The coming of Christ changed the status of Gentiles from being far off, without Christ, aliens from Israel's covenants, having no hope, and without God — to being brought near to God through the blood of Christ.
Before this change, God was dealing with Israel as His covenant people, and Gentiles were outsiders (Ephesians 2:12). In Christ Jesus, those who were far off were made nigh by His blood (Ephesians 2:13). Les Feldick explains that this was accomplished not by Gentiles entering into covenant relationship or Judaism, but solely by the finished work of the cross.
Ephesians 2:13 — This verse states the decisive change: Gentiles who were once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:12 says that in time past, Gentiles 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." Ephesians 2:13 then records the change: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Scripture therefore shows that the decisive turning point for the Gentile's status was the sacrificial death of Christ.
Les emphasizes that before the coming of Christ, God was dealing only with the Jew. He points to Acts 11:19 where Jewish believers, even seven years after Pentecost, preached to none but Jews only. The status of the Gentile before Christ is exactly what Ephesians 2:12 describes: without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Then the cross changed everything: in Christ Jesus, Gentiles who were far off were made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les stresses that this was not by coming into a covenant relationship or by becoming Jewish, but by the blood of Christ alone. He also notes the historical inversion: in the Old Testament it was Jew only with a few Gentile exceptions; now it is practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions.
Before Christ, Scripture says Gentiles 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" (Ephesians 2:12). Les points out that this was true while God was dealing with Israel on the covenant basis, and remained true through Christ's earthly ministry. He also notes that as late as the stoning of Stephen, seven years after Pentecost, Jewish believers preached "the word to none but unto the Jews only" (Acts 11:19).
In Christ Jesus, Gentiles who at one time were far off "are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). Les says this refers to the crucifixion. He emphasizes that this was not accomplished by coming into a covenant relationship or by coming under Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. The result was that those who had been outside the covenants were now brought near to God.
Some are troubled by the Gentile's former condition, but Les responds that we cannot accuse God of unfairness. God is always fair, just, and righteous. Les also explains that God did not reveal things until His own timing and did not expect people to believe something He had never said before.
No Gentile Inclusion Until Saul's Conversion
Les shows that as late as seven years after Pentecost, Jewish believers were still preaching only to Jews, confirming that God was dealing only with Israel before the Gentile status changed.
Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ
Les teaches that the Gentile's status changed 'in Christ Jesus,' being made nigh by the blood of Christ—referring to His crucifixion—and that God revealed this in His own timing.
Not by Covenant but by Blood
Les explains that Gentiles were made nigh not by entering a covenant relationship or Judaism, but solely by Christ's blood; historically, it has shifted from Jew only to practically Gentile only.
Status During Christ's Earthly Ministry
Les reads Ephesians 2 to describe the Gentile's condition during Christ's earthly ministry: without Christ, aliens, strangers, no hope, without God.
Strangers and Without Hope
Les reminds us that Gentiles were strangers to the covenants of promise and without hope, but now God has reached the point where there is no difference.
The Lot of Gentile Forefathers
Les emphasizes that these words applied to Gentile forefathers: without Christ, aliens, strangers, having no hope, without God—then points to the 'flip side' word.
Dying, Buried, Rising to Bring Hope
Les confirms the Gentile's hopeless position but explains they were not beyond hope because Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were soon to take place.
God's Fairness to Gentiles
Les describes the Gentile's former status and then responds to the objection of unfairness, affirming God's justice and righteousness.
Ephesians 2:12: 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:
This verse states the exact status of Gentiles before Christ—far off, outside the covenants, without hope and without God.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This verse records the change: in Christ Jesus, those far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Acts 11:19: Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
This verse confirms the historical setting Les cites: Jewish believers preached only to Jews as late as the persecution after Stephen.
Yes—according to Ephesians 2:12, Gentiles were "having no hope, and without God in the world" when God was dealing with Israel. Les Feldick clarifies that this was not a permanent hopelessness; it was soon to be overtaken by Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The blood of Christ brought them near.
No. Les Feldick teaches that Gentiles were not made nigh by coming into a covenant relationship or by coming under Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. The change in status happened purely through the crucifixion and God's grace.
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