Ephesians 2:11-18
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
11 Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by those called the circumcision, which is done in the flesh by human hands, 12 were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel[a] and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.(A) 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.(B)
14 [b]For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,(C) 15 abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person[c] in place of the two, thus establishing peace,(D) 16 and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it.(E) 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near,(F) 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.(G)
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- 2:12 The community of Israel: or “commonwealth”; cf. Eph 4:18. The covenants: cf. Rom 9:4: with Abraham, with Moses, with David.
- 2:14–16 The elaborate imagery here combines pictures of Christ as our peace (Is 9:5), his crucifixion, the ending of the Mosaic law (cf. Col 2:14), reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18–21), and the destruction of the dividing wall such as kept people from God in the temple or a barrier in the heavens.
- 2:15 One new person: a corporate body, the Christian community, made up of Jews and Gentiles, replacing ancient divisions; cf. Rom 1:16.
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