Ephesians 2:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

NIV: For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

NASB: For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

CSB: For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

NLT: For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

KJV: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

NKJV: For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Paul continues to describe how a saving faith in Christ changes our spiritual status. Jesus does not simply give peace; He is peace. It is because of who He is and what He has done on the cross, through the outpouring of His blood (Ephesians 2:13) that we can be at peace with God (Romans 5:1). Through Jesus, both Paul and his readers, Jews and Gentiles, were unified. All people can now become family: equals through the salvation provided in Jesus Christ.

In addition, Paul makes an interesting reference to removing a "dividing wall of hostility." Much debate surrounds the meaning of this phrase. Some have suggested a connection with the wall of the Jewish temple. Others see a reference to the tearing of the temple veil at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:51). However, Paul does not appear to have a physical wall in mind, but rather a personal barrier which previously existed between Jews and Gentiles. This seems to fit best with the context of the passage, which is focused on Gentiles becoming part of the family of God. The use of the wall metaphor is likely a simple reference to the idea of a city wall, which divided those who lived in the city (the citizens) from those outside (the foreigners).

Ephesians 2:11–22 explains how those who are saved, by grace through faith in Christ, have become part of a single family. Prior to the coming of Jesus, the Jewish people considered Gentiles to be unclean and inferior. Here, Paul explains how the gospel extends hope, promise, and a relationship with God to Jews and Gentiles alike. Most of the Ephesian church would have been Gentiles, and Paul frequently found himself countering anti-Gentile sentiment among various churches.

Paul repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is accomplished on the basis of grace, through faith. Good works, human effort, and our best intentions will never be enough to earn salvation. Every person is marked with sin, both deliberate and accidental, and for this reason we deserve to be separated from God. Only through His mercy and grace can we be saved, leaving no room for bragging. This also means that all who are saved, Jew and Gentile alike, are part of the same spiritual family. There is no cause for hostility between believers; we are all unworthy, and all saved by the same kindness of God.

The first three chapters of Ephesians focus on doctrinal issues; the last three show how those principles should be applied in real life. Chapter 2 makes a pair of related points about our status as saved believers. First, salvation is entirely dependent on the grace of God, not human efforts. Second, this means all Christians are part of the same family, Jew and Gentile alike. This bridges chapter 1's explanation of God's awesome glory to chapter 3's discussion of God bringing His long-awaited plan into action.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.