Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"That at that time you 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."
Text: Ephesians 2:12
THE STATE OF “THE GENTILES IN THE FLESH”
Paul did not mean to “rub it in” when he wrote these words. He was merely stating facts as they stood. The Gentiles must not take their salvation in Christ for granted at all. But if they were to remember their former estate, they would be able to appreciate the grace of God even more.
“AT THAT TIME”
Paul highlighted five things that the Gentiles in the flesh should always remember:-
1. “Without Christ”
This truth was painful but true. The state of being “without Christ” highlights the problem of being spiritually “dead” (Ephesians 2:1). The Gentiles were indeed without Christ.
2. “Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel”
The word “aliens” (from the word “apollotrioo”) speaks of people who are “estranged” or “alienated”. The word “commonwealth” (“politeia”) describes a sociopolitical entity. Effectively, the meaning of this phrase simply declares an obvious truth. The Gentiles were not citizens of the nation of Israel. They were “aliens”.
3. “Strangers from the covenant of promise”
This phrase is a natural follow-through of the previous statement. Because the Gentles were not of Israel, therefore they would also be considered “strangers from the covenant of promise”. (Paul was making a reference to the Covenant that God had given to Abraham as His promise).
4. “Having no hope”
This was a dismal statement to make. Nevertheless it was the truth. The “hope” that Paul speaks about is that which is to be found in Christ (Cf. Ephesians 1:12 “The Greek text reads “first hoped”. This is preferred to the NKJV “first trusted”.)
5. “Without God in the world”
The Gentiles may have worshipped many gods, but the fact was that they did not really know God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ at all. Thus, they were adrift in the world. Their estate was sad and distressful. They were “without God”.
NOTHING WRONG WITH REMEMBERING THESE FACTS
Paul did not harp on past sins. He was merely highlighting important facts that must not be forgotten. Remembering such details would stand the Gentiles in good stead. Two wonderful things could result:-
1. Eternal Gratitude
How grateful the heart would be to be delivered from such a state of affairs.
2. Abject Humility
How humble the heart should be when one ponders God’s grace of salvation.