According to Eph 2:11-22, when Jesus Christ died on the cross, he made a way for Jews and Gentiles to become fellow citizens in the household of God.
How could Christ make Jews and Gentiles fellow citizens in the household of God? He made us fellow citizens:
By the blood of Christ – Eph 2:11-13 – in these verses, Paul addressed the saved Gentiles in Ephesus to explain how they went from being Gentiles without Christ to being “made nigh.”
In time past, these saved Gentiles were called the Uncircumcision and Jews were called the Circumcision, Eph 2:11.
Thus, Eph 2:12, Gentiles were without Christ because Jesus said, during his earthly ministry, “I am not sent but for the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” [Matt 15:24]. He told the woman at the well, “salvation is of the Jews,” [Jn 4:22]. Therefore, before they were saved, Gentiles were:
- Aliens from the commonwealth (nation) of Israel. Israel excluded Gentiles unless they became Jews, as in Gen 17:12-13 and Esther 8:17.
- Strangers from the covenants. The covenants are all between God and Israelites [Rom 9:4].
- Without hope. The hope is the resurrection of Israel [Ezek 37:1-14; Acts 23:6; 26:6-8].
- Without God. See 2 Sam 7:23. Israel has God and the other nations have gods.
But when Gentiles are “in Christ Jesus,” we are made nigh by the blood of Christ, Eph 2:13. We get in on something we couldn’t have had before because we were sometimes (formerly) far off.
By the cross of Calvary – Eph 2:14-17 – Jews and Gentiles are made one body by the cross. One man died for us and when we are saved we become members of the body of that one man, Jesus, whether we are Jews or Gentiles [1 Cor 12:12; Gal 3:28].
For both Jews and Gentiles, Jesus is our peace, Eph 2:14. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ [Rom 5:1]. Therefore, we are both one; the middle wall of partition is broken down. We are no longer a Jew or a Gentile. We are the church of God [1 Cor 10:32].
For both Jews and Gentiles, Jesus abolished the enmity, Eph 2:15. The law was contrary to all of us and against us (the enmity) [Col 2:14]. We were all enemies of God [Rom 5:10]. When Jesus died on the cross, he abolished (annulled, made void) the enmity [Rom 8:3-4]. Thus, Jesus makes of twain (Jews and Gentiles) one new man.
For both Jews and Gentiles, Jesus makes reconciliation, Eph 2:16. See Col 1:20-22. We are both reconciled to God and therefore we have peace whether we were far off or nigh, Eph 2:17.
By the Spirit of God – Eph 2:18-22 – when we were saved, we were baptized by the Spirit into the one body of Christ [1 Cor 12:13-27]. Therefore, through the Spirit we all have access to the Father [Rom 8:15, Abba (Jews) Father (Gentiles)], Eph 2:18.
We are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens of the household of God, Eph 2:19.
The household has a foundation, Eph 2:20. The foundation of the house is the apostles and prophets [Eph 3:5; Acts 8:1, 11:27] and Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone [1 Pet 2:6].
The household is fitly framed together, Eph 2:21. The Holy Spirit makes sure that each members is where it belongs [1 Cor 12:18]. The household groweth, as a living organism, and increases as more people [1 Pet 2:5] are added to the building by the Spirit.
The household is builded together as a habitation of God, Eph 2:22. We are the temple of God [1 Cor 3:16], his holy temple [Eph 2:21].