Yes — Christ's coming and finished work on the cross completely changed the Gentiles' standing before God.
Scripture says that before Christ, 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. Ephesians 2:13 declares that 'now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.' Les Feldick emphasizes that this nearness does not come by the Law or by covenant relationship, but solely by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13 — This passage directly answers the question by contrasting the Gentile's former alienation from Israel and from God with their new nearness through Christ's blood.
Paul writes to Gentile believers and commands them to remember their past condition. In Ephesians 2:11, he reminds them that in time past they were Gentiles in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by the circumcision made by hands. In Ephesians 2:12, he states plainly: '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.' The change is stated in Ephesians 2:13: 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.' The text itself draws the contrast between 'at that time' and 'but now in Christ Jesus,' and it bases the new nearness on the blood of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that this passage is written to Gentile believers and highlights the vast difference between the Old Testament prophetic program and the body of truth revealed through Paul. He explains that when God was dealing with Israel on the covenant basis, the Gentile's lot was to be called an uncircumcised dog, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God. Les stresses that this was because God was dealing with Jew only. But now, in Christ Jesus and in the finished work of the cross, those far-off Gentiles are made nigh—not by entering a covenant relationship or coming under Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. Les also shows that the situation has been inverted: where it was once Jew only with a few Gentile exceptions, it is now practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions. When Israel rejected Christ, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentiles in grace.
In the Old Testament economy, God was dealing with Jew only. Les explains that the Jew called the Gentile 'uncircumcised dogs.' At that time, including Christ's earthly ministry, Paul says Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from Israel's commonwealth, 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 emphasizes that the change is 'in Christ Jesus' and in His finished work of the cross. Gentiles are made nigh not by coming into a covenant relationship and not by coming under Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. On the basis of the finished work of the cross, God now deals with Gentiles who were once steeped in paganism and had no knowledge of the God of Abraham.
Les says the whole thing has been totally inverted. In the Old Testament it was Jew only with a few Gentile exceptions; now it is practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions. When Israel refused and rejected Christ, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace. This is why Paul could write to Gentile believers and call them to remember what they once were and what they are now in Christ.
Gentiles Called Uncircumcision
Les explains Paul's description of Gentiles in the flesh as 'called Uncircumcision' by the circumcised Jew, and he notes that God was dealing with Jew only in the Old Testament economy.
Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ
Les shows the contrast: in Christ Jesus, those who were far off are made nigh not by covenant relationship or Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. He also observes the inversion—Jew only in the Old Testament, practically Gentile only now.
From No Hope to Glorious Hope
Les calls the next verse in Ephesians 2 'glorious hope for us Gentiles'—those who were once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, though the preceding passage leaves Israel as the focus.
Gentiles Steeped in Paganism
Les says on the basis of the finished work of the cross God now deals with Gentiles who were steeped in paganism and had no knowledge of the God of Abraham; they are made nigh by the blood.
Israel Set Aside, Gentiles in Grace
Les explains that when Israel refused and rejected Christ, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace, and the flip side is that Gentiles are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Status During Christ's Earthly Ministry
Les clarifies that even during Christ's earthly ministry, while God was dealing with His covenant people, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens, strangers, without hope, and without God.
The Gentile's Hope in Coming Resurrection
Les notes that although Gentiles were without hope in the world, they were not ultimately without hope because the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were soon to take place.
No Difference Now
Les points to the Gentile's former condition—strangers, no hope, without God—and then notes that now God has come to the point that there is no difference, pointing to the next verse.
Ephesians 2:11: 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;
Paul calls Gentile believers to remember their former status before Christ.
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 is the direct scriptural description of the pre-Christian condition of the Gentiles.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This is the pivotal change: those who were far off are now made near through Christ's blood.
Yes. Ephesians 2:12 says the Gentiles were 'without God in the world' at that time. Les Feldick explains that this was the lot of the Gentile because God was dealing only with the Jew.
According to Ephesians 2:13, they are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les emphasizes that it is not by the Law, not by the covenants, and not by coming under Judaism, but by the finished work of the cross.
Les teaches that when Israel refused and rejected Christ, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace. The relationship was inverted: old was Jew only, now it is practically Gentile only with a few Jewish exceptions.
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