What does 'Gentiles in the flesh' mean in Ephesians 2:11?
In Ephesians 2:11, “Gentiles in the flesh” means non-Jews, people not part of the Abrahamic family or covenant. Paul says they were called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision,” the circumcised Jews, marking their former physical and covenant separation from Israel.
Les explains that Paul is putting the frosting on the cake in Ephesians 2:11-13. He notes that from Abraham all the way through the Old Testament and well into the New, God dealt with Jew only, with an exception here and there. So Gentiles in the flesh are non-Jews, not part of the Abrahamic family or covenant. The circumcised Jew called a Gentile uncircumcised, that is, uncircumcision.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
More Questions
What does Ephesians 2:11 say the condition of the Gentiles was before Christ?
According to Ephesians 2:11, during that time the Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God.
Who was Paul addressing in Ephesians 2:11?
Paul was writing Ephesians 2:11 to Gentile believers, since the church at Ephesus was a Gentile church.
Who is Paul talking to in Ephesians 2:11?
In Ephesians 2:11, Paul is speaking to people who had once been Gentiles in the flesh, that is, he is addressing Gentiles.