What was the difference between Jews and Gentiles regarding covenant promises?
The Jews were under the covenant promises, while Gentiles had no part in them and were far off. However, in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were once far off are made nigh to God—not by the Law or covenants, but by the blood of Christ and His finished work.
Les explains that Paul does not leave Gentiles hopeless in Ephesians 2. Verse 12 shows the Gentile had no part in Israel’s covenant promises and was without God in this world. But verse 13 gives the contrast: in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were sometime far off are made nigh to God. This nearness does not come by the Law or by the covenants, but by the blood of Christ. Les further notes that the Jew was under the covenant promises while the Gentile had no part in it, but when Israel refused and rejected it, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.