According to Paul in Ephesians 2, what was the spiritual condition of pagan Gentiles around Israel?
Paul describes the pagan Gentiles surrounding Israel as without hope, aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers. Consequently, they were lost. Though they were held responsible because creation gave them knowledge of the Creator, they remained outside Israel's covenant and without excuse.
Les explains that from Abraham’s call until well into Acts, God dealt primarily with Israel, so the pagan Gentiles all around them were in a desperate spiritual state. Paul says in Ephesians 2 they were without hope; they were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel and strangers, and therefore lost. Even so, God still held them responsible because they could have known. Les stresses that every human being has an inward knowledge of a Creator God. It may be dormant because of circumstances, but if a person truly seeks, even a starry midnight sky can lead to the conclusion that the Creator exists. Scripture therefore says they are without excuse and have all the evidence. Les also points to Paul at Athens, where he confronted idolatry and philosophy on Mars Hill and declared the unknown God.
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
Why were the Gentiles without hope and without God before Paul?
Gentiles were without hope and without God in the world while God was dealing with Israel because they were not part of the nation of Israel.
What was the condition of Gentile forefathers before they were in Christ?
Gentile forefathers were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.