Ephesians 2:15-16

2:15

by – agency, i.e., how Jesus made the two one and how He destroyed the barrier is explained in the following

abolishing – total destruction, similar to “destroyed” in v. 14, but feels stronger; no trace is left of the former barrier

in his flesh – physically, by becoming human, by dying a human death, by the extreme physical suffering that prefaced His death

the law – the list of do’s and don’t’s

with its commandments and regulations – Yet Jesus said not one stroke of the Law would pass away. Somehow, I/we need to keep a balance between two extremes: Brought into God’s family totally by grace through faith, having no connection with my behavior. At the same time, the Law stands and God calls me to live by standards He has written on my heart.

His purpose – reason, motivation, desired result

was to create – make something completely new

in himself – Not possible outside the work and community of Christ

one new man – Since he’s writing about plural groups of people, the question rises: What does Paul mean by “one new man”? New entity, organism, being? Or does he mean an individual person who is neither Jew nor Gentile, but Christian instead? I like the latter view. It calls me to make no distinction—in Christ’s community—between this background and that.

out of the two – Wherever I see divisions in the Body of Christ, I must work to make the two one.

thus making peace – right relations between two parties who were formerly at odds.

2:16

and – additional part of His purpose

in this one body – It is impressive how often Paul ties everything into our group unity in and connection with Christ

to reconcile ... to God – heal the estrangement, the enmity

...both... – whether from religious or irreligious background, both sides of equation need reconciliation to God. This is achieved together, in the unity of the Body of Christ. We do not arrive at reconciliation with God in solitude, only in community.

through the cross – suffering, paying penalty. Death on the cross achieved more than paying for my/our sin. It also achieved reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles (religious and irreligious) as well as reconciliation between us and God.

by which – the cross was the means enabling Christ to …

he - Jesus Christ, God the Son

put to death – increasing intensity: “destroy” (v. 14), “abolishing” (v. 15), now “put to death” (v. 16). Suggests finality

their hostility – enmity, estrangement, suspicion, opposition