No Middle Wall

by | Jul 26, 2023 | 2023 3rd Quarter

What is the middle wall of partition_

(Ephesians 2:11-22; Deuteronomy 31:24-26; Colossians 12:14-17) Blog July 23-29, 2023

Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA

REVIEW: Before the foundation of the world God chose Jesus to be surety for humanity. All those found “in him” would become the church, Christ’s body, his bride. They are to grasp the magnitude of this calling and God’s power to accomplish all that he planned for humanity. It is by God’s attitude of grace that hell-bound sinners who believe can be saved.

Aliens

1. With what broad subject does Paul introduce the second half of Ephesians 2? Paul begins this section of Ephesians with the broad distinction between Jew & Gentile made by Mosaic circumcision in the flesh (Eph. 2:11).

2. What five distinctions between Jew and Gentile does Paul record in verse 12? Gentiles had no Messiah, they were not part of God’s elect people, they had no covenant promise, they were without hope, & without God (Eph. 2:12).

3. How might we express these five distinctions in another way? Gentiles were like dead fish floating downstream, with no Saviour, no family, no protecting boundaries, no future, & no present. This world was all they had (Eph. 2:12).

4. According to verse 13 what made the great change for Gentiles? The great change took place when they entered Christ by faith (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:29; Eph. 2:13).

5. What did Jesus do to break down the “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile? By his perfect life (flesh) & atoning death (blood) Jesus broke down the “middle wall of partition” (Eph. 2:13-15; 2 Tim. 1:10).

The Middle Wall of Partition

6. What was the “middle wall of partition” that Jesus broke down? The “middle wall of partition” that Jesus broke down was “the law of commandments contained in ordinances” (Eph. 2:14-15).

7. What is “the law of commandments contained in ordinances”? The “law of commandments contained in ordinances” is the Law of Moses that was nailed to Christ’s cross (Deut. 31:24-26; Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 7:12).

8. Why do some people prefer to seek out a different interpretation of the “middle wall of partition” rather than the Law of Moses? Some people do not want to retain the Ten Commandments as a standard of Christian living so they choose not to distinguish between it & the Law of Moses so they can teach that both are no longer obligatory for Christians. Others believe Christians are still under the Law of Moses, so they look for a different interpretation of this passage (Eph. 2:14-15).

9. What words in Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14 make clear that Paul is speaking of the Law of Moses? The words “handwriting,” “enmity,” “law,” & “ordinances” make clear that Paul is referring to the Law of Moses for Moses uses those very ideas to refer to it (Num. 9:14; Deut. 31:24-26).

See our YouTube study on “The Two Laws” for further detail: https://youtu.be/kY_tztT3mq4  

The Family of God

10. Where are Jew and Gentile brought together? In our world Jew & Gentile have not been brought together. Only in Christ have they been brought together. In Christ they are one body (Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 2:15-16).

11. What is another name for that body where Jew and Gentile are brought together? Christ’s body is also called the church or the family of God (Eph. 1:22-23; 2:18-19).

12. What is the church built on? The church is built on Jesus as revealed in the writings of the prophets & apostles (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20).

13. Is the construction of the church finished? No, the building of the church is not finished until the last soul to be saved is sealed, for it is made up of people (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:5-6; Rev. 7:3).

14. What member of the Godhead places us in and dwells in God’s church? The Holy Spirit places us into God’s family and indwells God’s church (1 Cor. 3:16; 12:13; Eph. 2:18, 22).

15. If Jews and Gentiles are all one in Christ, why does Paul say that “all Israel shall be saved”? In Romans Paul uses the term “Israel” to refer to God’s church who in Christ (God’s Elect) has become “the Israel of God” (Isa. 42:1; Rom. 2:28-29; 11:26; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:19).