There is no such thing as a “self-made” man or woman

Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:1

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 1 at Ephesians 2:1: It is important to remember that the chapter and verse divisions were added to the Bible for reference purposes; they do not necessarily designate a change of thought. In this verse, Paul was continuing his thoughts about Christ being raised from the dead and being given all dominion and power (Ephesians 1:19-23). He was saying that we have been raised from the dead, too, and share in all of Christ’s victory and authority.
Note 2 at Ephesians 2:1: In the King James Version, the phrase “hath he quickened” is in italics, indicating this phrase is not found in the original manuscripts. The phrase “hath quickened us,” however, is found in Ephesians 2:5 and makes this verse in total agreement with the context.
Note 3 at Ephesians 2:1: We see in this verse a description of all of us in the past having been “dead in trespasses and sins.” When people are dead, they lose communication with those who are alive. There is a separation. Just as there is separation of the spirit from the body in physical death (James 2:26), so a separation occurred between God and man in spiritual death. Man was no longer able to fellowship with God. There was a loss of spiritual life (Ephesians 4:18) and communion with God.
This death (separation) took place in the spirit and resulted in death being passed on to the soul and physical body. The “dead” human spirit of a lost person still functions; it just functions independently of God. As Paul explained in Ephesians 2:3, the lost human spirit actually became united to Satan so that man was “by nature the children of wrath.”
God told Adam and Eve that in the day they ate of the forbidden fruit, they would surely die. They didn’t die physically that day, but they died spiritually. Their spiritual death resulted in emotional misery all of their days and, eventually, physical death centuries later (Genesis 5:5). So, death started in the spirit and eventually manifested itself in the physical. Likewise, the new life takes place in the spirit and eventually manifests itself in the physical, proportional to how much believers renew their minds (see note 9 at Romans 12:2).

Ephesians 2:2

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 4 at Ephesians 2:2: As a result of spiritual death, mankind began to walk opposite of the ways that God had intended. It didn’t happen all at once; it was a step-by-step departure. But it has been absolute and all-inclusive. Dead people help themselves. They must have a Savior.
The Contemporary English Version translates this verse as, “You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God.” The Simple English Bible says, “That evil spirit...is now working in those who disobey God.” Today’s English Version says, “Actually all of us were like them [the world]...we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God’s anger.”
Note 5 at Ephesians 2:2: The American Heritage Dictionary defines “course” as “a mode of action or behavior.” All of us can relate to walking “according to the course of this world.” We all were headed down the same path, bound by habits and desires that we could not break on our own. It was our nature to live in sin (Ephesians 2:3). In the same way that this bondage to sin was universal, our resurrection with Christ (Ephesians 2:1) and victory over sin is universal for all who believe (Ephesians 1:19). It is a great mistake to identify with our old sin nature and not identify with our new righteous nature.
Note 6 at Ephesians 2:2: Many sinners think that they are making their own decisions, but that is not so. This verse and many others reveal that Satan is the one controlling the unsaved. Not all demonic activity is as obvious as it is in those who are demon possessed. However, those who are given to pride and selfishness are being controlled by Satan too.
Satan seeks to turn people from God. He doesn’t have to turn them all the way to worshiping him. If they are living for themselves, that’s enough to damn them to hell. Those who are not born again (see note 2 at John 3:3) are deceived and controlled by “the prince of the power of the air.” There is literally a spirit (the spirit of Satan) working in them.
In praying for the lost, we need to remember this truth and bind (Matthew 18:18-19) “the prince of the power of the air” that is working in the lost. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ...should shine unto them.”
Note 7 at Ephesians 2:2: Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines “APEITHEIA,” the Greek word that was translated “disobedience” here, as “literally, ‘the condition of being unpersuadable’...denotes ‘obstinacy, obstinate rejection of the will of God’; hence, ‘disobedience.’” This word was also translated “unbelief.” Therefore, this is not denoting anyone who ever disobeys. It is specifying the unbelievers–those who have not put their faith in Christ for salvation. Those who are not born again (see note 2 at John 3:3) have the spirit of Satan working in them (see note 6 at this verse).

Ephesians 2:3

Note on Ephesians 2:3

This is the only time in the N.T. that the Greek word “THELEMA” was translated “desires.” It was translated “pleasure” once (Revelation 4:11), and all sixty-two other times it was translated “will.” So this verse is saying we used to fulfill the will of the flesh. That is describing our servitude to the flesh like a slave relationship. We were slaves to sin, or the desires of our flesh. Those who don’t know the liberating power of Jesus are all slaves to sin (Romans 6:16-17 and 2 Peter 2:19).
The Greek word “DIANOIA” was translated “mind” in this verse. “DIANOIA” differs from just thought in that it means “deep thought” (Strong’s Concordance). This same word was translated “imagination” in Luke 1:51. Pornography would be to sexual sin what hope is to faith. See my notes at Romans 8:24; Ephesians 1:18, and 4:18.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 8 at Ephesians 2:3: In Scripture, the word “conversation” means more than just the words we speak. The Greek word from which “conversation” was translated is “ANASTREPHO,” and it means “‘to conduct oneself,’ indicating one’s manner of life and character” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
Note 9 at Ephesians 2:3: The American Heritage Dictionary defines “nature” as “the essential characteristics and qualities of a person or thing.” Here, Paul was saying that before salvation, all of us have a natural disposition to sin. It is not our individual acts of sin that make us sinners. It is our sin nature that makes us commit individual acts of sin (see note 6 at Romans 5:19). Therefore, salvation is not a matter of stopping sin. We are powerless to do that completely. Even if we had the ability never to commit a sin again, that still wouldn’t change our nature. That’s why we must be born again (see note 2 at John 3:3).

Ephesians 2:4

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 10 at Ephesians 2:4: Ephesians 2:3 describes the hopeless condition of the entire world, but thanks be to God that Paul didn’t stop there. He said in this verse, “But God.” Without God, every person and every situation is hopeless. “But God” has intervened, and now there is an answer to every problem through Christ. Regardless of how bad the report is in the natural, we need to remember “But God.”
Note 11 at Ephesians 2:4: This verse reveals God’s motive for providing salvation for us. God wasn’t motivated to save us through pity or even a sense of obligation as our Creator. He was motivated solely by love. God loves us. Therefore, accepting salvation is accepting God’s love. Anyone who prays only to escape hell and doesn’t receive God’s love is missing the whole point of salvation (see note 94 at John 17:3).

Ephesians 2:5

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 12 at Ephesians 2:5: This is an amazing, unconditional act of love performed by God in Christ. This didn’t happen after we had straightened up our lives, but while we were dead in sins, we were raised in Christ. The following is a literal paraphrase based upon Greek and English meanings of Ephesians 2:4-5:
”Even when we were spiritually dead because of our sins, God’s forbearance was working on our behalf. He was tolerant, patient and kind towards us. God abounded in excessive proportion with good will, compassion, and desire to help us. His disposition was kind, compassionate, and forgiving in His treatment of us. He wanted in abundant supply to alleviate our distress and bring relief from our sins. He did this by giving us life in place of death. It was with Christ that this salvation was secured. By grace, kindness, and favor we are saved. All of this was the result of God’s extremely large degree of love wherewith He loved us, always seeking the welfare and betterment of us. God likes us” (Don Krow).
Note 13 at Ephesians 2:5: Notice that this verse stresses the fact that “by grace ye are saved.” This is clearly illustrated by Paul’s description of us as being dead. Dead people can’t help themselves. They can’t move, talk, or respond in any way, because they have no life. We were given life through Christ when we were dead in our sins. This was an act of grace independent of our efforts and works (Romans 3:27 and 11:6). God gave Christ’s life to us who were dead in sin. Truly, salvation rests in the work of God through Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:6

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 14 at Ephesians 2:6: The word “together” was used three times in Ephesians 2:5-6. It is describing our union with Christ in being “quickened” (Ephesians 2:5), “raised” (this verse), and seated “in heavenly places” (this verse). None of these things are possible on our own. It is only through our union with Christ that any of this is attainable. Our victory in the Christian life is dependent on our dependency on Christ and not on ourselves. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to live for Christ. Instead, we need to recognize our weaknesses and let Him live through us.
Note 15 at Ephesians 2:6: “Made us sit” (this verse), “raised” (Ephesians 1:20 and this verse), and “quickened” (Ephesians 2:1 and 5) are all in the aorist tense. This indicates something that God has already accomplished in Christ, not something that is off in the future.
To be raised up together with Christ and made to sit together “in heavenly places” indicates not only location but also a position of authority. It’s because of our position of being raised up with Christ that all things, including the demonic realm, are put under our feet (Ephesians 1:22-23). We are to exercise this authority in this present evil age through preaching the Gospel, including healing the sick and casting out devils (see note 4 at Acts 4:30, note 4 at Luke 5:24, and note 2 at Mark 16:20).
Since we are resurrected with Jesus and seated with Him in heavenly places, what is true of Him is also true of us in our born-again spirits. We can and should do the same works that Jesus does (see notes 17-18 at John 14:12).

Ephesians 2:7

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 16 at Ephesians 2:7: God’s motive in saving us and raising us up together with Christ was “his great love” (Ephesians 2:4). His purpose in salvation was to show us the exceeding riches of His grace and how very, very great His kindness is toward us (this verse). This kindness will be expressed and shown to us throughout eternity because of Jesus Christ. As the Living Bible translates this verse, “And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 2:8

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 17 at Ephesians 2:8: Ephesians 2:8-9 states that the basis of our salvation is grace–that is, God’s undeserved, unmerited favor toward us as expressed in providing redemption through Christ Jesus. The means of God saving us is through faith. Through faith we accept God’s free gift of salvation that was provided by grace. So, we are saved “by grace through faith.”
Note 18 at Ephesians 2:8: In previous notes, I have explained that the word “saved” means much more than just forgiveness of sins; it includes healing, prosperity, and deliverance in every area of our lives.
In this verse, the Greek word that was translated “saved” is in the perfect tense; this means that something was done and completed in the past yet continues to have present results. God’s grace has already provided all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), and our faith reaches out to God and receives the benefits (Romans 5:2). The Greek scholar Kenneth S. Wuest translated this verse, “For by grace have you been saved in time past completely, through faith, with the result that your salvation persists through present time; and this (salvation) is not from you as a source.”
Note 19 at Ephesians 2:8: Notice that we are not saved by grace alone. We are saved by grace through faith. Faith grants us admission to God’s grace (see note 3 at Romans 5:2). Without faith, God’s grace is wasted, and without grace, faith is powerless. Faith in God’s grace has to be released to receive what God has provided through Christ (see note 19 at 1 Corinthians 15:10).
God’s grace is the same toward everyone. Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.” Therefore, “all men” (mankind) have had salvation provided for them (1 John 2:2) and extended toward them by God’s grace, but not all are saved. Why? Because not all people have mixed faith with what God has done for them by grace.
Failure to understand the necessity of both grace and faith working together has led to many problems. Some people emphasize God’s grace to an extreme that renders faith useless. They say everything is up to God’s grace and is controlled sovereignly by Him alone. That’s wrong. It’s just as wrong to emphasize faith apart from God’s grace. That’s legalism. Faith doesn’t move God. God moves of His own free will by grace, and faith only appropriates what God has already provided through His grace.
Just as sodium and chloride are poisonous by themselves, so grace or faith used independently of each other is deadly. When you mix sodium and chloride together in the proper way, you get salt, which you must have to live. Likewise, putting faith in what God has already provided by grace is the key to victorious Christian living.
Note 20 at Ephesians 2:8: Most people assume the word “that” in this verse is referring to our salvation. Our salvation is not of ourselves. It is the gift of God. That is certainly a true statement. However, it is also true that the faith we use for salvation is not of ourselves. It is the gift of God too.
There is a human faith and a supernatural, God-kind of faith. Human faith is based on physical things that we can see, taste, hear, smell, or feel. God’s kind of faith believes independently of physical circumstances (see note 6 at Romans 4:17). To receive God’s gift of salvation, we have to use this supernatural, God-kind of faith that isn’t limited by our five senses. This is because, to be saved, we must believe for things that we can’t see or feel. We haven’t seen God or the devil. We haven’t seen heaven or hell. Yet, we have to believe that all of these things exist. Human faith can’t believe what it can’t see.
We are so destitute that we can’t even believe the Gospel on our own. To receive God’s gift of salvation, we have to receive the supernatural, God-kind of faith first. Where does this faith come from? How do we get it? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” God’s Word contains His faith. As we hear the Word of God about our salvation, God’s faith comes so that we can believe the good news of our salvation. We actually use God’s faith to get saved.
This God-kind of faith doesn’t leave us after the born-again experience. God’s faith becomes a fruit of the Spirit that is in our hearts. We never lose this supernatural faith. We just have to renew our minds to the fact that God’s faith is in us, and then learn how to use it (see note 16 at Romans 12:3).
Note 21 at Ephesians 2:8: Salvation is described as a gift. The American Heritage Dictionary defines “gift” as “something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation” (see note 4 at Romans 6:23). When someone gives you a present, you don’t ask “How much do I owe you?” Your only response should be “Thank you very much.” Many Christians, after receiving the gift of salvation, still think they must work to pay for their acceptance. The only acceptable response to salvation is gratitude and praise to God for His indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15). Salvation is a gift to be received (Romans 6:23), not a wage to be earned.
Note 22 at Ephesians 2:8: These verses explain in detail the nature of grace. If it’s by grace, then (1) it is not of ourselves (this verse, Romans 3:28, and Titus 3:5), (2) it is a gift (this verse and Romans 5:17), (3) it is not of works or human effort (Ephesians 2:9, Romans 11:6, and Titus 3:5), and (4) it excludes man’s boasting (Ephesians 2:9 and Romans 3:27).

Ephesians 2:9

Note on Ephesians 2:9

Those who operate in pride don’t have a good revelation of salvation by grace. They are under the delusion that God saved them or uses them because of some merit of their own. Once we see how destitute of any worthiness we are on our own, and we humble ourselves and receive salvation as a gift, then boasting is excluded (Romans 3:27).

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 23 at Ephesians 2:9: No one deserves salvation. It cannot be earned by what the Bible calls “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1 and 9:14). Dead works include all religious activities, good deeds, and/or charity that one may do as a means of being justified before God. Faith toward God and what He has done through Christ Jesus is the only means of receiving His free gift of salvation.
To trust in any human work or effort as a means of salvation is to fall from grace and to sever one’s self from the Savior (Galatians 5:4). No one can be saved by the combination of grace and works, for they exclude each other (Romans 11:6). You must be saved by grace through faith alone (see note 17 at Ephesians 2:8), or your works must meet the standard of God’s perfection set down by His holy Law (Romans 2:13). “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:28, see note 9 at Galatians 2:16).
Note 24 at Ephesians 2:9: God has designed salvation in such a way as to eliminate any boasting from man. If salvation was by works, either partially or wholly, then man could boast, but grace and faith eliminate man’s boasting altogether (see note 11 at Romans 3:27). Salvation by grace brings praise and glory to God. If we could save ourselves, either partially or wholly, we would take the credit for it. That is not the case. All the glory goes to God.

Ephesians 2:10

Note on Ephesians 2:10

There is no such thing as a “self-made” man or woman unless you are speaking about all the problems in our lives. Any good thing in us, especially our salvation, is all a product of God’s grace. The only part we have to play is either acceptance or rejection. We don’t save ourselves.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 25 at Ephesians 2:10: The Greek word for “workmanship” used here is “POIEMA,” and it means “that which is made” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). The word signifies that which is manufactured, a product, a design produced by an artisan (Word Wealth, Spirit-Filled Life Bible). It is the word from which we get our English word “poem.” We are God’s poem–His work of art. It is just as foolish for us to boast of our part in salvation as it would be for a masterpiece painting to boast of painting itself.
Note 26 at Ephesians 2:10: There is a vast difference between being saved by good works and being saved unto good works, as stated here. Good works do not gain us salvation, but they do affirm that salvation has been received into our lives. Good works cannot produce a new nature, but a new nature should produce good works.
Note 27 at Ephesians 2:10: Today’s English Version translates this verse as “God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.” God has ordained a perfect plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11), but He does not force that plan to come to pass (see notes 1-2 at Romans 8:29). We have the choice (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Ephesians 2:11

Note on Ephesians 2:11

We need to never forget where we came from and what we were like before God saved us and changed us. If we do, then we will begin thinking our goodness comes from us. But it is God who begins and completes the change in us.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 1 at Ephesians 2:11: Paul began these verses by the statement “Wherefore remember.” It is always good to remind ourselves of what we were, apart from God’s saving grace. It is an antidote for pride and self-righteousness.
Memory is a powerful force that we often neglect. Four times in his second epistle, Peter referred to our memory as a way of stirring ourselves up (2 Peter 1:12-13, 15; and 3:1). One of the main purposes of the Old Testament Sabbath was to cause the children of Israel to remember (Deuteronomy 5:15). Those of us who remember what we used to be will have a clearer understanding of who we are now (see note 4 at Ephesians 2:13).

Ephesians 2:12

Note on Ephesians 2:12

Of course, Jesus loves the lost too. But those who are not born again can’t claim to have Christ the way we do. In that sense, the lost are without Christ, aliens from the people of God, and without the wonderful promises we have. That equals being without God in their world, which is hopeless.
This verse paints a picture of people who have not received Christ as their Savior very differently from what some people would paint today. Some people think Jesus just adds a new dimension to their lives, but they would say they were living good lives without Jesus. That’s not what this verse says. Life without Jesus is the pits. No one really starts living until experiencing the life that Jesus brings. As John said in John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
Hope is our positive imagination (see my note at Romans 8:24). Those without God have imagination, but it’s not positive; therefore, they don’t have hope.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 2 at Ephesians 2:12: In these verses (Ephesians 5:11-12), Paul described the complete hopelessness of all Gentiles before Jesus opened the door of salvation unto them. The reason for this was to remind them (see note 1 at Ephesians 2:11) of how their salvation was completely a work of God’s grace (see note 20 at Ephesians 2:8). They had no covenant with God that promised them redemption. They were foreigners to God’s kingdom with no hope of the situation ever changing. It was totally God’s mercy and their response of faith to the grace they were offered that brought them salvation. How could they ever think they obtained salvation through some virtue of their own?
Note 3 at Ephesians 2:12: Of course, God is everywhere. When Paul said they were “without God in the world,” he was speaking of the effect God was having on their lives. As far as their experience was concerned, it was as though God didn’t exist. The Lord doesn’t impact people’s lives sovereignly. The Lord’s deliverance has to be invited into their lives through faith. No faith equals no invitation and no intervention.
Notice that Paul linked the separation from the covenant of God with being “without God in the world.” This illustrates that God deals with us through His covenant words. Those who seek to find the Lord apart from the revealed Scripture will wind up “without God.”

Ephesians 2:13

Note on Ephesians 2:13

This term “far off” is referring to the Gentiles who were excluded from God’s covenant, which He made with the Jews. Ephesians 2:17 says, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” Those who were nigh were the Jews, and those who were afar off were the Gentiles.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 4 at Ephesians 2:13: Paul had just described the totally hopeless situation of an unbeliever before salvation (see note 2 at Ephesians 2:12). “But now” begins the description of the total transformation that takes place at salvation. To really appreciate the “but now” of these verses, we need to clearly understand the complete desperateness of Ephesians 2:11-12 (see note 1 at Ephesians 2:11).
Note 5 at Ephesians 2:13: The Gentiles, who were at one time separated from the promises of God and therefore “far off” from God Himself (see note 3 at Ephesians 2:12), are now “made nigh” unto God by the blood of Christ (see note 6 at this verse). The phrases “far off” and “made nigh” are figurative, describing our relationship with the Lord. The truth is, God is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). Before being “born again” (see note 2 at John 3:3), though, it was as if the Lord was very far away. There was little or no communication with Him and no benefit of His presence. After salvation, it is as though the Lord has come very near to us. We can speak to Him at any time and always feel His presence.
For the purpose of describing how our relationship with the Lord is going, it is okay to use the symbolism of “far off” and “nigh,” but we born-again believers all need to remember this is just figurative. After salvation, the Lord promised that He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). It is only our perception of the Lord’s presence that changes. Regardless of how we feel, the Lord is always present and watching over His promises to fulfill each and every one.
Note 6 at Ephesians 2:13: The blood of Jesus is a central theme of the New Covenant. When spoken of in Scripture, it refers to Christ’s death as a means of securing salvation and of the institution of the New Covenant between God and man. Under the New Covenant, the blood of Jesus has provided the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), a new heart (Jeremiah 31:33-34), mercy toward unrighteousness (Hebrews 8:12), justification (Romans 5:9), eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12), intimate relationship with God (Hebrews 8:11), deliverance from a worthless kind of life (1 Peter 1:18-19), peace with God (Colossians 1:20), the putting away of sin (Hebrews 9:26), continual cleansing (1 John 1:7), a cleansed conscience (Hebrews 9:14), deliverance from the Law (Ephesians 2:15), reconciliation (Ephesians 2:16), access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18), a perfect standing before God (Colossians 1:22), the spoiling of principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15), Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1), and healing for the physical body (Matthew 8:17).

Ephesians 2:14

Note on Ephesians 2:14

Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God. We now have peace with God through Jesus (see my note at Luke 2:14). And the separation that existed between Jew and Gentile is now gone for those who are in Christ. There is no longer any division, because we are not under the O.T. Law, which was this wall of partition. We are both (Jew and Gentile) one new man in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 7 at Ephesians 2:14: Anytime two opposing groups are joined together, it is a great testimony of unity and peace. In the body of Christ (see note 14 at 1 Corinthians 12:27), it is Christ and Christ alone who has created this peace. He did this by breaking down the middle wall of partition that divided Jew and Gentile.
In the Jerusalem temple, there was a physical wall of partition that symbolized this division. The Gentiles could come into a designated area of the temple known as the Court of the Gentiles, but a five-foot stone wall allowed them to go no farther. A sign standing before the wall stated, “No man of another nation is to enter, and whosoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death!”
Many regulations and rules had separated Jews and Gentiles for centuries (Acts 10:28). Christ’s work on the cross abolished that separation by removing the Law (see note 9 at Ephesians 2:15) and thus the barrier between these two groups. Instead of making the Gentiles Jews, or the Jews Gentiles, God did a brand-new thing. It’s like crossing a horse and a donkey. The result is not a horse or a donkey. You get a brand-new animal–a mule.
In the New Testament church, there is no such thing as Jew or Gentile, bond or free, for God has created something absolutely new. It’s the “one new man,” the new creation in Christ Jesus, the church, Christ’s body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:23). The prejudice caused by racial and religious distinctions has been dissolved. Enmity, hostility, and hatred are over by the blood of His cross. Believers are now only Christians. It’s only man and religion that want to rebuild what Christ has torn down.
Note 8 at Ephesians 2:14: In context, Paul was speaking about the differences between Jew and Gentile being done away with in Christ. The thing that separated Jew and Gentile was the Old Testament Law with all its laws and ceremonies. Jesus abolished these laws (see note 9 at Ephesians 2:15) and thereby broke down the partition that was between Jew and Gentile. He further made all believers new creations, making Jewish and Gentile distinctions no longer applicable. Believers are all new creations in Christ Jesus with heavenly citizenship.
This unity is not limited to Jew and Gentile, although that is the subject Paul dealt with here. In Galatians 3:28, Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, not only are national and religious divisions done away with; social standings that divide (bond and free), as well as gender differences, are dissolved in Christ. All believers are united to each other regardless of race, sex, or social standing.

Ephesians 2:15

Note on Ephesians 2:15

The Greek word that was translated “abolished” in this verse is KATARGEO, which means “to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively.” Jesus totally rendered the O.T. law idle or useless by nailing it to His cross. Colossians 2:14 says, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.” By abolishing the Law (see my note at Hebrews 7:18), Jesus removed the barriers between Jew and Gentile and all the barriers between God and man. Now Jew and Gentile alike have direct access to God’s grace through faith in what Jesus did for them (see my note at Romans 6:2). Together, the Jews and Gentiles who receive through faith what Jesus did for them by grace become one new man, the church or body of Christ.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 9 at Ephesians 2:15: The word “abolished” is a very strong word. The Greek word translated “abolished” here is “KATARGEO,” and it means “to be (render) entirely idle (useless)” (Strong’s Concordance). The American Heritage Dictionary defines “abolish” as “to do away with; annul.” Paul was saying that the Old Testament Law, which made a division between Jew and Gentile, was entirely useless in relating to God now (see notes 3-4 at Romans 3:19).
Some people proclaim that only the ceremonial parts of the Law, such as feast days, dietary laws, etc., were done away with, but that is not so. James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” The O.T. Law had many ordinances, but combined they made one Law. Failure to comply with any one point of the Law was failure to comply with all of the Law. Likewise, doing away with any one point of the Law was doing away with all of the Law.
Of course, it must be understood that the O.T. Law still has a purpose. The purpose of the Law always was and continues to be showing us our sin and leading us to a Savior (see note 4 at Romans 3:19). When used for this purpose, the Law is good (see note 14 at Romans 3:31). To use the Law as a standard by which we can make ourselves worthy to receive from God is wrong.
The Law did provide justification for one man–Jesus. He kept every detail of the Law and was justified by His actions. But having obtained justification for us through the Law, He abolished that function of the Law forever and now offers justification with God on the basis of faith in His grace (see note 19 at Ephesians 2:8).
Note 10 at Ephesians 2:15: Paul clearly stated here that in Christ, we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is no longer the distinction of Jew and Gentile; we are all one new creation in Christ. We believers are all Christians. It is okay to enjoy and appreciate our physical heritage in its proper place, but when it comes to our relationship with the Lord and with other members of the body of Christ, there should be no ethnic distinctions. Those who promote ethnic distinctions in the body of Christ are not following the spirit of what Paul said here (see notes 1-2 at 1 Corinthians 1:10).

Ephesians 2:16

Note on Ephesians 2:16

See my note on reconciliation at 2 Corinthians 5:18.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 11 at Ephesians 2:16: This verse is making the same point that the previous verse made (see note 9 at Ephesians 2:15). The enmity being spoken of is the division that the Old Testament Law created. The O.T. Law is as though it has been killed, because it no longer applies to those who seek to be justified with God (see notes 3-4 at Romans 3:19).

Ephesians 2:17

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 12 at Ephesians 2:17: This verse seems to be an allusion to Isaiah 57:19. Through Jesus, mankind can now be reconciled (see note 11 at 2 Corinthians 5:18) to God and to each other.
It is “through him”–Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18) and His death–that Jew and Gentile alike may now come boldly unto His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). The Gentiles, who were far off “having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12), and the Jews, who were near because of the covenants of promise, are now in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:13). How much better it is to be in Christ Jesus than just to be near.
Prior to this, Jews could approach God through their mediator, the high priest, and Gentiles could approach God by their conversion to Judaism. But now Jesus has become the door whereby all people may come to God solely on the basis of faith in what He has done for them.

Ephesians 2:18

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 13 at Ephesians 2:18: “Through him” (i.e., Jesus), God credits people to be perfect even at a moment when they are ungodly in themselves. Charles Swindoll, in his book “The Grace Awakening,” states that justification “is the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous the believing sinner while still in his sinning state” (p. 36). “Through him,” people–though sinners in the flesh, but justified in the spirit–may come boldly before the heavenly Father.
Note 14 at Ephesians 2:18: The Greek noun for “access” used here is “PROSAGOGE,” and it was used three times in the New Testament (Romans 5:2; this verse, and Ephesians 3:12). It literally means “admission” (Strong’s Concordance) (see note 3 at Romans 5:2). “In oriental courts there was a [PROSAGOGE] who brought a person into the presence of the king” (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, brackets mine). Jesus provided the admission price unto the Father with the shedding of His blood, the Holy Spirit is the one who escorts us unto the throne of God, and God the Father Himself receives us.

Ephesians 2:19

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 15 at Ephesians 2:19: Gentiles were strangers and foreigners (“aliens”) to God and His people (Ephesians 2:12). “Strangers” were neither friends nor acquaintances, but rather outsiders. “Foreigners” were aliens who were permitted to reside in a country but who lived without any rights of citizenship and could be expelled without appeal.
Because of Christ’s reconciling work on the cross, Paul used three metaphors in describing both the Jews’ and the Gentiles’ new position before God: (1) fellow citizens with God’s people (this verse [New International Version] and Philippians 3:20 [NIV]), (2) of the same household (this verse; Matthew 12:48-50, 23:8-9; Luke 8:21; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11-12; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 3:15; and Philemon 16), and (3) part of God’s building (Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Corinthians 3:9, and 1 Peter 2:5).
Those who are now united with Christ through the new birth (see note 2 at John 3:3) are inseparably a part of God.

Ephesians 2:21

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 16 at Ephesians 2:21: The saints as the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19) are built upon the foundation of the teachings of the apostles and prophets. We are told that the early church “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Christ Himself is called the chief cornerstone on whom every structure is aligned perfectly. This metaphor depicts believers as a carefully joined, constantly growing temple inhabited by God. The Jews and Gentiles are now an ever-growing spiritual structure indwelt by God. Whereas a church building is sometimes called the house of God, in reality believers are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:9 and 6:19, see note 7 at 1 Corinthians 3:16). “For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16).

Ephesians 2:22

Note on Ephesians 2:22

God inhabits our born-again spirits through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.