Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 2:12

"that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world." — Ephesians 2:12 (ASV)

The apostle goes on to urge the Ephesians to recall what they once were in their heathen state. Four successive phrases depict their debit as compared with the Jews (cf. Romans 9:4–5). (1) They were “separate from Christ”—they had no expectation of a Messiah to light up their darkness. They knew nothing at all about him. (2) They had no rights of “citizenship” (GK 4486) in his kingdom by reason of their birth. This word contrasts with the more intimate expression “members of God’s household” in v.19; it signifies a commonwealth or state. (3) The Gentiles were not entitled to the benefits accruing to the covenantal community. In this respect, they were in the position of “foreigners,” who could not claim the prerogatives of nationals. (4) As a consequence, they lived in a world devoid of “hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and “God.” This does not imply that they were forsaken by God, but that, since they were ignorant of him (Galatians 4:8), they did not believe in him.