Ephesians 2:14-22

14: For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15: 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,
16: and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
17: AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR;
18: for through Him we both have our 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 are of God’s household,
20: having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
21: in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
22: in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

*** 

Paul continued the thought that the Gentiles (non-Jews) who were formerly excluded from even the hope of salvation, had now been brought near by the blood of Christ. He was encouraging the Gentile Ephesians, explaining that Jesus made both groups—Jew and Gentile—into one by breaking down the dividing wall—the thing that separated the two groups—which was the Law.

Jesus, by His fleshly death on the cross, put to death that which was separating Jew and Gentile, and made one new man, one new group, establishing peace between the two. Paul quoted from Isaiah 17:19 where the Lord said, "Peace to those who were far away and peace to those who were near." Both Jew and Gentile now have access in one Spirit to the Father. To the extent that both groups realize this, we will have peace between us.

Paul wanted to be sure the non-Jewish believers understood they were not second-class Christians. They were no longer strangers or aliens to God’s household, but fellow citizens of God’s own household. Under the old covenant God lived in the arc of the covenant, kept behind the veil, but now, He lives in His people—believers in Christ. This new household of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone.

The new dwelling place of God in the earth is the believers in Christ. This is why the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51), God no longer confined Himself to that place, He moved out to dwell within the new creatures in Christ. All of whom make up the building which fits together and is growing into a holy temple in the Lord. We house the very presence of God through the Spirit!

Paul included these Gentiles specifically, saying they too were a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. What a change from the man—a pharisee—who used to arrest and consent to killing Christians. An awesome example of the transforming power of the blood of Jesus on the human heart.


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