The Epistle to the Ephesians

1. Eph 2:11 – “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—” Therefore, what’s it there for? A remembrance (present active imperative) from whence we’ve come – Eph 2:1-10! How do you interpret flesh here? There are many definitions of sarx; here flesh is not the human nature separated from divine influence, but (as the subsequent text shows) flesh here relates to human skin to which circumcision is applicable. Wuest – ‘Expositors say: "A further definition of what they were as ethnē (Gentiles), is suggestive of the low regard in which they were held as members of that class. The name Uncircumcision! —a name of contempt, was flung at them.” Uncircumcision means foreskin – not such an uplifting description is it. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 1 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel

2. Constable – ‘The Jew had an immense contempt for the Gentile. The Gentiles, said the Jews, were created by God to be fuel for the fires of hell.’ But Paul puts this into perspective! Rom 4:11 - And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision (Gen 17:9-14), a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, Rom 2:28,29 - For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Col 2:11 - In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, Phil 3;3 - For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Eph 2:12 – “that at that time you were without Christ, The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 2 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel

3. being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel strangers from the covenants of promise Separated from Christ, but what about Christ and Israel? Christ (Christos – Messiah) – interpreted here in a Jewish sense. aliens – to be shut out from one’s fellowship and intimacy, as we as Gentiles were from Christ! Col 1:21 - And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled. Describe the commonwealth of Israel. From Jacob (Israel) to be fulfilled to his posterity all the way to the promise of the Messiah. A state - here related to divine administration, but was that the Israelites’ view at this point? The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 3 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel

4. Probably not! McCalley – ‘In Israel there was no separation between civil and sacred’ Psalms 147:19,20 - He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise the LORD! But let’s reflect on Abraham’s seed. Rom 9:3,4 - For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; Gal 3:17 - And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. strangers from the covenants of (the) promise. And Gentiles were without knowledge and separated spiritually! having no hope and without God in the world. But did they, or the world system (kosmos) that we are in, care? John 15:19 – If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 4 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel

5. the world hates you. Is that your experience? Eph 2:13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” What does it mean to now be in Christ Jesus? Reflect on our position and condition - Rom 6:3-11 Did you or do you continue to see yourself as being far off? Is this something we need to be reminded of? Notice the qualification – But now we have been brought near by the blood of Christ! Now connects our salvation to the blood of Christ. Why is it Christ Jesus and not just Christ here? The perfect God/Man – savior! Christ is not only the Messiah, but the Savior as well. The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 5 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel

6. Eph 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. McCalley – ‘The words far and near are significant for two reasons. First, they are Hebrew idioms that describe the position of Jews and Gentiles relative to God. Isaiah 57:19 - “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” Acts 2:39 - “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Constable – ‘There is obvious continuity between the redeemed people of God in the Old Testament and the redeemed people of God in the New Testament. However here Paul stressed the differences between these two groups. Covenant theology stresses the continuity between the two groups whereas dispensational theology stresses the differences between them. Many covenant theologians deny these differences.’ We are all one in Christ Jesus! Rom 2:10 - But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: The Epistle to the Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-13, Our Past as Gentiles in the Flesh 6 April 12, 2018 Bob Eckel