According to Ephesians 2:12, what was the state of Gentiles while God was dealing only with Israel?
Ephesians 2:12 states that while God was dealing only with Israel, 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 covenant promises and separated from Israel.
Les teaches that Ephesians 2:11-12 is Paul writing to Gentiles, reminding them that at that time—when it was Jew only, when God was dealing only with the nation of Israel on those covenant promises—they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. That was the lot of the Gentile because God was dealing only with the Jew. Les does not leave it there, because the next verse gives glorious hope: but now in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Until that is announced, the message remains for the Jew, who is to believe that Jesus is the Christ; this is God dealing with Israel.
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:
More Questions
What does Ephesians 2:12 say about the condition of Gentiles before Christ?
Paul describes the earlier condition of the Gentile believers in Ephesians 2:12: at that time they were without Christ/Messiah, aliens non-citizens from Israel's commonwealth, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God in this world.