11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Therefore- Here Paul is starting another discussion. In Vs 1-10 we see how we are saved, now he starts to talk about our unity we find in Christ.
Gentiles in the flesh- uncircumcised this was not just physical but spiritual, Paul points this, no messiah, aliens for Gods people, strangers to Gods law, no hope and without God.
blood of Christ.- this has changed everything, not our good works, but HIS. His blood removed any barrier between us and God and Jews.
This coming together is now explained. 14-18
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
is our peace- Christ is what unites us
one- There is no Jew or Gentile
wall of separation- This is not a physical wall
in His flesh- His physical death
enmity- the distinction between Jew and Gentile the law was the reason for the enmity.
create in Himself- by dying he fulfilled the law and made it null and void.
one new man from the two, thus making peace – Jews and Gentiles are the same, because we have the same savior, there is peace. This one new man is “The Church”
He might reconcile- Not only did he create the church with his death he also brought that body to God
in one body through the cross- all are welcome to the cross because there is no more Jew or Gentile just humanity
putting to death the enmity. – we all can come to the cross, Jesus is the bridge.
preached peace- between God and man
afar off – that is the Gentile
who were near- that is the Jew
through Him- Christ not our works
both- All people
access by one Spirit to the Father-the Holy Spirit.
First Baptist Church Delmar 