According to Paul, Gentiles before Christ were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Paul describes this status in Ephesians 2:12, when God was dealing with His covenant people Israel. As Gentiles, they were outside the covenants and citizenship of Israel, left without the Messiah and without God.
Ephesians 2:12 — Paul directly states the pre-Christ status of Gentiles: without Christ, aliens, strangers, hopeless, and without God.
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:11-12 that Gentiles were formerly called the Uncircumcision by Jews. At that time, while God was dealing with Israel, they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Les emphasizes that Paul's description in Ephesians 2:12 applies to the time when God was dealing exclusively with His covenant people, the Jews — including Christ's earthly ministry. Gentiles had no rights or access to Israel's spiritual blessings; they were aliens, not citizens, and therefore could not partake of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Les also points out that the covenants were for Israel alone, and Gentiles were strangers to them. They were without hope and without God, which explains their pagan condition. But Les stresses Paul's "flip side" — that things changed with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, introducing the age of grace.
Les explains that a commonwealth is a nation or entity, and someone who is not a citizen is an alien. Just as an alien has no right to a government's benefits, Gentiles had no rights from Israel. They were not citizens of Israel's commonwealth, so what God was doing for Israel did not apply to them (Ephesians 2:12).
Les teaches that the covenants of promise were given to Israel — first to Abraham, then repeated to Isaac and Jacob. Gentiles were strangers to those covenants; they had no part in them. Israel had the covenants, but a Gentile could not say, "That's for me."
Les explains that Paul says Gentiles were without God in the world, which is why they were pagan. The knowledge of the one true God was associated with Israel, the nation God promised to raise up through Abram. Since Gentiles were outside Israel, they were left in that state outside the covenant promises. But this wasn't unfair; God was always just and righteous, and He had a plan to bring them in.
Yes. After describing the hopeless state of Gentiles, Paul says "But now" — a flip side. Les emphasizes that with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, things changed. The age of grace came in, and Gentiles could now be brought near. This is the turning point after which Paul writes to Gentiles about their new status in Christ.
Paul Comes Late in Progressive Revelation
Les explains that Paul arrives late in progressive revelation, after the covenants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and after the law and prophets — showing Gentiles were outside these Jewish dealings.
Gentiles Referred to as Uncircumcised
Les quotes Ephesians 2:12 directly, showing that while God dealt with the Jews, including Christ's earthly ministry, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens, strangers, hopeless, and without God.
Gentiles Left Out of Covenant Promises
Les explains that while God dealt with the circumcision, Gentiles had no part in spiritual things, being aliens and strangers to the covenants, but they weren't without hope because Christ's death, burial, and resurrection would change everything.
Gentiles Had No Rights from Israel
Using the analogy of an alien with no government rights, Les teaches that Gentiles had no rights from Israel and were strangers to the covenants, which belonged only to the Jew.
Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel
Les shows that before the age of grace, while God dealt with Israel, Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth, unable to partake of covenant promises.
God Left Gentiles Outside During Israel's Dealings
Les explains that while God dealt with Israel, He left Gentiles outside the covenant promises, without Christ and without God, but things changed — "But now."
Gentiles Strangers to Covenants
Les confirms that back when God dealt with Israel on the covenant basis, Gentiles were aliens, strangers to the covenants, without hope and without God, and that this was fair and righteous.
Gentile Forefathers' Lot Before Christ
Les restates that Paul was describing the lot of our Gentile forefathers — without Christ, aliens, strangers, hopeless, without God — then points to the 'flip side' in the next verse.
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 foundational verse Paul uses to describe the exact status of Gentiles before Christ.
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 that they were formerly called the Uncircumcision by the Jews.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Paul contrasts the former hopeless state with the new position Gentiles have in Christ.
Paul said they 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 2:12). Les Feldick points out this was their status while God was dealing with the covenant people Israel.
Because they were outside the covenants of promise that God made with Israel. As Les Feldick explains, the covenants belonged to the Jews — first given to Abraham and then repeated to Isaac and Jacob — and Gentiles were strangers to them.
Les Feldick insists that God was always fair, just, and righteous. While He was dealing with Israel, Gentiles were left outside the covenant promises, but God had a plan in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to bring them in, which Paul announces with 'But now.'
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