14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Vs. 14 - “ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, ” -
“He... is our peace” - There are several ramifications of being in God's peace because of what Christ has done for us:
(1) All of the universe was put on peaceful basis with God;
(2) We have been put at peace with God, being no longer enemies (Col 1:19-22);
(3) Jesus and Gentiles have been brought to a peaceful co-existence in Christ. There is no other way to God (Acts 4:!2; John 14:6; Col 3:10-11).
“Made both groups into one” - (Eph 2:11-13; Col 2:13) Paul begins to deal with what is obviously a major problem at Ephesus. In fact, Eph 2:11-3:21 deals with the problem, namely: That Jewish Christians in Ephesus were separating themselves from their Gentile brethren. Paul writes that no matter whether we be Jews or Gentiles we all have the same position in Christ. The unity of the believers! With this concept in mind (i.e., unity of believers in Christ) the next verses - through 3:21 - are clarified.
“Broke down the barrier” - Note there were two walls: (1) Between man and God; (2) between Jew and Gentile. Jews hated the Gentiles, and I’m pretty sure the Gentiles return the feelings (probably because of the Jews’ attitude, and more likely goaded on by Satan’s hatred of Jesus). The Jews are a proud people, and it chafed to be conquered and abused by the likes of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans.
Vs. 15 - “ by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, ” -
“By abolishing... the enmity” - This phrase explains how Christ removed the barrier. “Enmity” means the reason for opposition, or hatred. Christ’s physical sacrifice was the completion, fulfillment of the Law. The hatred between the Jew and Gentile was not caused by the Law, but it was part of the friction.
An imagined dialogue:
Jews, “We have the only way to God.”
Gentiles: “So?”
Jews: “If you want to get to God, you’ve got to go through us!”
Gentiles: “Surely, there must be another.”
Jews: “No way, we’ve got it. If you want to get to God, you’ve got to go through us!”
Gentiles: “Hey! Don’t get snotty!”
Jews: “Snotty! Listen, we’ve got...”
Gentiles: “You can take your law...”
And so, in the normal course of events, the Jews mocked and ridiculed the Gentiles because of their “despicable condition”. The Gentiles got mad at the Jews for being so haughty, so mad that many would in no way want to seek God.
There is a parallel here: Christians must not treat with disdain those who don't know Christ, nor pity them. (People do not want to be pitied, especially if they think everything is okay with themselves. They also don't want to be pitied if they know they are in bad straights.) That is why “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” (See note 1) is such a powerful statement. It helps to move people from fear and anger to being welcomed and loved.
“Which is the Law... ordinances” - Again, the Law was not the problem, but it appears to be so. The Law does not cause people to sin, but points out our sin. (See: Rom 3:21-22, 7:7) Christ did away with that method of knowing God (John 14:6). He did away with the Law (Acts 4:12).
“That in Himself... thus establishing peace” - See Col 3:10-11; John 17:21. Now, there are no privileged, except those in Christ, and those people did nothing to earn that privilege. (The TV series, “Downton Abbey”, provides a clear delineation between the “titled” family and all others. A baby born in the to title has all the rights and privileges; the staff working for the titled family do not. Apparently you cannot even marry into a titled family and thereby gain the title.
Since there is no reason to boast, except in Christ, and since our access to God is in Christ (He is our life), both Jew and Gentile now have the same standing. I cannot brag about having a “better position”, etc. Christ is the establishing of peace - there is no distinction between us (See: Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 12:13).
Vs. 16 - “and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.“ -
“And might reconcile them both...” - (a continuation from verse 15) - It is in Himself that both sides are brought together in peace.
“Reconcile” - to turn hatred to friendship; to bring two groups at loggerheads to a place of common agreement; to bring an end tomthe hostility between them. Christ turns the enmity between Jew and Gentile to friendship
“In one body to God” - I think there are couple of possible views here: (1) Both Jews and Gentiles have now been put on friendly terms with God in Christ’s body. (2) Now having no stance of their own, Jews and Gentiles have been put on friendly terms with each other in Christ’s sacrifice.
“Through the cross” - See: Col 1:20, 2:14. Any hatred between us and others must end at the cross. Admittedly, this message was in particular to the problem generated by Jewish and Gentile Christians. This deep-seated, long-standing hatred had to be overcome. But the message applies to you and me. Any enmity between you and me cannot, must not be nurtured, indeed should not exist! Is there any discord, no matter how small, between me and another? I must confess that sin, seek forgiveness, and make restitution. Any grudge, etc., means I am harboring, or pridefully demanding a right that does not exist. Is there a “special understanding”, a way to God? No! Paul says there is only “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).
***Note 1: Law 1 of “Four Spiritual Laws”.
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