Ephesians – V 2:14-22

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Study Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-22

Christ Our Peace 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. Christ Our Cornerstone 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

A Call for Peace (V 14–22)

Setting the Stage:

Both Jews and Gentiles historically opposed  one another.  Jews considered Gentiles as unclean and treated them as dogs.  But now both Jews and Gentiles received Christ as their Savior.  These new converts of Gentiles and Jews were found inside the church.  Paul could sense a tension within the church because of the traditional hatred among both the groups. As God’s plan includes bringing all people together and uniting men and women from diverse backgrounds, there should be peace in the church and in the communities.   Sometime it takes a while to get the old baggage out of our lives.  Some of our old prejudices may hang around if we don’t take necessary steps to change our attitude and mindset.  Only when this transformation occurs, we can achieve peace in the body of Christ. 

1. What does Paul say that Jesus accomplished at the cross? What did He destroy that enables there to be peace among believers ( V14-16)?

• Jesus brought peace among men and with God.
• Jesus brings peace to relationships. He brings peace both vertically with God and horizontally with man.
• Jesus destroyed the partition, the middle wall of separation.
• Jesus abolished the enmity in His flesh, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances (the legislations enacted, the external rituals)
• Jesus had to represent both the Jews and the Gentiles in His body as one through the death at the cross.
• Jesus had to die to put to death the enmity so that He can reconcile both Jews and Gentiles as one body, which is the body of Christ, the church.

2. How do Jesus and the Holy Spirit provide the only means of access to the Father (V 17-18)?

When people hear  the Word, they  started believing in Him and got saved.  Thus gained access to the Father through the Son. Ephesians 1:13 Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

3. What standing do we have now before God (V 19)?

Because Jesus broken down the wall of separation, put to death the enmity at the cross and given access to God for those who hear the Word and believe, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but we are fellow citizens  and the members of the household of God.

4. Paul says Jesus is the cornerstone of the church.  How does it relate to the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles?

• Cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a building.
• Cornerstone is the most important part of the building.
• The total weight of the building rests upon the cornerstone.
• Cornerstone gives strength to the foundation and the entire structure. It is also the key to keep the walls straight.
• If the cornerstone is set properly, all the other corners will be set in an appropriate angle.

One building cannot have many cornerstones.  Also the entire structure is built on the same cornerstone.  So it is required that both Jews and Gentiles must be brought together to be built as a single structure that is considered as the dwelling place of God.

Questions:

1. How does the apostle Paul describe Jesus (V 2:14-15)?
2. What did Jesus accomplish for Jews and Gentiles through the cross (V 2:16)?
3. What were Gentiles considered to be before they became fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God (V 2:19)? 
4. What is Jesus’ position in the church (V 2:20)?

Application:

1.Why is it so important for believers in Christ to live in peace with one another? Why is it so challenging?   2. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   What efforts do we take to consider all people equal without any national, social, gender discriminations?   3. Ministry of reconciliation started at the cross, you and I need to continue that everyday.  What are we doing to create more peace and harmony in our family and in our church?