Ephesians 2:11-13

¹¹ “Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

So-called circumcision: Paul is criticizing Jewish misconceptions about circumcision. The Jews, including Paul pre-conversion, placed too much emphasis on the outward act of circumcision. Outward circumcision is not the circumcision desired by God, according to Paul. Instead, people need a spiritual heart surgery. We need to be circumcised spiritually through faith in Christ (Romans 2:28). 

Without God in the world: Gentiles did not have a covenant relationship with God. But now they have been brought near by the blood of Christ. This is the heart of Paul’s message about predestination (Ephesians 1:11-13). Jews and Gentiles have become one in Christ. This nearness of God to all people, Jew and Gentiles, is a gift and is not progressive. This means that when we believe in Jesus, we are as close to God as we can get.