What was the condition of the Gentiles when God was dealing only with Israel?
At that time Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. They were outside Israel’s covenant promises while God was dealing only with the nation of Israel.
Les teaches that Paul writes to Gentiles in Ephesians, verses 11 and 12, reminding them that when it was Jew only—when God was dealing only with the nation of Israel on those covenant promises—the Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. He says that was the lot of the Gentile because God was dealing only with the Jew. Les does not like to leave it there, because the next verse is glorious hope: in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Until that is announced, the message stays with the Jew, who was to believe that Jesus is the Christ.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
What was the condition of Gentiles before the age of grace according to Ephesians 2:12?
Before the age of grace, Gentiles were without Messiah or Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. They were not Jews and could not partake of Israel's covenant promises, so they were outside, hopeless, and separated from God during the time God dealt with Israel.
Could Gentiles claim Israel's covenants of promise?
No. Gentiles could not claim Israel's covenants of promise. Scripture states they were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from those covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Those covenants belonged only to the Jew, not to the Gentile, until Israel became the prepared, obedient people through whom God would reach Gentiles.
More Questions
What was the spiritual condition of the Gentiles before God dealt with them?
The Gentiles' condition was one of having no hope and being without God in the world, which was the lot of the Gentiles.