Ephesians 2:11-22
Clarification… In today’s reading, in verses 11 to 13 Paul is speaking in the second person (you) directly to the Ephesians, as Gentiles. Then in the rest of the reading he switches (mostly) to the first person and is writing about both the Gentiles and the Jews. In particular, in using the phrases “us both” (vv. 14, 16) and “we both” (v. 18), the “both” refers to Gentiles and Jews. His “we both” usage is particularly powerful (to me), in that Paul identifies himself dramatically with the Circumcision Jews.
I’ve always enjoyed verse 12: …remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, especially his ending, …having no hope and without God in the world. Paul paints a very bleak picture of the Gentiles’ situation in their prior life! It’s also a picture of our own prior lives and, unfortunately, the current lives of so many of our family and friends. No hope. Without God. Sad…
…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone… (v. 20) Another verse personal to me… In my early born-again years I was a concrete contractor, building poured-wall basements in Champaign, Illinois. My partner and I had named our firm “Cornerstone Construction”, citing Psalm 118:22 specifically, with other citations as appropriate.
Slava Bohu!
Love the name of your company!
I was struck by how much this passage speaks about spiritual pride. How we can be blind to our own faults as Christians, in our particular music, convictions, etc. Yet magnify the faults of other believers, “they don’t have the right” … whatever.
Nice name for a construction company…! 🙂