Ephesians 2:15-18To: Ephesians Main MenuTo: Grace Notes Home Page Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace: ---------- "having abolished in his flesh" - from (katargeo): "to render useless" The thing being abolished was "the enmity". And it was Jesus Christ's own work, in His own body, on the Cross, that accomplished this. He abolished the barrier between God and man, and between man and man (Jew and Gentile). The Cross cancels the barrier. Therefore, the Cross is the only way to have peace with God. Topic: THE BARRIER "the enmity" - (ton ekhthran). This is the opposite of love (philia). To have enmity means to live in hostility to someone, to think of someone as an enemy. Gal. 5:20; Prov. 6:19, compared with Prov. 1:23. Beween Jew and Gentile there was a "middle wall of partition", a separation set up by Jewish law but now broken down by the work of Christ. Topic: LAW OF MOSES Moral people are often legalistic, arrogant, and self-righteous. The first part of Romans 2 deals with this type of judgmental self-righteousness on the part of the one who points the finger of blame at an immoral person, yet "does the same things". Self-righteousness is a product of pride and produces enmity. This is seen in the disdain and indignation that is often characteristic of this type of sinful mental attitude. The self-righteous man judges another as if he, himself, was free of sin. However, there was a an even more formidable barrier broken down at the Cross, the enmity between God and man cause by man's sin. Christ died for us when we were His enemies. READ James 4:4; Romans 8:7 Topic: ENEMIES, Witnessing to The antidote to arrogance, legalism, self-righteousness, and enmity is the Word of God. When a Christian learns the Word of God, and is controlled by the Holy Spirit, there is a rapid growth in the qualities of consideration and love which are the opposite of enmity. The "fruit of the Spirit ... love, joy, peace ..." is the result of growing in Christ. ---------- "so making peace" - (eireinei). Peace is one of the most wonderful results of the work of Christ and Christian growth. To "make peace" is to "bring about or establish the condition of peace." There is both a figurative or spiritual peace and basic human harmony as results of God's work of peace-making. Topic: PEACE ---------- "even the law of commandments contained in ordinances" This is a reference to the law of Moses. Jews were grievously offended by Gentiles who "had no law". There has never been a social division as sharp as that between Jews and Gentiles. Yet God found a way, through Jesus Christ, to make "both one" in Christ, to form unity out of diversity. ---------- "to make in himself of two one new man" We are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph. 2:10). We have become the "new man, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of his creator" (Col. 3:10). This is also a reference to "the new man, created in the likeness of God in righteousness." (Eph. 4:24). ---------- Summary of Ephesians 2:8-15 "No one can pride himself upon earning the love of God. The fact is that what we are we owe to the hand of God upon us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do. "Do not lose sight of the fact that you were born "gentiles", known as "the uncircumcised" by those who were circumcised. You were without Christ; you were utter strangers to God's chosen community, Israel: and you had no knowledge of, or right to, the promised agreements. You had nothing to look forward to and no God to whom you could turn. "But now, through the blood of Christ, you who were once outside the pale are with us inside the circle of God's love in Christ Jesus. For Christ is our living peace. He has made a unity of the conflicting elements of Jew and Gentile by breaking down the barrier which lay between us. By his sacrifice he removed the hostility of the Law, with all its commandments and rules, and made in himself out of the two, Jew and Gentile, one new man, thus producing peace." Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby. ---------- "And that he might reconcile" - (apokatallasw). "to reconcile; to change mutually" Dictionary: "to restore to friendship; to restore to a previous condition." Compare Ephesians 1:10 with Colossians 1:20. The whole universe is to form a unity which has its goal and foundation in Jesus Christ. Reconciliation restores those who are at extreme odds. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5:10) READ 2 Cor. 5:17-21 for the process by which reconciliation takes place. Topic: RECONCILIATION ---------- "both" - in this context, one of the most important word in New Testament theology. BOTH Jew and Gentile need reconciliation to God! There is no room here for arrogance, class pride or envy, or any other distinction. READ Romans 3. "What then, are we better than they? God forbid, for we have before proved that they are ALL under sin." ---------- "unto God" - that is, "with God". Jew and Gentile are changed to a standard which God has set up, namely, his own perfect righteousness. 2 Cor. 5:18-21. The Process of Reconciliation. "And all things are of God, who has reconciled the world unto himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; ---------- "in one body" READ 1 Cor. 12:1-14. ---------- "by the Cross" The work of Christ for redemption made these things possible. ---------- "having slain the enmity thereby." (See discussion of verse 15) Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to them that were near. ---------- The coming of Christ meant that peace could be preached to them which were far off, the Gentiles, those who had previously had "no hope" and were "without God." And peace could be preached to those "that were near", the Jews, who had the "covenants of promise" and were the people of God. For both, this was peace with God, which both groups needed alike. And the result is that there was the opportunity for concord between the two groups as well. Through the Cross of Christ peace was made, and Christ, through His church, brings out the message of reconciliation and peace to the world. READ Acts 20:32; 2 Cor. 5:18-20 Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father. ---------- "For through Him" - through Jesus Christ. By means of Christ unity is achieved between Jew and Gentile. ---------- "we both have access" - (prosagwgei), "the way in; the approach; the landing place". John 10:9, "I am the door; by me if any man enter in ..." Rom. 5:1,2, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access (prosagwgei) by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." READ Heb. 10:19-22. ---------- "by one Spirit unto the Father." Entrance into union with Christ is by means of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 12:13. When we are saved, we are placed into Christ permanently by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal, the pledge, or our inheritance, Eph. 1:13,14. Summarizing the passage: Ephesians 2:15 By his sacrifice he removed the hostility of the Law, with all its commandments and rules, and made in himself out of the two, Jew and Gentile, one new man, thus producing peace. Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both (Jew and Gentile) unto God in a single body by the Cross, by which he did away with the enmity, Ephesians 2:17 And he came and preached peace to both parties, those who were strangers and those who were near, Ephesians 2:18 For by means of him we both have free access by one Spirit unto the Father. End of Lesson 14 Warren Doud [ Grace Notes ] 1705 Aggie Lane, Austin, Texas 78757 Phone: 512-458-8923 E-Mail: wdoud@bga.com |
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