According to Ephesians 2, before Christ Gentiles were without Christ — aliens from Israel's commonwealth, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:12 directly describes the pre-Christ condition of Gentiles. It shows that outside Israel, they were separated from the Messiah, from citizenship in God's commonwealth, from the promises, and from God Himself. Then verse 13 announces the change: those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les Feldick emphasizes that this describes the 'Jew only' era of God's dealings with Israel.
Ephesians 2:11 — Paul addresses Gentiles by the Jewish designation 'Uncircumcision,' setting the historical context.
Ephesians 2:12 — This is the key verse listing the status of Gentiles before Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 — It announces the change in status brought about by the blood of Christ.
Paul writes directly to Gentile believers in Ephesus and tells them to remember their former state. In Ephesians 2:11, he reminds them that they, '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' — a phrase that points to the way Jewish people distinguished between themselves and non-Jews. Then, in Ephesians 2:12, he makes the specific statement: '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 directly lists the status of Gentiles before Christ. The following verse announces the change: 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that Ephesians 2:11–13 is written to Gentile believers, reminding them of what they were before Christ. He explains that 'that time' in Ephesians 2:12 was when God was dealing only with His covenant people, the nation of Israel — a period when it was 'Jew only,' including Christ's earthly ministry. During that time, Gentiles were called 'uncircumcision' by the Jews and were treated as outsiders who had no right to Israel's covenants or commonwealth. They were aliens, strangers to the promises, having no hope, and without God in the world. Then, in verse 13, Paul shows the transition: now in Christ Jesus, those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les stresses that the basis for this change is the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross, not anything the Gentile could do.
In Ephesians 2:12, Paul says that before Christ the Gentiles were 'aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.' That means they were outside the nation of Israel, as non-citizens. Les Feldick illustrates this by saying a Gentile had no right or access to Israel's commonwealth or government. The covenants were made with Israel, and a Gentile could not claim them for himself.
Paul uses the term 'Uncircumcision' in Ephesians 2:11 because that is how Jewish people referred to Gentiles. Les says the Jew would refer to the Gentile as uncircumcised, and that this was even expressed in the snide phrase 'uncircumcised dogs.' The distinction was physical and religious: the circumcision made by hands in the flesh separated Israel from the nations.
Les Feldick explains that 'that time' refers to the period when God was dealing only with the nation of Israel on those covenant promises — when it was 'Jew only.' This included the time of Christ's earthly ministry. At that time, the Gentiles were without Christ and outside everything God was doing with Israel.
Ephesians 2:13 says, 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.' Les says this refers to the crucifixion. On the basis of the finished work of the cross, God now deals with Gentiles; they are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Paul's Gospel vs. Peter's: What You Must Believe to Be Saved
Now what does that mean? Oh, God's divine fingers have now come into our life, and He has put us together as a new creature and a new creation in Christ for what purpose? To bring glory to Him. We're not to live to self, we're to live to bring glory to His name. Now the world ridicules that, but you see, the world has only got, what, 70 years on average? That's their heaven. That's their heaven.
Reading of Ephesians 2:11-13
Les directly quotes the Ephesians 2 passage to show that before Christ, Gentiles were uncircumcised, without Christ, aliens, strangers to the promises, hopeless, and without God.
'That Time' Meaning Jew Only
Les explains that 'that time' in Ephesians 2:12 was when God was dealing only with the nation of Israel on covenant promises — not with Gentiles.
Uncircumcision and Covenants
Les shows that 'uncircumcision' was a Jewish way of referring to Gentiles, and that the Gentile forefathers were strangers to the covenants, without hope and without God.
Aliens With No Rights
Les uses the illustration of a non-citizen with no rights to explain that Gentiles were aliens from Israel's commonwealth and strangers to the covenants that belonged to Israel.
Paul Writing to Gentile Believers
Les notes that Paul is addressing Gentile believers in Ephesus and reminding them that they were called uncircumcision by the Jews.
Made Nigh by the Blood
Les connects Ephesians 2:13 to the crucifixion: those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Cross Basis for Gentiles
Les teaches that after the finished work of the cross, God deals with Gentiles on the basis of the blood — they are no longer far off.
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 reminds Gentile believers of their former identity as the 'Uncircumcision' in contrast to Israel's circumcision.
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 contains the core answer: Gentiles were without Christ, aliens, strangers, hopeless, and without God before Christ.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This verse announces the change in the Gentile's status: those far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
In the context of Ephesians 2, 'without Christ' means the Gentile believers' forefathers were outside of Christ and outside the promises God had made to Israel. Les says they had no knowledge of the God of Abraham and were steeped in paganism.
Yes. Ephesians 2:12 says Gentiles were 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' Les explicitly applies this to Gentile forefathers, saying they were in a situation of no hope without God in the world.
Ephesians 2:13 says they were made nigh 'by the blood of Christ.' Les says this refers to the crucifixion, and that on the basis of the finished work of the cross, God now deals with Gentiles — they are no longer far off.
Watch the Teaching: Paul's Gospel vs. Peter's: What You Must Believe to Be Saved