The heart of God’s vision in Ephesians is the reconciliation and unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. For this reason, the dividing wall between the two had to come down, and it must stay down.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:14-16 NKJV
Paul begins by describing the separation that existed between Jews and Gentiles. The Gentiles were once “far off” and “alienated from the commonwealth” and “strangers to the covenants of promise,” but have now been brought near (2:12-13). Through the cross, Christ tore down the dividing wall of separation and created in Himself “one new man from the two” (2:15). The result was not only reconciliation to God, but reconciliation to one another.
This raises a significant question. What stood between Jews and Gentiles that Christ tore down and abolished? At first glance, it may appear to be the law, but the answer is far more precise.
Scripture describes the law as holy, righteous, and good (Rom 7:12). Importantly, Jesus clearly stated that He did not come to abolish the law (Matt 5:17 cf. Rom 3:31). Instead, Christ abolished the enmity that arose around the law (Eph 2:15-16). This enmity was not inherent in the law but resulted from an interpretation that turned Israel’s distinction into a boundary requiring Gentiles to adopt the full obligations of the law in order to be considered part of God’s people and welcomed into fellowship (cf. Acts 15 and Gal 2:11-16).
Certainly, the law distinguishes Israel from the nations, but it was never given as the means by which either Jew or Gentile is reconciled to God (cf. Gal 2:15-16). That reconciliation is accomplished through Christ, who grants both access to the Father through faith. In reconciling both, Christ put to death the enmity and broke down the dividing wall that once stood between Jews and Gentiles, unifying the two without erasing distinction.
Tragically, the dividing wall Jesus once tore down has been reconstructed in the opposite direction within the Church. This reconstruction has taken various forms throughout church history, but the underlying pattern remains the same and reflects an inversion of the original dividing wall. The former boundary required Gentiles to adopt the law and essentially live as Jews. The latter boundary requires Jews to abandon the law and essentially cease living as Jews. Both require one side to surrender its distinction for the sake of unity. Both produce enmity, and both should have no place in the body in Christ.
Now is the time for the Church to tear down the boundary it reconstructed and restore the fellowship Christ intended. Jewish believers are to be received and accepted as Jews within our shared faith and fellowship in Christ. The continuation of Jewish life in accordance with the law God gave to them as a people remains fully compatible with faith in Christ (cf. Rom 3:31).
As the Church recognizes this reality, Jews and Gentiles together can more faithfully embody the unified “one new man” in Christ.
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Tristan Fenholt 