Yes, Gentiles were outside the covenants of promise because they were not citizens of Israel.
While God dealt with Israel, the covenants of promise were given to the Jews, not to Gentiles. Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to those covenants, having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). They were not part of the nation with whom God made these promises.
Ephesians 2:12 — This verse directly states that Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise.
In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul reminds the Gentile believers of their former state: "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; 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." These verses reveal that before Christ, Gentiles were separated from the commonwealth of Israel and excluded from the covenants of promise. This separation was tied to their status as non-Israelites, as they were not part of the nation to whom the covenants were given.
Les Feldick teaches that while God was dealing with the nation of Israel, the covenants of promise were exclusively for the Jews. Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, meaning they were foreigners with no rights or access to the blessings of God's covenant people. This condition persisted from Abraham until the Apostle Paul, when Paul was sent to the Gentiles. Les emphasizes that Ephesians 2:11-12 describes this state: 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." He further clarifies that Jesus' earthly ministry was directed to Israel, not to Gentiles, because Jesus had yet to die, be buried, and rise from the dead, which would open salvation to all.
The commonwealth of Israel refers to the nation of Israel as a political and spiritual entity. Les Feldick explains that an alien is someone who is not a citizen of that commonwealth, and therefore has no rights to its blessings. Gentiles were aliens because they were not part of Israel, and thus they were outside the covenants God made with Israel.
This separation existed from Genesis 12, when God began dealing with Abraham, until Acts chapter 9, when Saul was called and later sent to the Gentiles. During this period, including Christ's earthly ministry, God was dealing with Israel under the Law, and Gentiles were outside the covenant promises.
Les Feldick teaches that the lot of the Gentiles before Christ was to be "without hope" and "without God in this world." This was because God was dealing with Israel alone, and the Gentiles had no part in the covenants or the promises. The world was steeped in paganism, with temples to gods and goddesses, rather than knowledge of the one true God.
God's Dealings with Israel
Les explains that God dealt with Israel for a long period until He saved Paul and sent him to the Gentiles, indicating the change in dispensations.
Gentiles' Status
Les explicitly states that during God's dealings with the Jew, 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.
Aliens and Strangers
Les clarifies that Gentiles had no rights from Israel, using the analogy of an alien in a government, and reads Ephesians 2:12 to show that they were strangers to the covenants.
God's Fairness
Les assures that God has always been fair, just, and righteous, even when Gentiles were excluded from the covenants.
The Uncircumcision
Les explains that the Jews called Gentiles 'uncircumcised dogs,' and that being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel meant they could not partake of the covenant promises.
Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works
And we were strangers, that is, we Gentiles, strangers from the covenants of promise. We were outside. And what was the lot of the Gentile? Having no hope, see, and without God in the world. Not a very pretty picture, is it? That's for the lot of the Gentile, because God was dealing with those people that He had made different.
The Lot of the Greeks
Les reinforces that at that time Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, but they were not without hope because of the upcoming death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
The Time of the Gentiles
Les states that from Genesis 12 to Acts 9, the Gentile was outside the covenant promises, and Jesus could not take the Greeks because He had to die, be buried, and rise from the dead.
Ephesians 2:11-12: 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; 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 key passage that describes the Gentiles' separation from Israel and the covenants.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This verse contrasts the former state with the new state in Christ, showing the change.
Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel means that Gentiles were foreigners, not citizens of Israel, and therefore had no rights to the blessings and privileges of the nation of Israel. Les Feldick explains that an alien is someone who is not a citizen and has no claim to what belongs to that citizenship.
Gentiles were considered outside the covenants of promise from Genesis 12, when God began dealing with Abraham, until Acts chapter 9, when Paul was called and later sent to the Gentiles. During this time, God was dealing with Israel under the Law, and the covenants were for the Jews only.
Yes, according to Ephesians 2:12, they were 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' Les Feldick explains that this was the lot of the Gentiles, but they were not without hope eternally because Christ would come to die, be buried, and rise again, opening the way for all to be saved.
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