Introduction

Ephesians 2:11–22 reveals how Christ reconciles all people—Jews and non-Jews—into one united family of God. Paul emphasizes the work of Christ in breaking down barriers and granting access to God for all who believe. This passage highlights themes of unity, peace, and the transformative work of grace in creating one new humanity in Christ.

Key Ideas

• Main Point: God’s restoration plan is to save both Jews and Gentiles, removing all divisions through the cross.
• Purpose: Remember that we are included with Jews as one church that hosts God’s presence.

Ephesians 2:11

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…

The Ephesians, as non-Jews (i.e. Gentiles) by descent, were disparaged by some Jews as “the uncircumcision” due to their lack of knowledge of the law of Moses. This made them appear less faithful in their devotion to God. However, salvation comes by grace through faith, not by adherence to the law. Therefore, press on in following Jesus by grace, abiding in Him, even if others—even “older” Christians—suggest that you need to do more to be right with or favored by God.

Ephesians 2:11–12a

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…

The law of Moses, while not a means of salvation, revealed God’s ideals and was more accessible to mostly only Jews for a long time. As a result, non-Jews were separated from the hope of a promised savior king who could rescue them from self-worship and rebellion against God. Without God’s grace, we would remain hopelessly rebellious. Knowing Christ Jesus as our Savior King is nothing short of an incredible miracle performed by God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:12b

…alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise…

God made many promises to the Jewish people, including the hope of a savior king and blessings tied to covenant obedience. When they failed to uphold these covenants, God sent Jesus to fulfill them. Through Jesus, God extends His blessings to all His people—Jews who believe the message they have received for millennia and non-Jews who trust in Jesus as their Savior King. In Christ, non-Jews can share fully in the blessings enjoyed by believing Jews.

Ephesians 2:12c

…having no hope and without God in the world…

While the Jewish people failed to uphold the covenants, they still held onto the hope of a promised savior king. Non-Jews, however, had no knowledge of this hope and were left to worship idols, rebel against God, and face eternal separation from Him. Reflect on the time when we had no hope and no God, and recognize our desperate need for Him to save us from our slavery to rebellion.

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

In Christ Jesus, we have been brought near to God, welcomed into His family, and made partakers of the abundant blessings He has for His children. As adopted sons and daughters, we can now call God our Father. By the Spirit of adoption, we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15). Through Jesus, we have access by faith into His grace, standing firm and rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:2).

Ephesians 2:14

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…

Jesus is our peace, breaking down the walls of hostility—between God and man caused by sin, and between Jews and non-Jews caused by spiritual arrogance. Through Him, we have peace with God (Rom 5:1). Therefore, we are called to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave us (Eph 4:32).

Ephesians 2:15a

…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances

The problem was never God’s law but its misuse through human traditions that created an arbitrary spiritual caste system, dividing “better” Christians from “worse” ones. Jesus’ finished work abolished such divisions, showing that closeness to God is not earned but given by grace. Because salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus, we don’t need to fear others’ demands to “do more” to be close to God. Instead, we walk with Him daily, relying on the Spirit to deepen our relationship with Jesus.

Ephesians 2:15b–16

…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.

Jesus abolished arbitrary traditions that misused God’s law, creating one unified humanity in Himself. He reconciled both Jews and non-Jews to God, eliminating all opposition between God and man, and between Jew and non-Jew. Because of this, we can reconcile with God and with one another. In Christ, we are united and should embrace and respect our differences instead of being divided by them.

Ephesians 2:17–18

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.

Jesus proclaimed the good news of His coming to both Jews and non-Jews. While His earthly ministry focused primarily on a Jewish audience (Mt 15:24), the apostles carried His message across the Roman Empire, reaching non-Jews as well (Acts 1:8). Now, through the spread of this good news, both Jews and non-Jews are united by one Holy Spirit and have access to God. The Holy Spirit unites us as one people in Christ, bringing us to God our Father.

Ephesians 2:19

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…

Through Christ, non-Jews are no longer foreigners but are citizens of God’s kingdom family, united with Jews as one people for all who recognize Jesus as their promised Savior King. In God’s family, there are no second-class citizens. We all stand equally before Him, as His people, through faith in His gracious forgiveness accomplished by Jesus’ finished work on the cross.

Ephesians 2:20

…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…

God chose to build His house not by an instant act but through Christ Jesus as the cornerstone, followed by the apostles and prophets, whom He inspired to share His Word. Our Christian lives are not meant to be lived in isolation from God’s people, the Church. We owe our salvation to God working through generations of faithful believers—pioneers of faith, evangelists, missionaries, shepherd-teachers, and even parents and friends who introduced us to Christ. God used them all to graciously lead us to know Him personally.

Ephesians 2:21–22

…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.

The temple is traditionally seen as a structure housing the presence of a deity. God, however, brought us into His house to dwell with Him, so that we, in turn, become His house, welcoming Him to dwell within us. Together with all the saints saved by grace through faith in Jesus, we are being built into God’s dwelling place. Through the Holy Spirit in each of us and among us, we are united as His one Church, with God living both with us and in us.

Conclusion

Ephesians 2:11–22 shows how Christ reconciles humanity with God and unites Jews and Gentiles into one family. Through His grace, barriers are broken, hostility is removed, and believers are joined together as God’s household. This passage calls us to live in unity, peace, and gratitude as members of God’s family.

Summary

• Christ reconciled all people to God and one another through His sacrifice (2:11–16).
• Believers have equal access to God through the Spirit (2:17–18).
• In Christ, all believers are equal members of God’s household (2:19).
• God is building His Church where He dwells, with Christ as her cornerstone (2:20–22).