenant linking back to circumcision in verse 11.
How? By the Blood of Christ
Leviticus 17:11 ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’ The Blood of Christ represents His Life and it was the life of the Messiah that was poured out for them that brought them near, that made atonement for them, that paid for their sins.
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
What Jesus Did:
What Jesus Did:
Brought Peace: Jesus Himself was the peace between Jew and Gentile. He was not just a peacemaker, He was their peace, who made both groups into one
How He did it:
How He did it:
Jesus eliminated that which divided the Jew and Gentile,
Abolishing the Enmity:
He removed the hostility, the enmity between them. The Hostility that divided them was replaced by the Savior who united them.
Abolished the Law of the Commandments:
Paul further describes what it was that Jesus did to eliminate this hostility. In his flesh, that is in his perfect life and then death on the cross, He abolished the “Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances.”
Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law of God in His life and in His death. He was the perfect and final sacrifice that paid the debt for sin that neither Jew nor Gentile could pay. When He died on the cross, Jesus satisfied the requirements of the law. The mutual hatred of Jew and Gentile was changed to a mutual union in Jesus Christ.
One New Man: Jesus reconciled Jew and Gentile to one another. They were made into “one new man”. It is not that Gentiles became Jews or that Jews became gentiles. No, they both became something new, Christians. The old distinctions were gone.
Reconcilliation with God
Reconcilliation with God
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Hostility with God: The hostility was not just between Jew and Gentile. There was a justified Hostility of God toward them for their sin.
Reconciled through the Cross: But the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, brought reconciliation between God and Man. God was reconciled to man because the just requirement of the law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They had been separated but now they were reconciled, which means they were brought together, that which separated them was eliminated.
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
Quote from Isaiah 57:19
The Jews were said to be “near” to God because they had the covenants, the Scriptures and the Temple Worship
Gentiles were far from God because they had no such things.
Peace Preached to Both: Universal Need of Salvation -Jew and Gentile: They were both dead in their trespasses and sins. There was unity between Jew and Gentile because the peace was preached to them both. The word for preached here comes from the word from which we get the English word Evangelism. Jesus evangelized both groups through the proclamation of the Gospel by the Apostles.
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Access to God: Because of Christ’s Sacrifice both Jew and Gentile have “access in one Spirit to the Father.” They have been brought into the very presence of God, introduced to Him. They could now approach the Father because there was no longer hostility. Jesus was their peace. They had access to the Father, in the name of the Son through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Temple: The Church in verses 19-22
The Holy Temple: The Church in verses 19-22
Implications of Unity
As we continue in the text we see that Paul was not content with the Ephesians simply knowing that there was unity between Jew and Gentile in the Church. Paul further describes that unity through various metaphors to give them a deeper understanding of the intimacy of their unity. Paul continues to contrast what they once were with what they now are and then ends chapter 2 with the great Metaphor of the Temple of God: The Church.
Metaphors of Unity
Continued Contrast - Past and Present
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Past: Strangers and Aliens
Present:
Fellow Citizens with the Saints - The Gentiles who once were separated from the Chosen People of God are now fellow citizens with the saints. However, they have not become Jews, but rather the true people of God. All believers, Jew or Gentile, are fellow citizens of the same Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.
God’s Household - They had been brought into the family of God. Jew and Gentile believers are both able to call God their Father. They are not only members of the same Kingdom but of the same Family!
Building Metaphor
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Foundation: Apostles and the Prophets
The basis of their unity as the Church was the doctrines taught by the Apostles and the Prophets.
There is disagreement as to whether the Prophets mentioned here are Old Testament Prophets or New Testament Prophets. And it seems that the reference here is to the New Testament Prophets. There are many reasons for this, such as the order of the words, Apostles before prophets. Also, in Ephesians 3 Paul will speak of the mystery that had now been revealed to the apostles and prophets. Paul could not have meant the Old Testament prophets in that text. And since the point of the section is that Jew and Gentile are one in Christ it would seem strange for Paul to point back to the Jewish Prophets at this point.
And it seems that some, out of fear of neglect of the Old Testament hold that these were Old Testament prophets. But that is an unnecessary concern. For even if the Old Testament Prophets are not being spoken of by Paul here, that does not mean that he is speaking against them. And besides, if the Old Testament was not important then the it would not be quoted and interpreted as often as it is in the New Testament.
There are also those who take issue with the fact that Paul calls the Apostles and Prophets, not Christ, the foundation of the church. But it is not that Paul does not believe that Jesus is the ultimate foundation of the Church, he most certainly does and uses that metaphor elsewhere.
Corner Stone: Christ Jesus
In ancient buildings was the stone that gave the building it’s direction and stability. It is the stone that was carefully laid at the corner so that as the walls were built out and upon it, they would be straight and true. Take out the corner stone and all would fall.
And the reason that Paul calls Jesus here the Corner stone and not the foundation is because he is making the point that in Jesus Christ they are united. Calvin says, “He means that Jews and Gentiles were two separate walls, but are formed into one spiritual building. Christ is placed in the middle of the corner for the purpose of uniting both, and this is the force of the metaphor.”
Carefully Built: Placement of Each Believer
in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
Paul then told the Ephesians that the whole building was being fitted together. Each believer was carefully placed in the church. And as each believer is brought into the church, the church is growing into the holy temple in the Lord. There is an intimate connection between individual believers, a connection that is based upon the teachings of the Apostles and the Prophets as guided and directed by Jesus Christ Himself.
A New Holy Temple:
in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul explains further explains the holy Temple in verse 22 with a parallel statement and in the process reminds the Ephesians that they too are part of this temple. He says that the Ephesians were also being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul has made it clear in this text the Jew and Gentile are one in Christ. And because of what they once were, the Gentiles had an even greater reason to rejoice in their salvation. But Jew and Gentile alike had been removed from their nations and had been made members of the Kingdom of God. God would no longer dwell in the Temple in Jerusalem, a temple made with human hands, but now He would dwell in the Temple made by the power of the Spirit through the work of Jesus Christ by the decree of God the Father Himself. He would dwell in the Spiritual Temple, His Church.
Application
Application
United In Jesus Christ:
And as we consider this text, it is clear that we, as believers, are to be united in Jesus Christ. Though we come from very different backgrounds, we all were without Christ, without Hope and without God in the World. We have come together because of the Grace of God shown to us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. So no matter our backgrounds, our personality, or likes or dislikes, we have one common bond and that is Jesus Christ! He is our peace between one another.
Diversity of Unbelievers - Churched (Jews) and Unchurched (Gentiles)
And certainly there is direct application for unity between Jewish believers and all other believers in the church. However, it seems that there is a parallel to this today to which we should make application of this text.
The difference between Jew and Gentile centered on their religion. A similar difference exists today.
Religious Unbelievers vs Unbelievers without Religion: There are unbelievers who, like the Jews, are very religious and there are other unbelievers, who, like the Gentiles, are without Christ, without hope and without God in the world.
Diversity of Believers - Churched (Jews) and Unchurched (Gentiles)
And too often because of the difference in upbringing we allow there to be disunity in the church.
Churched: Those who have been brought up in the church, have a greater knowledge of the Scriptures and they have certain traditions that they hold dear. And although they were brought up in the church, they needed the Grace of God just as much as any other unbeliever.
Non Religious Converts: On the other hand, there are those who come to Jesus Christ, having seldom, if ever been in a church. This is a growing reality in our day. They have a limited understanding of the Scriptures and virtually no understanding of church traditions. This, of course, can cause tension and disunity in the church.
Disunity created by Churched (Jews):
Like the Judiazers of Paul’s day, the “churched” people try to put demands on the “unchurched” that have more to do with traditions than with truth. They may even look at the “unchurched” as inferior christians and so exalt themselves.
Disunity created by the Unchurched (gentile) believers:
And just as the Gentiles hated the Jews, the “unchurched” have a tendency to hate the “churched”. We see this many times in the “Jesus is my Savior not my Religion” kind of statements. Or it may come out in our arrogant attitude that leads to rejection of certain “traditions” as if those traditions are somehow evil. The effect of course is that the “unchurched” may look at those who were “churched” with disdain.
Unity in Christ!
But that should not be. Whether someone was religious or irreligious, moral or immoral, if they have been saved by God’s grace they are members of the one true church, reconciled to God and to all other believers. Jesus is the Cornerstone that unites each and every believer in the Church, which is the Dwelling of God in the Spirit.
And as the Church we are to be diligent to work towards a true unity of the faith. We are to be unified in our doctrine and hold only to that which is taught in the Scriptures. At the same time we have to allow for sanctification and growth in understanding of those doctrines! For the Apostles and the Prophets are the foundation of the church; not the philosophies, traditions or preferences of man.
Are you Creating Unity? The Church universal and therefore the Local Church is the dwelling place of God and therefore it is the place from which the Grace of God will flow and therefore it is the place where there MUST be TRUE UNITY. So ask yourself, what are you doing to the unity of this church? Are you creating it through your humble service of Him, through your “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you...” as Paul says in Colossians 3:13.
Are you Creating Disunity? Or are you destroying it by your focus on yourself? Do you truly love the brethren or do you just put on a show while you are here and then complain to others when someone has offended you? Have you allowed a root of bitterness to grow between you and another in this church? If you have, I call you this morning to repent of that sin and turn your thoughts away from yourself and truly seek the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
May we be a Church that is truly united in love for one another as we remember what we once were and how we have become what we are now.