Ephesians 2:14-18 (WEL) For he is our peace, who made both one and has broken down the separating wall between us. 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the Law of Commandments, containing rules, for this purpose, to make by himself one from two, making peace, 16 That he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, and so killing the hatred. 17 He came and preached peace to us, who are far away, and to those that were near. 18 For through him, we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
V14 For he is our peace, who made both one and has broken down the separating wall between us.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The greatest peace He brought is peace between God and humanity. The condition to acquire this peace is to believe and trust in Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus brought peace between God and man (Romans 5:8-11) and Jew and Gentile. Today believers are not Jew and Gentile; we are Christians. The Jew does not lose his/her Jewish identity. The Jews had the covenants, the laws, the blessings, the promises, etc. Now God wanted all people to be blessed with salvation through Jesus Christ. Now Jew and Gentile, one in Jesus Christ, have the same promises, blessings, and hopes.
V15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the Law of Commandments, containing rules, for this purpose, to make by himself one from two, making peace,
The Law of Commandments (Mosaic Law) was the divider. It divided Jew and Gentile, circumcised and uncircumcised, clean and unclean, but the Cross of Jesus Christ was the death of Mosaic Law and the beginning of Jesus’s law. Now, believers, Jews or Gentiles, have the same Savior, same God, same promises, same hopes, and fellowship together, being one in purpose and goals. We are blessed to be wild olive branches grafted into the cultivated olive tree (Israel—Romans 11:11-16) and enjoy being God’s people. Nevertheless, Israel means Israel, Christian means Christians. The church and Israel are totally separate programs of God.
Comments:
(Zondervan King James Version Commentary, New Testament) “The first half of this verse is a reference to Numbers 15:17-21. Part of the dough made from the first of the harvested grain (the firstfruit) was offered to the Lord, which consecrated the whole batch. The firstfruit and the root refer to the patriarchs, and the lump and the branches refer to the Jewish people. In this analogy of the firstfruit, holy means “consecrated to God.” Paul was saying, not that all Jews are righteous (i.e., saved), but that God will be true to His promises concerning them (see 3:3-4) because of the patriarchs, which involves God’s election of grace. Paul foresaw a future for Israel, even though she is for a time set aside.”
V16 That he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, and so kill the hatred.
All were separated from God. The Jews were a special nation but did not have salvation guaranteed. Now those who believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ are reconciled into one body, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27, Romans 12:5, and Ephesians 5:30).
Day by Day by Grace: “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.” In order to bear fruit unto the Lord, we had to first be released from our dead relationship to the law. We could not perform effectively under that demanding standard. Thus, our lives were spiritually fruitless before God. Next, we needed to be joined in a new, living relationship with the risen Christ, that we might partake of His grace resources for living. We have experienced both through faith in the Lord Jesus. Now the risen Christ works by His grace in and through our lives, as we humbly depend upon Him.”
V17 He came and preached peace to us, who are far away, and to those that were near.
Those who are far away are the Gentiles who do not know many things about God by only knowing the awesomeness of creation (Romans 1:19-20). The Jews are near because they had the Scriptures of God’s will, character, plans, and rules.
V18 For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
A believer, whether Jew or Gentile, can pray. There are no special favors for the Jews. We can come in the same way, for God is our savior, our Father, and our King.
We learn:
- Some facts about oneness in Jesus Christ.
- God’s will for peace between Jew and Gentile who believes in Jesus Christ for salvation.
Questions:
- How do you treat your Jewish and Gentile brethren in Christ?
- Are you enjoying the oneness through Jesus together?