Exploring the Scripture

This letter never refers to the Ephesians nor details about a specific congregation in early manuscripts. It may have been a general letter, circulating from one congregation to another. Vocabulary, writing style, and sentence structure differ from Paul’s usual writing. Perhaps one of Paul’s followers created this letter using ideas and themes from Paul’s known letters, reinterpreted for the church’s continuing needs.

From ancient times, the Jews identified themselves as God’s chosen people, in a special covenant relationship with God. Over time, being God’s chosen people expanded into an elite attitude that flavored Jewish culture, laws, and traditions. Other nations were unclean.

Marriage with non-Jews was forbidden, and at times in their history, men who married Gentiles were ordered to cast off their wives and children, condemning them to certain death. Gentiles who wanted to become Jews had to go through the sacred ritual of tvilah, for restoration of spiritual purity. This rite was symbolic of dying to all their pagan ways.  

Paul’s mission to Gentiles was controversial because of the strict separation between Gentiles and Jews. Many Christian leaders in Jerusalem and Alexandria argued for Gentile converts to be circumcised before being baptized as Christian. Paul fought against the “Judaizers,” arguing with the apostles in Jerusalem.

Today’s passage recognizes the traditional division between Jews and Gentiles, but states Christ has overcome the separation. The Gentile Christians did not bear the mark of circumcision in their flesh, because that category of acceptance by God was now obsolete. They were aliens and strangers to the customs, laws, and traditions of Israel, but there are no strangers in Christ.  

Herod’s temple in Jerusalem included a dividing wall on the 35-acre Temple Mount. Signs posted along the lattice-work barrier proclaimed: No foreigner may enter within the fence and enclosure surrounding the sanctuary. Whoever is caught so doing will have only himself to blame for the death which inevitably follows.

Although Jews did not have Roman authority to kill with impunity, it was understood that Roman soldiers would turn a blind eye to whatever happened within the temple precincts. Therefore, the Gentiles stood far off from the inner courts and the sanctuary, the dwelling place of God. 

Christ, the barrier-breaker, demolished the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. ”[H]e is our peace” (v. 14), reconciles all disciples into one fellowship. Further, God is no longer separated from humankind by space, time, or human barriers (such as the veil that closed off the Presence of God in the inner sanctuary). Instead, God is fully accessible to each person, without an intermediary, just as a parent is present to all household members. Gentiles and Jews are equal citizens of God’s kingdom.

Ephesians presents Christ as the cornerstone of the household of God. Isaiah 28:16 says, “See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…” to bring justice, righteousness, and truth. The name of the cornerstone would be “One who trusts will not panic.” Jews understood the cornerstone to be the Messiah. In Ephesians, the cornerstone joins together all disciples to create a growing, expanding, organic temple in which God’s Spirit lives, the very heart of the New Jerusalem of Isaiah’s vision.

Project Zion Podcast

Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.

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Central Ideas

1. The Jews separated themselves from all other nationalities and ethnic groups as God’s chosen people.
2. Herod’s temple symbolized the division between Jews and Gentiles, with its dividing wall and dire warnings. The temple veil symbolized the barrier between God and humankind.
3. Jesus was the barrier-breaker, who reconciled Jew and Gentile, God and humankind.
4. Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation of a community of people who are united in justice, righteousness, and truth.

Questions to Consider

1. How is your nation divided and hostile to those who are different? How are they symbolized?
2. Who are the “chosen people” in modern society? In Christianity? In Community of Christ?
3. What is your congregation doing to help destroy the barriers that exist in your local community?
4. How are you and your congregation building a spiritual temple dedicated to justice, righteousness, and truth? What does it look like? How is it changing?