Before the coming of 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 2:11-12 describes this status in plain language. Les Feldick explains that this was the time when God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, including Christ's earthly ministry. The change came when those who were far off were made near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-12 — This passage explicitly states the prior Gentile condition, saying they were without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God.
The Bible's answer comes directly in Ephesians 2:11-12. Paul calls the readers to remember that they were 'in time past Gentiles in the flesh,' called 'Uncircumcision' by the Jews. Then he describes their former standing: '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.' Verse 13 immediately gives the reversal: 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.'
Les Feldick repeatedly points to Ephesians 2:11-12 to show that this was the condition of Gentile forefathers. He says that while God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, the circumcision had no time for Gentiles in spiritual things. This included Christ's earthly ministry. The result was that Gentiles were referred to as uncircumcised, outside the citizenship of Israel, strangers to the covenant promises, without hope, and without God. Les adds that this did not mean they had no future hope, because what was soon to take place was death, burial, and resurrection. He also notes that God did not reveal this until His own timing, and as late as seven years after Pentecost, at the stoning of Stephen, scattered Jewish believers were still preaching the Word to Jews only. Then, in Christ Jesus, those who were far off were made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Paul writes to Gentile believers: you who were 'in time past Gentiles in the flesh' were called Uncircumcision by the Jews. '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.' Les Feldick applies this to the Gentile forefathers and says that while God was dealing with the nation Israel, the circumcision had no time for Gentiles in spiritual things.
Les makes clear that this status continued into Christ's earthly ministry. He says the condition described by Paul covered the time when God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, including Christ's earthly ministry. He also points to Acts 11:19 to show that even seven years after Pentecost, at the stoning of Stephen, scattered Jewish believers preached the Word to Jews only.
Ephesians 2:12 does say 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' Les then comments, 'But they weren't without hope, because what was soon to take place is death, and burial, and resurrection.' In other words, this was the present lot of Gentile forefathers, but God's redemptive plan was already in motion.
Paul makes the change clear in Ephesians 2:13: 'But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.' Les says the Gentile is no longer in that former position; those who were at one time far off—outside the covenants, outside the citizenship of Israel, without hope, without God—are now made nigh by the blood of Christ. He also says this did not happen until God, in His own timing, revealed it.
Les anticipates the objection that Ephesians 2:12 sounds unfair. He says: 'We can never accuse God of not being fair. He's always been fair. He's always just. He's always righteous.' The status was the result of God's dealings with Israel on the covenant basis, and Christ's blood would bring the far-off Gentile near.
Jewish Believers Preached to Jews Only
Les uses the events after Stephen's stoning to show that even seven years after Pentecost, the scattered Jewish believers were still preaching the Word to Jews only.
Ephesians 2: Gentile Condition
Les teaches that while God was dealing with His covenant people, including Christ's earthly ministry, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers to the promises, without hope, and without God.
Gentiles and the Circumcision
Les says that when God was dealing with the circumcision, Gentiles were left out of the covenant promises, but they were not without hope because the death, burial, and resurrection were soon to take place.
The Lot of Gentile Forefathers
Les repeats Ephesians 2:12 to show that this was the plain lot of our Gentile forefathers before the flip side of the gospel was revealed.
Strangers and Outside
Les reminds us that we Gentiles were strangers from the covenants of promise and outside, having no hope and without God, before pointing to the next verse where there is no difference.
Explanation of Ephesians 2:11-12
Les walks through the Ephesians 2 passage, emphasizing that Gentiles were called uncircumcision by Israel and were strangers to the covenants of promise, a situation of no hope and without God.
Made Nigh by Christ's Blood
Les says the Gentile is no longer in the former position; those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, and God revealed this in His own timing.
God's Fairness
Les states that when God was still dealing with Israel on the covenant basis, Gentiles had no hope and were without God, but God was always fair, just, and righteous.
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;
This verse establishes which people Paul is addressing and how Jews referred to them as uncircumcision.
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 biblical answer: it describes the Gentile status 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 provides the contrast and the change that came through Christ's sacrificial death.
Yes. Paul says that at that time 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 2:12). Les Feldick explains this was the period when God was dealing with the Jewish people.
Les Feldick addresses this by saying people may get shaken up by these verses, but God has always been fair, just, and righteous. The Gentile position was part of God's dealings with Israel, and then Christ's blood brought the far-off Gentiles near.
Les points to the events after Stephen's stoning, seven years after Pentecost, when scattered Jewish believers were preaching the Word to Jews only. The full revelation of the Gentiles being made nigh by Christ's blood had not yet been revealed.
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