Paul pointed out in verses 11-12 that there once was a sizable roadblock for Gentiles to find salvation. He even said at one time they were separated from God’s Messiah, having no hope as they were living without God. That all changed when Jesus died for all people (see John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9). Paul continues to clarify that all of the work required for salvation as well as stop the Spiritual alienation has all been completed by Jesus.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
In the past, access to God was difficult requiring cleaning rituals (see Numbers chapter 19 for example), priestly intervention (see Leviticus chapter 9), dietary considerations (see Leviticus chapter 11), appropriate sacrifices (see Leviticus chapters 1-7), a proper facility and furnishings (see Exodus chapters 36-40), etc., all while following strict procedural protocols. Here Paul says Jesus alone is our peace, He is the sole source, He did something that rules, rituals, ceremonies, regulations, sacrifices or even what the Law could not do. He brought unity and broke down the wall between the Jew and the Gentile and between God and man.
The phrase, “broken down in His flesh” refers to the suffering that Jesus went through before and during His crucifixion. The phrase, “dividing wall” was undoubtedly a reference to the wall that separated the outer court from the inner courts of the Temple. Secular history states and archaeology confirms that this barrier had signs that warned that if any non-Jew proceeded beyond the wall, it would be punishable by death. It was believed that the presence of a non-Jew within the inner court boundary could defile the Temple. Many Jews were very adamant in keeping strangers and non-Jews from entering the inner courts of the Temple. This often created tension between the two groups which often provoked hostility (read Acts 21:27-32).
In the Book of Matthew, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17, ESV) and now Paul says that Jesus, “abolished the law of commandments expressed in ordinances,” one may ask, did He or did He not abolish the Law? In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said that He would not remove or change the requirements of the Law. Now in verse 15, Paul is saying that Jesus, as a result of fulfilling the Law (already done, completed) this allows us to be saved (grace) thus abolishing the condemning influence of the Law (mercy) or in other words, Jesus by keeping the Law, fulfilled the requirements of the Law on our behalf.
Paul said that Jesus, “might create in Himself one new man in place of the two,” this again is a reference to the Jews and Gentiles being brought together as believers in Jesus Christ (see Colossians 3:11; Romans 10:12-13) under one name called Christians. Whatever we were prior to accepting Jesus would be part of our former self. Paul used the Greek word kainos (new), referring to something completely different. As a “new man” we are completely different than what we were. God brought us together so that we can work together, as one.
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
The Greek word translated here as ‘reconcile’ generally implies creating a relationship that previously never existed, here it refers to the creation of a relationship between two or more people or groups (read Romans 5:6-11). We are reconciled to God restoring us to what He originally had in mind for us. We were once slaves to sin (read Romans 6:16-23) but now we have been given eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Jesus came for a number of reasons including: Call sinners to repent (Mark 2:17); Seek the lost (Luke 19:10); Witness to the truth (John 18:37); Fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17); Judge the world (John 9:39); Teach about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:38) and the list goes on. However the most important reason for His first coming was to make it possible for us to be free from sin. He came as a suffering servant to live a sinless life, suffer, die and rise again so that we can be saved. The people who were far off were the Gentiles and those that were near are the Jews.
In the Old Testament, access to God was only available through a priest (see Hebrews 9:1-10, 25). We often take our access to God for granted and rarely think just how incredible that privilege really is. Since the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts He knows us intimately and can intercede on our behalf (read Romans 8:15-17, 26-28).
\\19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
When we hear words like household, foundation, cornerstone and structure we recognize that they are all essentially construction terms or at least something to do with a building, so what ‘building’ could Paul be referring to? With Jesus as our cornerstone (the term refers to the block of stone that sets the standard level and direction for all other materials used in a building) our lives are in the process of being built on the foundation of God’s teaching as we are His temple (read 1 Corinthians 3:16-17), which makes us the buildings or dwelling places Paul is referring to. Jesus provides the proper alignment for everything in our lives, He truly is our cornerstone.
We are fellow citizens with other believers and members of the household of God that was built on the teachings of the apostles (New Testament) and prophets (Old Testament), all pointing to Jesus as the Christ who brings us together in unity as holy temples for God to dwell. The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to provide guidance, understanding, access to God and strength (read Romans 8:1-11).