But Now in Christ

Study of Ephesians

Week 6

Ephesians 2:11-13

Perhaps you have attended a meeting where it was obvious that the speaker knew his audience. Maybe not individually, but he was dialed in to who they were and what they needed to hear.

That is exactly what Paul is doing in Ephesians 2:11-13.

Unlike other passages in the New Testament where Paul is addressing Jewish believers, here Paul is speaking to Gentile Christians. 

Let’s remember, a Gentile is anyone who is not of direct Jewish descent.

That is me, and most likely, you.

Gentiles did not have the same spiritual background as their Jewish friends. They worshiped idols and lived a very pagan life. As a matter of fact, before Christ, they were not friends, not physically and not spiritually.

In Ephesians 2:11-12 , Paul addresses them.

“Therefore, remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcised” by the so-called “Circumcision”, which is performed in the flesh by human hands—remember at that time you were separate from Christ…”

You were once called “Uncircumcised.” That term, while physically true, insinuated a second-class citizen.  Paul called for that to change.  

Paul was setting the stage. He was reading the room and knew it was time to clearly bring a message of reconciliation between the circumcised and the uncircumcised. 

He addressed the Gentiles and made five points in Ephesians 2:12.

“You were separate from Christ…”

You were “excluded from the commonwealth of Israel…”

You were “strangers to the covenants of promise…”

You had “no hope…”

You were “without God in the world.”

Then, with cutting precision, Paul tears down the barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles, the “Circumcised” and the “Uncircumcised” with these words:

“But now in Christ Jesus…”

“But now in Christ Jesus….”

“But now in Christ Jesus, you who were formally far off have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

Once separated because of birth, background, spiritual upbringing, geography, you name it, are now one, united, uniformed, because of the blood of Christ.

No longer called the “Uncircumcised”, now called those “in Christ Jesus”.

That name is greater than any other name. (Acts 4:12)

The Gentiles lived for years with the name, “Uncircumcised.”

Jewish leaders, scribes, pharisees, used that name condescendingly. 

(Romans 3:29-30, Galatians 5:6, Colossians 3:11)

What name do you carry? Possibly one that brings shame?

 Liar? Cheat? Gossip? Fornicator?

Perhaps it’s a name that hits a lot closer to the heart, a name like: Not Good Enough, Rejected, Ugly, Incompetent, or Unwanted.  

“But now in Jesus Christ”, because of Jesus Christ, He has changed our name.

The physical characteristics of the Gentiles, the Uncircumcised, didn’t change.

But God changed our name because it was a circumcision of the heart that was important.  

In what way?

Let’s look at Ephesians 2:12 in light of Christ.

Now we are now “together in Christ.”

We are now included “in the commonwealth of Israel.”

We are now heirs “to the covenants of promise.”

We have “hope” where hope didn’t exist.

We have “God in this world”, our world.  

“But now in Christ Jesus…we have been brought near…”

We no longer have to bear any other name other than Christ follower.

Question for discussion (your email is never posted or shared)  

What does, “But now in Jesus Christ” mean for you? Is there a time when you remember life apart from Christ?