Eph 2:14–16 — One New Man in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-13 describes our former condition as Gentiles - strangers to the covenants. “But now in Christ Jesus” we have been brought near 14-16: The centerpiece of the paragraph Explains HOW we were brought near - through Christ’s cross. The dividing wall has been broken down, so that we now have access to the Father - one new man created out of the two. The cross of Christ is central to this grand reconciliation. This morning we will look at vv. 14-16.

Verse 14

Paul introduces the theme of this section with the phrase “He himself is our peace” The word “peace” occurs 4 times in this brief section along with related ideas such as destroying the dividing wall of hostility putting to death the hostility reconciliation making the two one one new humanity one body “who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” The two groups, Jews and Gentiles, were formerly separated in the OT Racially Religiously By language By circumcision By the laws that kept Israel separate such as dietary restrictions. But now Jesus Christ has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He has removed the barrier by fulfilling the Law and taking away the restrictions and regulations that made Israel separate and distinct from the nations In the temple there was a barrier separating the court of the Gentiles from the inner courts Attached to this barrier at intervals were notices in Greek and Latin warning Gentiles not to proceed further on pain of death Jesus has broken down that barrier separating us from the holy presence of God. Those who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile now have equal access by the Spirit (v. 18) In fact, our status is even more glorious than this Together we are the sanctuary where God dwells (vv. 19-22)

Verse 15

How did Jesus Christ accomplish this?

“By abolishing the Law with its commandments and regulations” This sentence is so important that we are going to devote an entire sermon to it next week, Lord willing. For the moment, we simply need to point out that the barrier that separated the Gentiles from the inner sanctuary was not a literal stone wall with warnings in Greek and Latin That physical barrier was only a metaphor for the deeper separation that had been erected by God himself when he gave the Law to Israel. It was the Law, then, that Jesus had to deal with in order to make a way of access for us Gentiles. But Jesus has not only removed the barrier, he has “created in himself one new man out of the two” New creation (see v. 10 above) New man (see Eph. 4:24). This new humanity is a corporate entity. It is Paul’s way of referring to the church. Many Reformed people have mistaken views about the church. They say that the church began immediately after the fall when God first established the covenant of grace with Adam and Eve. Some would go even further and say that the church began in the garden before the fall when Adam and Eve met with God in covenant fellowship and worship. But this is not biblical. It is true that there is only one people of God and that a redeemed covenant community has existed since the very first revelation of the gospel promise in Gen. 3. It is also true that Israel and the Church are organically connected since the Gentiles have been grafted into the Olive Tree God does not have two trees:

one for the Jews, and one for the Gentiles. Thus, Reformed people are right to criticize the dispensational view which puts too great a separation between Israel and the church. However, Paul speaks of the church as a new entity in God’s plan - a new entity that has arisen in Christ in which the two groups are made into one new man. The church in this sense began at Pentecost. The church is nothing less than a new creation Paul goes back to Gen. 2:7 and Ezek. 37 and states that in Christ a new humanity has been created out of the dust of death.

Verse 16

The church of Jesus Christ is not an amalgam of both Jews and Gentiles the best of both joined together. No it is an eschatological new reality. A radical transformation has occurred. The radicalness of this transformation is made clear by the fact that this new entity, the church, could only come about by means of the cross (v. 16). A decisive judgment had to occur God had to judge sin in the flesh thus accomplishing a radical and definitive break with the past. It is so easy to think only terms of continuity to trace the unbroken line of continuity from the covenant community from the Old to the New Testament. But when we do that we must not skip the cross which sticks out like a sore thumb right in the middle of our neat little line breaking the continuum with a jagged knife-edge. The cross rips right through the middle of redemptive history and shows us that the new humanity that has emerged in Christ is a new thing, a new creation, that cannot just be smoothed over with our covenant continuity. Why is this?

Because the same Law which separated Israel from the Gentiles also separated Israel from God. The Law was a threat to Israel’s covenant relationship. It constantly hung over Israel’s head with its conditions and curses threatening to expel Israel from the inheritance. Indeed, that is precisely what happened when Israel was cast out of the land and sent into exile in a heathen land That is why Jesus had to “reconcile both of them to God” Both Jews and Gentiles were alienated from God. Both were dead in trespasses and sins. Both needed to be made alive in Christ. All throughout this section, in each of the three verses we have dealt with so far Paul makes a reference to the cross 13 - through the blood of Christ 15 - by abolishing in his flesh the Law 16 - through the cross.

Application

Notice that it is not merely that Christ is the source of peace Paul says, he himself is our peace. Thus, the word peace is more than the absence of hostility. It is a comprehensive term describing the wholeness and harmony and fellowship that we have with God and with one another Peace in the OT is the Hebrew word shalom It refers to a sense of well-being which embraces every aspect of life from the family to the community to one’s relationship with God Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Peace in the Hebrew sense of well-being is much more than two formerly hostile groups getting along. It is a positive feeling of harmony, unity of heart and purpose, a sense of community and fellowship a sense of belonging, of being a valued member of the community. It is difficult to think of anything in life that people crave more desperately than this One of the hardest things in life is when you feel like you don’t fit in that your differences from the norm or from the rest of the group stand out so much that you feel like an oddball, a stranger. We want a home, a place where we are accepted and loved. A group with which we can identify and feel secure. Some people look for this feeling in their racial identity. The identity politics of today Jews, Hispanics, African-Americans, etc.

Others seek out a political party an activist group with shared ideals. Others get involved in the party scene. Others seek out religion Cults are attractive for this reason Strongly cohesive group United around a single leader with a vision. Even orthodox churches can become cult-like when they emphasize their distinctive doctrines or practices. We Presbyterians share common things that make us feel superior to other less intellectual Christians Our doctrinal views on the sovereignty of God - Calvinism Our distinctive practices like infant baptism Sabbath keeping the regulative principle of worship. Of course, it is a big improvement to feel good about being a Presbyterian than to take pride in one’s racial identity. But in spite of the improvement it isn’t much different in the sight of God Paul says “Christ is our shalom” Not our race, not our politics, not even our doctrinal distinctives Gal. 6:14-15. All other sources of identity and community are of the flesh 2 Cor. 5:12, 16-17 Anything less than Christ is an empty boast in oneself, one’s righteousness what I have or am that makes me superior to others 1 Cor. 1:26-31. We must strip ourselves of all outward badges all external markers that separate us from others As Christians we are united in one thing and one thing only that we are all sinners saved by grace that we are members of the one body of Jesus Christ and filled with one and the same Spirit which Jesus has poured out abundantly upon us 1 Cor. 12:12-13 Brothers and sisters, who is your peace?

Where do you look for your sense of well-being, identity, and community?

If it is to anything other than Jesus Christ then you are nullifying the cross of Christ and robbing Christ of the glory that is due to him alone Philippians 3:1-11.