Church in Ephesus was mostly
I am God’s (v.10)
For we are His workmanship (poiema), created in Christ Jesus for good (agathos) works (ergon), which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10 (NASU)
Poem: from Greek poiema (MW)
We are God’s work of art (v.10) (Jerusalem Bible)
1. Who We Were (vv.11-12)
Uncircumcised:
Circumcision:
Separate from Christ, Excluded from Citizenship, No Covenant, without hope and without God (v.12)
2. What God Did (vv.13-18)
The Goal: To reconcile both of them to God (v.16)
Method: Blood of Christ (v.13) In His flesh (v.15) The Cross (v 16)
Destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility/enmity (v.14) (NIV)
Put to death their hostility/enmity (v.16)
He is our Peace (v.14) He made Peace (v.15)
He preached Peace (v.17) (Isaiah 57:19)
Preached: euangelizoo – to bring good news, to announce glad
tidings (Thayer’s)
Gospel: euangelion – Good News (Vine’s)
Peace is not merely the cessation of hostility; it is a comprehensive term for salvation and life with God
(NIV Life Application Commentary)
Made the two one (v.14) One new man (v.15) One body (v.16) One Spirit (v.18)
We have to be reconciled before we can be reconciled (v.16)
…and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (v.16)
3. Here’s What This Means (vv.19-22)
(v.19) Consequently (NIV)
So Then (NASU)
Now Therefore (KJV, NKJV)
Then, Therefore (YLT)
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone. – Psalms 118:22 (NASU)
I am a full in God’s Kingdom (v.19)
I am member of God’s (v.19)
…as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” – Romans 8:15 (NASB)
I am part of God’s (vv.20-22)
As part of God’s Temple I’m a
In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:22 (ESV)
Conversion isn’t the it’s the