Gentiles, besides being the objects of Jewish contempt, were also in a spiritually bankrupt condition. Not because, as many of the Jews had thought, they were uncircumcised, but for other reason, which Paul summarizes in five descriptive phrases. Paul reminds the church at Ephesus of their past, so that in light of this, God’s grace in joining them with the Jewish people into one new society might be magnified.
They were:
1)without Christ.
2)aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.
3)strangers from the covenants of promise,
4)without hope
5)without God in the world
When people come to Christ, they are in Paul’s words, no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Eph 2:19). What a God-glorifying contrast between what you were and what you are in Christ! Meditate upon the difference that Christ has made in your life and worship Him, for He alone is worthy to be praised!
