Yes — in the Old Testament era, Gentiles were outsiders because God was dealing exclusively with Israel, leaving Gentiles without Christ, without the covenants, without hope, and without God in the world.
Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:12 spells out the Gentile condition. Les Feldick explains that this was because God was dealing with His covenant people Israel from Abraham until well into Acts. The separation was not permanent; Christ's death, burial, and resurrection made the change.
Ephesians 2:12 — Paul explicitly states the Gentile condition: without Christ, alienated from Israel, strangers to the covenants, having no hope, and without God in the world.
Paul writes to Gentile believers about 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” (Ephesians 2:11-12, KJV). Romans 1:20 further shows that despite this outsider status, God still held them responsible: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
Les teaches that the reason Gentiles were outsiders is simply that God was dealing with His covenant people Israel, and with Israel alone, until well into the Book of Acts. Everything God was doing for the Jew did not apply to the Gentile because the Gentile was not a citizen of Israel. Les emphasizes that the covenants were Israel's—first given to Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob—so Gentiles had no part in those covenant promises. He also notes that Jewish people of that time referred to Gentiles as the uncircumcision and often as uncircumcised dogs. This reflected how completely separated the Gentile was from Israel's spiritual privileges. That is why Paul could describe Gentiles as without Christ, aliens from Israel's commonwealth, strangers to the covenants, having no hope, and without God in the world. Les adds that God still held Gentiles responsible because every human being has in his breast the knowledge that there is a Creator God. The change for Gentiles, Les points out, was soon to come through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Les likens a commonwealth to a nation or entity. A person who is not a citizen is an alien and can be subject to deportation. Gentiles were not citizens of Israel and had no right or access to Israel's government or spiritual privileges.
Les says the covenants belonged to the Jew. They were first given to Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob. Because Gentiles were not citizens of Israel, they had no part in those covenant promises. Everything God was doing for the Jew did not apply to them.
According to Paul, Gentiles were 'without Christ' and 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' Les says this was the lot of the Gentile because God was dealing with those people He had made different.
Yes. Les teaches that God still held Gentiles responsible because every human being has within his breast the knowledge that there is a Creator God. Even though they were aliens and strangers, they were without excuse.
Les points to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the coming change. After God's dealing with Israel, the condition changed; there was no longer a difference between Jew and Gentile.
Hidden Truths in Scripture
Les notes that the church and related truths were kept secret in the Old Testament, which fits the pattern of why the Gentile condition was not revealed clearly until Paul.
Gentile Condition Defined
Les teaches that while God was dealing with His covenant people, the Jew, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from Israel's commonwealth, strangers to the covenants, having no hope, and without God.
Covenants Belonged to Israel
Les explains that the covenants were given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so Gentiles had no part; the things God did for the Jew did not apply to Gentiles.
Uncircumcised Dogs
Les points out that Jewish people commonly called Gentiles 'uncircumcised dogs' and grounded the outsider status in Ephesians 2:12.
No Rights in the Commonwealth
Les uses the picture of an alien and a commonwealth to show that Gentiles had no right or access to Israel's government or privileges.
The Lot of the Gentile
Les describes the Gentile's lot as 'having no hope and without God' because God was dealing with Israel, then points to the change that came next.
Hope Through Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Les emphasizes that the Gentile's hope would come through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, which was soon to take place.
Gentiles Still Accountable
Les teaches that despite being outsiders, Gentiles were still responsible because every human being has the knowledge that there is a Creator God.
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 label as the Uncircumcision, setting up the description of their outsider status.
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 key verse that directly states why and how Gentiles were outsiders before Christ.
Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
This verse supports the point that even though Gentiles were outside Israel, they were still held responsible before God.
Paul says that at that time they were 'having no hope, and without God in the world.' Les says that was the lot of the Gentile. However, they were not without excuse, because every human being can know there is a Creator; and hope was soon to come through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Israel had the covenants. According to Les, they were first given to Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob. Gentiles were strangers to those covenants because they were outside Israel's commonwealth.
During that time, Jewish people commonly referred to Gentiles as the uncircumcision and would often add the expression 'uncircumcised dogs.' It reflected the separation between Israel and the Gentile nations.
Les teaches that from the call of Abraham well into the Book of Acts, God dealt primarily with His covenant people Israel. Everything God did for the Jew did not apply to Gentiles because they were not citizens of Israel and had no part in the covenant promises.
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