Who was Paul writing to in the book of Ephesians?
Paul was writing to Gentile believers in Ephesus, a city of the Gentile church. These were non-Jewish Christians whom Jews called uncircumcised, and Paul addressed them as Gentiles who had been without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, without hope and without God.
Les explains that in Ephesians 2:11 Paul is writing to Gentile believers, because Ephesus was a city of the Gentile church. To qualify the term circumcision, Les notes the circumcision refers to the Jews, while Gentiles were often called uncircumcised dogs. Paul refers to that distinction, telling these Gentiles that at the time God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, including Christ's earthly ministry, they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;