Ephesians 2:11-22 Our Unity in the Body of Christ

Verses 11-12 – Alienation before the Cross

Therefore – Based on your position in Christ and your salvation by grace, remember your former condition.

Gentiles – The Greek word is ethnos and means “nations and peoples.” To the Jew, anyone who did not have the covenant sign of circumcision was a Gentile.

So called Circumcision – “So called” because they were relying on an outward, covenant of the flesh to grant them acceptance with God.

Remember:

1 – You were separate from Christ

2 – You were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel

3 – You were strangers to the covenants of promise

4 – You had no hope

5 – You were without God in the world

Their former condition – alienated from God!

Verses 13-18 Reconciliation by the Cross

But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been brought near – Gentiles who were formerly excluded (far off) are now included (brought near) in the blessings of God that formerly only the Jews enjoyed.

By the blood of Christ – It is the shed blood of Christ for the redemption of the world that makes this reconciliation possible.

Verses 14-15

For He Himself is our peace – Romans 5:1, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Colossians 1:19-20, “It was the Father’s good pleasure…through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross…”

*For He Himself is our peace *–

1 – Who made both groups into one

2 – Who broke down the barrier of the diving wall

3 – Who abolished the enmity caused by the Law

4 – Who makes the two into one new man

Verses 16-18

And might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. Notice that the Gentiles do not become Israel but that both Israel and Gentiles are reconciled. They remain distinct but become one in the body of Christ.

Isaiah 57:19, “Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near, says the Lord…”

For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father – The Greek word for “access” is used only three times in the New Testament, here and in Ephesians 3:12 and in Romans 5:2. As believers we have access to God the Father through the Holy Spirit because of Christ’s death on the cross!

Verses 19-22 Unification after the cross

Notice the transitions:

Verse 11 – Therefore… Alienation before the cross

Verse 13 – But now… Reconciliation buy the cross

Verse 19 – So then… Unification after the cross

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 upon the foundation of…

The apostles – They are given the authority (1 John 1:1-3)

The prophets – New Testament prophets (Eph. 4:11)

Christ Jesus – the Corner Stone - Luke 20:17 – Jesus quoting Psalm 118:22, Acts 4:11 – Peter quoting Psalm 118:22, Romans 9:33 – Paul quoting Isaiah 28:16, 1 Peter 2:6-8 – Peter quoting Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14, 28:16

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

Being fitted together – Only here and in 4:16. “To join closely together as in parts of a building.” Emphasizing the building as being in process. Each part accomplishing the purpose for which it was designed.

Being built together – Only here. “To build together with.” Emphasizing the individual parts, or individual believers.

Every church is part of a great spiritual building and every believer is a stone built into the church.