Ephesians Lesson 4
June 18 and 25, 2025
The Progress of the Church (Ephesians 2:11–22)
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 12 remember that 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 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 15 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, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have 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 members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)
Ephesians 2:11
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
“Wherefore” points us back to the constant truths just stated in verses 8, 9, and 10.
Our lesson tonight has a very strange beginning. First, Paul points us back to the previous verses, and then he tells us to remember when we were not Christians.
Here again, Paul reminds us of our previous condition. He points out that we were Gentiles and therefore were considered by those of the Jewish faith to be uncircumcised or unclean. Now that Christ has come, this distinction is of no benefit, seeing that it is merely a work in the flesh done by hand.
Before Christ, this separated the Jews from all other nations and religions. We were unregenerate in their eyes. The Jews used this mark to claim radical exclusiveness and exclusion, even though the distinction was quite superficial.
Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
We had no part in the Jewish religion and, being excluded from these covenants, were lost. Being Christ-less, we were:
- Without rest (Matthew 11:28)
- Without life (John 14:6)
- Without light (John 8:12)
- Without salvation (Acts 4:12)
- Without peace (Colossians 1:20)
Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel – we were friendless and separated from Israel and the theocracy of God’s chosen people.
Strangers from the covenants of promise – we had no share in God’s messianic promises.
Note: This was also our condition before we accepted God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Having no hope – we, along with the present world, had no hope. We were just wasting time until the end of our existence and didn’t even know it. Now that we are in Christ, we are full of hope and living in a world without hope and without God.
Note: God’s Word is full of promises, but Christ-less souls see no value in them. We were atheists, in the sense of being without God and in hostility to Him.
It is good to remember who we were. Let’s take a moment to do just that. Who was I? We often make jokes about it now, but we were all the things Paul is saying. Anyone want to go first and tell us who you were?
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This is my favorite statement in the Bible: “But God!” God comes on the scene, and things are never the same. By grace you are saved.
If we allow ourselves to dwell on this, we will begin to worship. But God. What a change comes over us.
All of those things that Paul said we were are no longer true:
- No longer godless
- No longer aliens from God
- No longer without hope
- No longer separated from God
- No longer far off
And what did we do? Nothing. But God. Being in Christ, we are made near—again, not by our work, but by the blood of Jesus.
- What the Blood of Christ Has Done:
- Redeemed us (Ephesians 1:7)
- Justified us (Romans 5:9)
- Purged our conscience (Hebrews 9:14)
- Forgiven us (Colossians 1:14)
- Cleansed us (Revelation 7:14)
- Gave us peace (Colossians 1:20)
- Granted access to the holiest place (Hebrews 10:19)
Ephesians 2:14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Christ is our peace—with God and with each other. Jews and Gentiles are united in position and privilege.
Note: Jesus is our peace. Not just what He has done, but Christ Himself (Hebrews 12:2).
Here we see God’s plan: to have one church, one body of believers.
Earlier Paul talked about the Jews, and now there are no more separations in Christ. Whatever divides us in Christ must be torn down.
We are not doing such a good job of this today, as indicated by so many different churches. Why so many churches, but just one Word and one Christ?
In the temple compound, a wall separated the Court of the Gentiles from the Temple. A Gentile who went past this wall was put to death.
Galatians 3:28–29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Some organizations have enmity toward others. This is unacceptable in Christ because Christ has abolished this enmity.
If there is still enmity, then some are not in Christ.
This refers to the rituals of the Law. So now, there is no more Law.
One new man – something that has never been before. This new man describes each one of us and collectively the Church.
Ephesians 2:16
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Christ brings together the two factions, making them one body—the Church.
Only Christ can abolish the enmity of personal and national prejudice and exclusiveness between Jew and Gentile. This enmity was slain at Calvary.
Ephesians 2:17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Christ preached peace by His vicarious death.
Again, we are reminded where we were before Christ—far off. Let me ask this: Are we still too far off? Where are we?
Luke 21:34
Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life…
Ephesians 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Here is the gospel in one verse: Jesus, the Spirit, and God the Father.
Jesus is the only path to the Father and to salvation.
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Paul emphasizes again: we are forgetful people. Because hostility and enmity are past, you are no longer strangers.
Ephesians 2:20–22
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Paul changes the metaphor from family to spiritual temple to emphasize the unifying character of the Church.
1 Peter 2:3–7 (Selected Verses)
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood… Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious… Unto you therefore which believe he is precious…
The Gentiles are also included—built together.
When the Temple was built, materials came from many places. All the stones were shaped separately, yet they all fit together perfectly.
1 Kings 6:7
The house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither…
Final Thought:
This is the progress of the Church—built together for a habitation of God.