RECONCILED THROUGH CHRIST

Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

Key verse: 15,16

NIV

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly(A) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(B)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(C) to the covenants of the promise,(D) without hope(E) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(F) were far away have been brought near(G) by the blood of Christ.(H)

14 For he himself is our peace,(I) who has made the two groups one(J) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(K) the law with its commands and regulations.(L) His purpose was to create in himself one(M) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(N) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(O) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(P) 18 For through him we both have access(Q) to the Father(R) by one Spirit.(S)

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(T) but fellow citizens(U) with God’s people and also members of his household,(V) 20 built(W) on the foundation(X) of the apostles and prophets,(Y) with Christ Jesus himself(Z) as the chief cornerstone.(AA) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(AB) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(AC)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

One in Christ

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called (A)the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember (B)that you were at that time separated from Christ, (C)alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to (D)the covenants of promise, (E)having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were (F)far off have been brought near (G)by the blood of Christ. 14 For (H)he himself is our peace, (I)who has made us both one and has broken down (J)in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in (K)ordinances, that he might create in himself one (L)new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might (M)reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and (N)preached peace to you who were (O)far off and peace to those who were (P)near. 18 For (Q)through him we both have (R)access in (S)one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer (T)strangers and aliens,[a] but you are (U)fellow citizens with the saints and (V)members of the household of God, 20 (W)built on the foundation of the (X)apostles and prophets, (Y)Christ Jesus himself being (Z)the cornerstone, 21 (AA)in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into (AB)a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him (AC)you also are being built together (AD)into a dwelling place for God by[b] the Spirit.

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 2:19 Or sojourners
  2. Ephesians 2:22 Or in
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul was writing to the Gentile Christians in Ephesus. As Gentiles, they were not circumcised, were not Jews, were not his chosen people, nor did they receive the covenants nor the promises. Though they were far from God, they have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ. We, too, went far from God, but have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ.

Christ is our peace. Through his perfect sacrifice on the cross, Jesus did away with the old system of laws and sacrifices. Now, anyone can draw near to God through his blood. Ultimately, God’s plan was to unite the Jews and Gentiles through Christ’s sacrifice. They are now reconciled and united in him and enjoy real peace with each other through the Holy Spirit.

Thus, all Christians belong to the household of God, are citizens of his kingdom, and are built into the living temple of God with Christ as the chief cornerstone and the prophets and apostles as the foundations. This is the vessel of the Holy Spirit. Is there any believer that you need to reconcile with?

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who died on the cross to reconcile us to you and to others to make one body in Christ. Help me to enjoy your peace with others through Christ’s blood.

One Word: Reconciled through Christ’s blood