Eph 2:14-18 | TNotes | STEP | 2:14 Christ himself has brought peace to us: Peace with God (2:16-17 ; Rom 5:1 , 10-11 , 18-21 ; Col 1:20-22 ) and between Jews and Gentiles (see Eph 2:15-16 ; 4:3 ). • the wall of hostility that separated us: Social and religious practices traditionally divided Jews from Gentiles. A low wall around the Temple in Jerusalem marked the boundary beyond which Gentiles were not allowed to step. It symbolized the distinction Jews drew between themselves and Gentiles.

2:14 ^a Christ himself has brought peace to us: Peace with God (2:16-17 ^b; Rom 5:1 ^c, 10-11 ^d, 18-21 ^e; Col 1:20-22 ^f) and between Jews and Gentiles (see Eph 2:15-16 ^g; 4:3 ^h).

• the wall of hostility that separated us: Social and religious practices traditionally divided Jews from Gentiles. A low wall around the Temple in Jerusalem marked the boundary beyond which Gentiles were not allowed to step. It symbolized the distinction Jews drew between themselves and Gentiles.
2:15 ⁱ ending the system of law: See Rom 10:4 ^j; Col 2:14 ^k; cp. Rom 6:14 ^l; 7:4-6 ^m.

• The church is one new people, a community where love and acceptance are prized and ethnic distinctions are no longer a source of division (see Rom 15:7-12 ⁿ; Gal 3:28 ^o; cp. John 10:16 ^p).
2:16 ^q Christ’s death on the cross reconciles humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other.
2:17 ^r far away ... near: This verse possibly alludes to Isa 57:19 ^s.

• The Greek text lacks the words Gentiles and Jews, but they are implied (see Eph 2:13 ^t; see also study note on 1:12-13).
2:18 ^u Because of Christ’s sacrifice for sins, both Jewish and Gentile believers receive the Holy Spirit, which makes it possible for them to approach God openly (see 3:12 ^v; cp. Acts 10:34-37 ^w, 44-48 ^x; 1 Pet 3:18 ^y).