Ephesians 2:14-22

¹⁴ “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, ¹⁵ by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; ¹⁸ for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”

Verse 14: Paul declares that Jesus himself is our peace. Through His sacrificial work on the cross, He has reconciled both Jews and Gentiles, breaking down the barrier that once separated them. This barrier refers to the division between Jews and Gentiles in terms of religious practices and access to God’s promises.

Verse 15: Paul explains that Jesus abolished the enmity between Jews and Gentiles by fulfilling the requirements of the Law through His death and resurrection. The Law, with its commandments and ordinances, served as a dividing wall, but Jesus removed that barrier and created a new humanity, united in him, establishing true peace.

Verse 16: Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God. He put to death the enmity and hostility that existed between them, bringing them together as one body in him. This reconciliation is made possible through the cross, where Jesus paid the price for our sins and made a way for us to be in relationship with God.

Verse 17: Jesus, in His ministry, proclaimed the message of peace to both the Gentiles who were far away from God’s covenant promises and the Jews who were near to those promises. His message of peace was not limited to a specific group but extended to all who all who would receive it. Jesus came to bring peace to those who were far away from God and to those who were near, bridging the gap and offering reconciliation to all.

Verse 18: Paul emphasizes that it is through Jesus that both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father. It is not through adherence to the Law or any religious rituals, but through faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we can approach God as our Father. Our access to the Father is made possible by the work of Jesus on the cross.

Verse 19: Paul reassures the believers that they are no longer outsiders or foreigners, but they are now part of God’s family. They are fellow citizens with the saints, united in Christ and belonging to God’s household. This highlights the unity and inclusion that comes through faith in Jesus.

Verse 20: Paul explains that the believers are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Jesus is the central and essential element that holds everything together. He is the foundation upon which the church is built, and through him, believers find their unity and purpose.

Verse 21: Paul describes the believers as a building that is being fitted together and growing into a holy temple in the Lord. This imagery emphasizes the unity and growth of the church as a spiritual dwelling place for God. It is through our connection to Christ and our unity with one another that we become a holy temple, a place where God’s presence resides.

Verse 22: Paul concludes by affirming that the believers, both Jews and Gentiles, are being built together into a dwelling place for God through the Spirit. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are united and become a place where God’s presence resides. This highlights the intimate relationship we have with God and the unity we experience as His people. It’s also important to note that it is God who is doing the building. God is the author of our salvation, from start to finish.