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.
Les explains from Ephesians 2:12 that "at that time" means while God was dealing with His covenant people Israel, before the age of grace came in. Gentiles were without Messiah or Christ. They were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, meaning they were not citizens of that entity and could be subject to deportation at almost any time. They were strangers from the covenants of promise, not Jews, and could not partake of those covenant promises. Their lot was to have no hope and to be without God in the world. Les calls it not a very pretty picture, because God was dealing with the people He had made different. But now, since there is no difference, he points ahead to the next verse.
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 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.
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.