Ephesians 2:12-22

Eph 2:12 (KJV)

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

 

On the surface this verse is speaking of the history of Israel which were privy to the teachings and covenants of God in contrast to the surrounding heathen nations which did not have the law of God nor any of the commandments. Romans 3:1-2

 

In fact the surrounding nations were under the wrath of God because of their false gods and their treatment of Israel. This typified the same situation the church faces today. Luke 21:20-22

 

At first glance it looks like the Gentiles could not have salvation because they were not tied to the physical nation of Israel but when we investigate the verse a little further we see that this is speaking of spiritual Israel. Christ was rejected by national Israel but He is King of the Jews. What Jews? Spiritual Jews as we see in the following verses:

 

Deuteronomy 30:6

Isaiah 45:17 (Eph 3:21)

John 8:38-40

Romans 2:28-29

Romans 9:6

Galatians 3:7

Galatians 3:16

Galatians 6:16

Philippians 3:3

Revelation 2:9

Revelation 3:9

 

The covenants were the eternal covenant that God made with Abraham which applied only to the true Israel, namely the elect. National Israel broke the covenant of Exodus 19:7-8 continually which caused God to send them into the hands of their enemy. This is why God refers to the eternal covenants as covenants of promise. Now some say that God still owes National Israel a homeland and that promise will be fulfilled at a later date. Let us see if that theory holds any truth:

 

The Promise of the Land Fulfilled

Joshua 21:43-45

Joshua 23:1-5

1 Kings 8:56

Nehemiah 9:7-8, 23

 

Promises of Israel’s Dispossession for disobedience

Deuteronomy 28:63

Deuteronomy 30:18

Ezekiel 33:25-29

 

Every unbeliever is without God in the world and has no hope. In other words, what this phrase is saying is that those Gentiles did not have a savior. (Isaiah 43:11; Hosea 13:4) Salvation in the OT is the same way as in the NT.

 

 

Eph 2:13 (KJV)

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 

Now the emphasis shifts to the Gentiles that now those who were saved were no longer strangers from the Covenants of promise, in fact, they were now beneficiaries. They received the same salvation as those Jews who became saved. The Blood of Christ is the only way a person can become saved at any time in history.

 

Far off - Distant - It shows a separation between God and man

Nigh - Near - Those that were separated from Christ are brought near

 

Those who worshipped idols and involved in false religions were now brought to the truth. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Here in Ephesus was one of the largest idolatrous cults in the ancient world which was Diana or Artemis. Because of the blood of Christ those elect were now brought to the true God.

 

 

Eph 2:14 (KJV)

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

 

Christ is the one who gave us peace between God and the elect. Jesus brought both Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians together as one because each group stands on exactly the same footing. There is no such thing as one group being in better standing with God. The middle wall of partition types the veil of the temple being torn in two. (Luke 23:45) This means there is no longer a veil of secrecy privy to only to the Jews but now the way to God has been paved through the Lord Jesus Christ for all the elect who would be chosen down through the ages until the last day. Once the veil was rent in two, it meant God no longer dwelled in the Temple but He now dwells within His people, the redeemed Elect. The age of the temple was now over and this was why Christ sent Titus in 70 AD to destroy the city as the physical temple was no longer the place where God placed His Name. Daniel 9:26

 

 

Eph 2:15 (KJV)

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 

Matthew 5:25-26 - John 5:45 - The Law is the accuser >>>Romans 8:33 >>Do you realize because of the complete atonement of Christ not even God can level any charge against you? Why? Because He himself has blotted out all your sins! - Isaiah 43:25

 

Colossians 2:13-14 - Completely abolished all the judicial decrees against us.

 

This resulted in making the body of believers one cohesive whole and culture or nationality does not have any place in the body as all are on the same footing. In the early church the cross gave a mending between the Jewish and non-Jewish believers. Those Jewish believers were coming out of 1500 years of tradition and grace was something new to them. The Gentiles were becoming saved without having to keep any ceremonies of the law and this was the big rift in the early church. This was why Paul penned the Book of Galatians which delved into the controversy of whether one must keep the law plus grace to become saved.

 

If you notice in the verse that one new man was made “in Christ” without any keeping of any law since Christ, in his sacrifice, completely fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law. The cross made the way of peace between the two groups.

 

 

Eph 2:16 (KJV)

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

The enmity between groups does not exist because it was killed. The only reason it still exists is because it is resurrected by either group. This is what was happening in the early church and continues down to today as there are plethora of ethnic and cultural churches. Unfortunately, in many ethnic churches, culture is raised to the same level as Christ.

 

The reconciliation comes not only between both groups but also both groups as one unto the Lord. Since man was the one who departed from God by sinning, it is God who is reconciling a remnant of the human race known as Christians unto Himself.

 

 

Eph 2:17 (KJV)

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

 

Preached - Euangellion (Evangelized) = announced the good news

Those who were far off were the gentiles who were involved in all kinds of idol worship and religious debauchery.

 

Those who were nigh were the Jews whom the Scriptures were first given to: Matthew 15:8; Mark 12:28-34; Romans 3:1-2 >>>>John 5:37-39

 

But notice it was both groups that needed to hear the gospel. It is the same in contemporary times. Those who are involved in religion and dead churches must hear the gospel as well as those who are involved in cults and world religions.

 

 

Eph 2:18 (KJV)

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

 

Through the Lord Jesus Christ, all his elect have access to the Father. - Romans 5:1-2; Eph. 3:11-12. In the Greek it states that we actually have “The” Access which means that the only way to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. You can’t come to God the Father through any other way, religion included.

 

 

Eph 2:19 (KJV)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

Strangers - Xenoi - we get word xenophobic “fear of strangers”

Foreigners - Sojourners - Hebrews 13:11; 1 Peter 2:11 - Exodus 6:3-4 foreshadow

Fellowcitizens - Revelation 3:12

Household of God - Galatians 6:10

Now because of the sacrifice of Christ, all those who are elect to salvation will become members of the local community of Saints as well as the world wide household of God.

 

 

Eph 2:20 (KJV)

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 

Foundation of the Apostles and prophets:

1. is the word of God itself because this is where all the teachings of these men are found

2. It is also the salvation succession which went down from the time of the first Pentecost to today. It is faithful men preaching the gospel to faithful men and committing it to faithful men down through the ages - 2 Tim. 2:2

 

This verse speaks of building the spiritual temple of the church as Christ is the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42) The cornerstone is the stone which brings stability to the entire building but the Lord Jesus Christ brings a total foundation and under girding to the temple of the household of God.

 

 

Eph 2:21 (KJV)

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

 

Fitly Framed Together - “being fitted together” which means the work is progressive and will continue until the last stone is put in place - As a building is completed, so will the body of Christ be someday.

 

Groweth - Increases

 

Holy Temple - Matthew 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Peter 1:5

 

When one reads Ezekiel 40-48, it looks like a physical temple is in view but God is typing the building up of the church.

 

 

Eph 2:22 (KJV)

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

Builded Together - “being built together” - a continuing building till the last one is saved

Habitation of God - 1 Kings 9:3; 1 Kings 11:36; 2 Kings 21:1-7; 2 Chron. 6:5-6;

2 Chronicles 7:14-16; 2 Chronicles 33:4-7; Nehemiah 1:8-9

 

Notice that the habitation of God is not a physical building but it is a spiritual building discounting the idea of a millennium temple.

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