What was the spiritual condition of the Gentiles while God was still dealing with Israel?
While God was dealing with Israel, including during Christ's earthly ministry, Gentiles were without Christ. They were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world. Paul describes them as uncircumcised, outside Israel's covenant privileges.
Les teaches from Ephesians 2:11 that Paul is writing to Gentile believers in Ephesus, a Gentile church. He explains that the Jews, the circumcision, referred to Gentiles as uncircumcised. At the time when God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew—including Christ's earthly ministry—Gentiles were without Christ. They were 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;