EPHESIANS 2:14-16 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.
Starting off in Verse 14.
Our Peace; The Greek word is εἰρήνη eirene. Strongs G1515. Vines does not offer a direct definition, but the word means peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity Derivation: probably from a primary verb εἴρω (to join); KJV Usage: one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.
The Middle Wall Of Separation; NSB* - Notes. between Jews and Gentiles was vividly portrayed by an actual partition in the temple area, with a sign warning that any Gentile going beyond the court of the Gentiles would receive swift and sudden death.
Moving to Verse 15.
The Enmity; This has the idea of "enemy" ie, "hatred." It is the opposite of agape, "love." Hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition. In the Greek this is ἔχθρα echthra. Strongs G2189. Vines (def.Prime).
NSB - Notes: Having Abolished...The Law; Paul was not saying that God had rejected the righteous standards of the law. Rather, in Christ the righteous standards that people could never reach have been accomplished. He is our righteousness; in Him, believers fulfill the law.
Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all [a]and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
NSB - Notes: The Christian church composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is described as "one new man". In the early days, the church was largely made up of Jews. But under the direction of God's spirit, the believers witnessed to Gentiles (Acts 10) who then outnumbered the Jews.
My Notes: So the peace of Christ overpowers the wall between Jews and Gentiles putting the hatred between the two to death. The "new man" 'the Church which is His (Christ's) body,'. This should also involve a character or spiritual and moral pattern that reflects Christ. Specifically in this case understanding both Jews and Gentiles are under a new covenant in Jesus Christ.
Moving to Verse 16.
This goes back to the last study.
Reconcile; This is the Greek word ἀποκαταλλάσσω apokatallasso. Strong's G604. Vines (def. A-2 Verb) "to reconcile completely" of believing Jew and Gentile "in one body unto God through the Cross;"
Putting To Death The Enmity; The enemy here is "hatred" or any separation between Jews and Gentiles.
More verses backing up these ideas.
Colossians 1:20-22 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Takeaway -
In Christ, there is no division between Jews and Gentiles or (non-Jews). We are completely reconciled. In this spirit as Christians, we should greet all Jews (whether they have come to Jesus Christ or not) with the kindness Jesus displayed to us when He made us fellow heirs of the same body (the Church), with the knowledge that we never know who will one day come to Christ, and ensure that the Holy Spirit is working through us.
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