The book of Ephesians is all about Christ’s church (hereafter referred to as the Church). Perhaps more specifically it’s all about human relationships as they should be in Christ. Of the various kinds Paul talks about, the Church is the most important relationship we can have with Christ, or one another for that matter.

Let’s explore the concept of the unity we can have in Christ as Paul depicts it in Ephesians. Here’s the full passage well look at, then we’ll break it down.

Now being in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, 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. 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. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 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. — Ephesians 2:13–22

As we read this passage the clear message is that we–the Church–belong to Christ. The Church is all about Him. In the verses, Paul refers to divisions that existed before Christ’s sacrifice, as well as the healing of those divisions that He brings about.

The passage refers to the fact that Jesus, the Christ, abolished the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, and at the same time, builds upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. He does all of this to create a temple, a dwelling place for God.

Before we move on, take a moment to let some of this sink in. It is an incredibly full passage, detailing the creation of The Church built upon Christ Jesus; His death, resurrection, and ascension into glory.

WE are an integral part of that!

Breaking It Down

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

First of all, none of what follows happens without a genuine, heaven-accredited relationship with Christ Jesus. It is our oneness in Christ that brings about our oneness with one another; nothing else. We cannot conjure it up, wish it were so, psychoanalyze our way around it, or manipulate circumstances to make it so.

Next, Paul is talking to non-Jews, Greeks in Ephesus. In a very real sense, he is also talking to you and me who don’t happen to be Jewish. Once, they(we) were “far off”; that is, they were separated from God’s holy law, given to Moses. They had no hope (“you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” –Ephesians 2:12).

It wasn’t that God thought the Jews better than the gentiles (non-Jews); in fact, God’s intent from the very beginning was for the Jews to carry His message to the entire world. As the Jews failed to follow through on their calling, Jesus–being Jewish–served to fulfill God’s intent.

Like the Jews, we–living in the present day–were also far off. We were separated from God by our sinful natures. We could not approach God on our own. Thanks be to God that we live in an age when Salvation (Yeshua) has come to all.

In Christ (that is, in a saving relationship with Jesus) we have been “brought near” to God “by the blood of Christ”. It is this amazing reuniting of humans with God, through Christ, that is the cornerstone and foundation for complete unity with one another.

[The next segment is one long sentence, so we’ll take each thought as it comes.]

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one…

The letter of Paul to the Philippians reminds us that we find lasting, unimaginable peace in Christ (Philippians 4:6). But, here we are told Christ is our peace.

It is our relationship with Christ, together as gentile believers in Christ, and Jews who have recognized Jesus as God’s Chosen One, that dissolves the spiritual distance between us and creates peace between us, making us “both one”. We are one people in Christ Jesus.

The Jews are God’s chosen people, called to bring His message of love and redemption to the world. But, the Church (all who trust in Christ Jesus) are the continuation of that calling through Jesus as our role model, guide, and teacher.

…and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances…

The law of Moses was meant to serve to instruct the Jews on living for God. The book of Galatians, chapter 3, speaks of the divine purpose of the Law. It had no ‘magical’ powers to redeem. Its purpose was solely to remind humans that they cannot live righteously under their own power.

However, over many, many centuries, the Law became a ‘sticking point’ for the Jewish nation. In many ways, the Law–designed to free humans of the incredibly impossible task of overcoming sin–became a dividing wall between ‘them’ and ‘us’.

Christ Jesus–both, fully God and fully human–fulfilled the entire Law, thus satisfying God’s demand for human perfection. In bringing salvation to the world and enabling humans to be redeemed through His sacrifice, Christ abolished the need for humans to fulfill the Law.

[Clarification: The Law is divided into several emphases: ordinances, worship system, priesthood, sacrifices, festivals, and offerings. I believe what Paul refers to as “law of commandments expressed in ordinances” is what many refer (rather simplistically) to the “do’s and don’ts” of the Law. In other words, Christ–having fulfilled the entire Law–abolished the necessity of trying to live righteously as imperfect beings.]

…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.

Christ did all of the above in order to make us ONE chosen people, instead of 2 distinct and separate entities. He is our union, the ‘superglue’ that holds us together–permanently. He accomplished this by reconciling both Jews and Gentiles with God…one “new man” in “one body” by His death on the cross.

Christ’s death on the cross satisfied the ultimate price for sin placed upon humanity by God’s holy court. He offered a clear path to salvation and redemption from sin and spiritual death. He delivered us from the burden of the Law, and broke down the wall between His Chosen People, and Gentiles.

“…killed the hostility…” can also be translated as “…put to death the enmity…”. The phrase refers to the fact (not just the concept, or idea) that in Christ’s sacrifice, the enmity, namely the division that existed between Jews and Gentiles, was crucified with Him. It no longer exists, except in the hearts and minds of unbelieving people.

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.

One of the things Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished was to bring peace to those “who were far off” (Gentiles) and “those who were near” (Jews). This peace comes in 2 levels, if you will:

1. peace with one another, which we spoke of above, and
2. peace, by way of reconciliation, with God

Because of Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father, but it is no longer divided by race. Access to God, the Father comes only through a perpetual relationship with the Christ. Apart from Him, there is no reconciliation, no peace, no hope.

Consequently

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 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.

• We are now one people, neither Jew, nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28).
• We are fellow citizens with heaven’s residents.
• We are joined as one for all eternity.
• We are being built into a temple–greater than Solomon’s!–wherein God, by virtue of His Holy Spirit dwells within us. And, all this is possible because Jesus, the Christ, is our cornerstone.

Jews and Saving Grace

The Bible clearly refers to the Jews as God’s Chosen People, and they are dear to His heart–despite their failings. However, every Jew must still acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah in order to be redeemed and members of the household of God.

For many modern believers (and the apostle, Paul, as well! — see Romans 10:1-3), the fact that many Jews still do not recognize that the Messiah has come drives us to pray for their salvation. They remain in darkness, blinded to the Truth of the gospel for our sake. (Romans 11:12) Let’s be diligent in praying for them!

Final Note

This passage reveals a tremendous truth which the modern Church can no longer overlook. We can no longer be separated by our petty jealousies and prejudices. We can no longer look down on other true believers because they are under a different denominational name. We can no longer think of ourselves, first and foremost, as coming from a particular race, creed, color, or nationality.

Caveat – Keep in mind that all of the above refers only to those who have come to truly, fully trust in Jesus as the Christ, the one and only Savior.

FURTHER READING…

The future of the Jews

Romans, chapters 9-12, speaks very poignantly about the nation of Israel and God’s plan for them.

Marks of the True Believer

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12:9-21