Ephesians 2 Exposition and Salvation Implications for Jews and Gentiles
Ephesians 2 describes the transformation of both Jews and Gentiles through Christ, moving from a state of spiritual death to new life and unity within the church. The chapter begins by detailing the former condition of the Ephesians, who were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1, ASV). This state is characterized by following "the course of this world" and obeying "the prince of the power of the air," identified as "the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2, ASV). This "prince of the power of the air" is understood by some commentators as Satan, who influences those living in sin [1].
Paul emphasizes that this condition was not unique to Gentiles but also applied to Jews, stating, "among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest" (Ephesians 2:3, ASV). John Gill notes that Paul's design in this chapter is to magnify divine grace in the salvation of sinners, describing the sad state of both Jewish and Gentile elect before conversion [2]. Adam Clarke also highlights that the chapter outlines the Ephesians' character before conversion and the virtue by which they were changed [6].
The turning point comes with God's mercy: "But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6, ASV). This salvation is explicitly stated as being "by grace... through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ASV). The purpose of this transformation is for believers to be "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, ASV).
Paul then addresses the specific implications for Gentiles, reminding them that they were once "separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12, ASV). However, "now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13, ASV). This reconciliation is central to the chapter's message.
Christ is presented as the one who "is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition" (Ephesians 2:14, ASV). This "middle wall of partition" refers to the historical and religious division between Jews and Gentiles. Matthew Henry explains that Christ made peace by his sacrifice, reconciling Jews and Gentiles to each other [4]. He abolished "the law of commandments contained in ordinances" to create "in himself one new man out of the two, so making peace" (Ephesians 2:15, ASV). This act of reconciliation on the cross destroyed the enmity between the two groups and between humanity and God, bringing both "in one body unto God through the cross" (Ephesians 2:16, ASV).
The result is that Christ "came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh" (Ephesians 2:17, ASV). Adam Clarke interprets this as proclaiming God's readiness to forgive and save both Jews and Gentiles [7]. Through Christ, both groups "have access in one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18, ASV). Clarke sees this verse as a clear proof of the Holy Trinity, with Jews and Gentiles presented to God the Father, the Spirit preparing them, and Jesus Christ introducing them [5].
Consequently, Gentiles are no longer "strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19, ASV). They are built "upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20, ASV). This imagery portrays the church as a unified structure, with Christ as the essential element holding it together. In him, "each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:21-22, ASV). The Tyndale House commentary notes that God's saving grace for both Jews and Gentiles should be reflected in how they relate to each other in the church, accepting each other warmly as God has accepted them [3]. This unity in Christ forms a new spiritual dwelling place for God.
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:2 cross-references: Leviticus 11:16, Job 1:7, Job 1:16, Job 1:19, Job 31:7, Psalms 17:14, Isaiah 30:1, Isaiah 57:4, Jeremiah 23:10, Hosea 10:9, Matthew 11:19, Matthew 12:43, Matthew 13:38, Luke 11:21, Luke 16:8, Luke 22:2, Luke 22:31, John 7:7, John 8:23, John 8:44, John 12:31, John 13:2, John 13:27, John 14:30, John 15:19, John 16:11, Acts 5:3, Acts 19:35, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 2:3, Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 5:6, Ephesians 6:12, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 3:6, 2 Timothy 4:10, James 1:7, James 4:4, 1 Peter ”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 2 The design of the apostle in this chapter, is to magnify the riches of divine grace, in the effectual calling and salvation of sinners, by Christ Jesus; in order to which, he describes the sad estate they are in by nature, and before conversion, even God's elect among the Jews, and especially among the Gentiles; and then observes how peace is made for and between them both, by Christ the peacemaker; and the various privileges and blessings which both enjoy, in consequence of it: he begins with the Ephesians, and expresses t”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:1: 4:1–6:20 Therefore: Ephesians divides into two sections, the first devoted to explaining the Good News, the second to drawing out the implications for Christian living. This arrangement reflects Paul’s belief that believers’ lives should be a response of gratitude for God’s grace. 4:1-6 God’s saving grace for both Jews and Gentiles should be reflected in how the two groups relate to each other in the church: They are to accept each other warmly, just as God has accepted them. 4:1 I, a prisoner for serving the Lord: See study note on 3:1. • Though salvation can n”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 2:14: We have now come to the last part of the chapter, which contains an account of the great and mighty privileges that converted Jews and Gentiles both receive from Christ. The apostle here shows that those who were in a state of enmity are reconciled. Between the Jews and the Gentiles there had been a great enmity; so there is between God and every unregenerate man. Now Jesus Christ is our peace, Eph 2:14. He made peace by the sacrifice of himself; and came to reconcile, 1. Jews and Gentiles to each other. He made both one, by reconciling these two divisions of m”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2:18: For through him - Christ Jesus, we both - Jews and Gentiles, have access by one Spirit - through the influence of the Holy Ghost, unto the Father - God Almighty. This text is a plain proof of the holy Trinity. Jews and Gentiles are to be presented unto God the Father; the Spirit of God works in their hearts, and prepares them for this presentation; and Jesus Christ himself introduces them. No soul can have access to God but by Jesus Christ, and he introduces none but such as receive his Holy Spirit. All who receive that Spirit are equally dear to him; and, whatev”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2 (introduction): The character of the Ephesians previously to their conversion to Christianity, Eph 2:1-3. By what virtue they were changed, and for what purpose, Eph 2:4-7. They were saved by faith, Eph 2:8, Eph 2:9. And created unto good works, Eph 2:10. The apostle enters into the particulars of their former miserable state, Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12. And those of their present happy state, Eph 2:13. Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles, and proclaims reconciliation to both, Eph 2:14-17. The glorious privileges of genuine belie”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2:17: And came and preached peace - Proclaimed the readiness of God to forgive and save both Jews and Gentiles. See the note on Eph 2:13.”