Charles Ellicott Commentary Ephesians 2:19

"So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God," — Ephesians 2:19 (ASV)

Strangers and foreigners.—Here the word rendered “stranger” properly means an alien, or foreigner; while the word translated “foreigners” signifies the resident aliens of an ancient city, who were only half-aliens, having free interaction with the citizens but no rights of citizenship. The latter word is used literally in Acts 7:6; Acts 7:29 (there rendered “sojourner”), and often in the LXX version; perhaps metaphorically in 1 Peter 2:11. Such a sojourner, though in some sense less an absolute alien than the mere “stranger,” was one on whom, by daily contrast, the sense of being an alien, excluded from power and privilege, was more forcibly impressed.

Fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.—In this sense, this double expression preserves the double idea running through the whole chapter. The phrase “fellowcitizens of the saints” is applied to the Gentiles, as now united with the Israel of God in one “commonwealth.” (See Ephesians 2:12.) “Members of the household of God” refers rather to the union with God, restored by the blood of Jesus Christ. (See Ephesians 2:13.)

Regarding the metaphor, the word “stranger”—that is, alien—seems to be opposed to “fellowcitizen”; and the word “foreigner”—that is, half-alien—to “members of the household”: for the resident aliens stood opposed to the “houses” (the families or clans) of the citizens—the family, not the individual, always being the unit in ancient law. The Gentiles were now brought into a “household,” and that household was the household of God Himself.

On verses 19-22:

(2c.) Ephesians 2:19–22 sum up the twofold idea of this chapter—the union of the Gentiles with God and with God’s chosen people—using the metaphor of the One Temple. Jesus Christ is its chief cornerstone, and this Temple, both collectively and in each of its individual parts, grows into a habitation of God.