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One in Christ
This passage explains a big change for Gentiles and Jews. It shows what life was like before, what Christ has done, and how both groups now come to God together through him.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In this part of Ephesians, the writer speaks directly to Gentiles and asks them to remember their former condition. The passage is written as teaching, tracing a movement from separation and distance to peace, reconciliation and shared access to the Father through Christ.
Ephesians 2:11–18Main takeaway
In Christ, people who were separated are brought near to God and joined together in peace.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Remember what was true beforeThe passage begins with a call to remember. Gentiles were labelled “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision”, a contrast connected with the body and something “made by hands”.
Explanation
The passage begins with a call to remember. Gentiles were labelled “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision”, a contrast connected with the body and something “made by hands”. They had been separate from Christ, outside Israel’s commonwealth, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.
02Christ brings those far away nearThe turning point is “but now in Christ Jesus”. Those once “far off” are “made near” in the blood of Christ.
Explanation
The turning point is “but now in Christ Jesus”. Those once “far off” are “made near” in the blood of Christ. Nearness here is not presented as something they achieved themselves. It comes through what Christ has done, changing their standing from distance to closeness.
03Jesus himself is our peaceThe passage does not only say that Jesus gives peace. It says, “he is our peace”. He made “both one” and broke down “the middle wall of separation”.
Explanation
The passage does not only say that Jesus gives peace. It says, “he is our peace”. He made “both one” and broke down “the middle wall of separation”. The two groups are spoken of together, and the dividing barrier between them is described as removed by Christ.
04One new people, reconciled through the crossChrist abolished “the hostility” and the “law of commandments contained in ordinances” in order to create “one new man of the two”, making peace.
Explanation
Christ abolished “the hostility” and the “law of commandments contained in ordinances” in order to create “one new man of the two”, making peace. He also reconciled both to God in one body through the cross. The passage keeps both ideas together: peace with each other and reconciliation to God.
05Peace preached to both, access for bothThe final verses repeat the shared blessing. Peace is preached to those “far off” and to those “near”.
Explanation
The final verses repeat the shared blessing. Peace is preached to those “far off” and to those “near”. Then the reason is given: through him, “we both” have access in one Spirit to the Father. The result is not two pathways, but one shared access to God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words describe the Gentiles’ condition before Christ in this passage?
Look for the phrases about being separate, alienated, strangers, without hope and without God, and notice how many layers of distance are named.
02What does the passage say Christ did to bring peace between the two groups?
Trace the verbs: made near, made both one, broke down the separation, created one new man, and reconciled both through the cross.
03Who now has access to the Father, and how?
Pay attention to the repeated word “both” and the phrase “through him... in one Spirit... to the Father”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 2:11–18
11Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision” (in the flesh, made by hands),
12that you were at that time 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.
13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.
14For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of separation,
15having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace,
16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility through it.
17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.
18For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.