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One in Christ
…15by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace16andreconcilingboth of themto Godinonebodythroughthecross,bywhichHe extinguishedtheirhostility.17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.…

Treasury of Scripture

And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

reconcile.

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21
And all thingsare of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; …

Colossians 1:21-22
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies inyour mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled …

having.

Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,even the law of commandmentscontained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man,so making peace;

Romans 6:6
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified withhim, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Romans 8:3,7
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: …

thereby.

AgreementBodyCrossDeathEffectingEndEnmityGentilesHostilityJewsKilledMeansMutualPeacePuttingReconcileSlainSlayingTherebyAgreementBodyCrossDeathEffectingEndEnmityGentilesHostilityJewsKilledMeansMutualPeacePuttingReconcileSlainSlayingThereby1.By comparing what we were by nature, with what we are by grace,
10.he declares that we are made for good works: and being brought near by Christ,
19.should not live as Gentiles and foreigners, but as citizens with the saints, and the family of God.

and reconciling both of them to God
This phrase refers to the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, who were historically divided by cultural, religious, and social barriers. In the context of Ephesians, Paul emphasizes that through Christ, these two groups are brought together into a unified relationship with God. This reconciliation fulfills Old Testament prophecies such asIsaiah 49:6, which speaks of salvation reaching the ends of the earth. The concept of reconciliation is central to the New Testament, highlighting the restoration of a broken relationship between humanity and God, as seen in2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

in one body
The "one body" refers to the Church, the body of Christ, where all believers, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, are united. This unity is a key theme in Ephesians, as Paul stresses the importance of the Church as a single entity composed of diverse members. The metaphor of the body is also used in1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where Paul describes the Church as one body with many parts, each with its own function but all working together in harmony.

through the cross
The cross is the means by which reconciliation is achieved. It symbolizes the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which atones for sin and bridges the gap between humanity and God. The cross is central to Christian theology, representing both the justice and mercy of God. InColossians 1:20, Paul similarly speaks of peace being made through the blood of the cross. The cross is not just a historical event but a transformative power that changes the spiritual status of believers.

by which He put to death their hostility
The hostility between Jews and Gentiles, as well as between humanity and God, is abolished through Christ's work on the cross. This enmity is not only a social and cultural division but also a spiritual one, rooted in sin.Ephesians 2:14-15 earlier mentions the "dividing wall of hostility" being broken down. The death of Christ is the ultimate act that destroys this enmity, allowing for peace and unity. This concept is echoed inRomans 5:10, where Paul speaks of being reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

1.Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2.The Ephesians
The recipients of the letter, the Ephesians were members of the early Christian church in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor.

3.Jews and Gentiles
The two groups mentioned in the context ofEphesians 2, representing the division that existed before Christ's reconciling work.

4.The Cross
The instrument of Christ's sacrifice, central to the reconciliation of humanity to God and the removal of hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

5.God
The ultimate reconciler, who through Christ's sacrifice, brings unity and peace to divided humanity.Unity in Christ
The cross is the ultimate symbol of unity, breaking down barriers between different groups and creating one body in Christ.

The Power of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not just a past event but an ongoing process in the life of believers, calling us to live in peace with others.

Extinguishing Hostility
Christ's work on the cross extinguishes hostility, encouraging believers to seek peace and resolve conflicts in their own lives.

Living as One Body
As members of one body, Christians are called to support and love one another, reflecting the unity achieved through Christ.

The Role of the Cross
The cross is central to Christian faith, reminding us of the sacrifice made for our reconciliation and the call to live sacrificially for others.1.What is the meaning of Ephesians 2:16?

2.How does Ephesians 2:16 emphasize reconciliation through the cross of Christ?

3.What barriers does Ephesians 2:16 suggest Christ's sacrifice has broken down?

4.How can we apply Ephesians 2:16 to promote unity in our church?

5.In what ways does Ephesians 2:16 connect to Colossians 1:20 on reconciliation?

6.How does Ephesians 2:16 encourage us to live in peace with others?

7.How does Ephesians 2:16 define reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles through Christ's sacrifice?

8.What historical context influenced Paul's message in Ephesians 2:16?

9.How does Ephesians 2:16 challenge the concept of division within the church?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 2?

11.What is the meaning of 'One New Man'?

12.What does the Sign of the Cross mean?

13.What is the True Jesus Church?

14.What is the meaning of "One New Man"?Setting the Stage

Paul has just said that Christ “is our peace” and has “made the two one” (Ephesians 2:14-15). Verse 16 shows how He did it.

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Reconciling

Christ’s aim was “to reconcile.”

• Reconciliation restores broken fellowship (2 Corinthians 5:18-19;Romans 5:10).

• The initiative is entirely God’s; humanity contributes only its need.

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Both of Them

The “both” are Jew and Gentile, the two groups that summed up the human family in Paul’s world.

• Jews – once near because of covenant promises (Romans 9:4-5).

• Gentiles – once far off, “without hope and without God” (Ephesians 2:12).

Christ gathers each side, not by making Gentiles Jewish or Jews Gentile, but by creating a brand-new people (Galatians 3:28).

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To God

The estrangement was chiefly vertical.

• Sin alienated every person from God first (Colossians 1:21).

• When vertical peace is restored, horizontal peace can flourish (1 John 1:7).

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In One Body

Reconciliation places all believers into “one body,” the church.

• This is the spiritual organism Christ heads (Ephesians 1:22-23).

• “We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

• Unity is not optional; it is embedded in our new identity (Ephesians 4:4-6).

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Through the Cross

The cross is the only bridge.

• Christ fulfilled the Law’s demands and bore its curse (Colossians 2:14;Galatians 3:13).

• He died once for all, so no further sacrifice is needed (Hebrews 10:12-14).

• Grace, not works, secures our standing (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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Putting Hostility to Death

“By which He extinguished their hostility.”

• Hostility between people dies because the source—sinful pride—is crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6).

• Hostility toward God dies because His wrath is satisfied (Romans 3:25).

• Believers now relate as family, no longer strangers (Ephesians 2:19;1 John 3:14).

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Living the Reality

• Guard unity earnestly (Ephesians 4:3).

• Welcome fellow believers as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:7).

• Display sacrificial love that mirrors the cross (John 13:34-35).

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summary

Ephesians 2:16 teaches that Jesus reconciled Jews and Gentiles—indeed, all people—“to God in one body through the cross.” His atoning death satisfied God, formed a unified church, and killed the hostility that once separated us from Him and from each other. Unity is therefore not merely a goal; it is the accomplished gift of the cross, to be guarded and enjoyed by every believer.

(16)And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body.--In this verse the latter subject opens--the reconciliation of all to God. On the reconciliation of man to God, see the great passage2Corinthians 5:18-21. But it should be noted that in the original the word used here and inColossians 1:20-21 (and nowhere else) is a compound signifying not simply to "conciliate," but properly to "reconcile,"--that is to reunite those who were originally united, but afterwards separated by the sin of man. This brings out the profound idea, which so especially characterises these Epistles, of a primeval unity of all created being in Christ, marred and broken by sin, and restored by His manifestation in human flesh. Note that the passage in the Colossians (on which see Notes) has a far wider scope than this passage--"having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself; by Him (I say), whether they be things on earth or things in heaven." On the other hand, this passage characteristically still lays stress on the idea "in one body"--that is, as throughout, His mystical body, the Church--although probably the phrase is suggested here by the thought of the natural body of the Lord offered on the cross, which is clearly referred to inColossians 1:21. There is a similar connection of thought in1Corinthians 10:16-17, "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we are all one bread, and one body."

By the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.--In this verse (in accordance with the context) "the enmity," which by His death He "slew," is the barrier between God and man, created by sin, but brought out by the Law, as hard and rigid law, "in ordinances" of which St. Paul does not hesitate to say that "sin took occasion by it," and "by it slew" man (Romans 7:11). This is illustrated by the cognate, though different, metaphor ofColossians 2:14, where it is said of Christ that He "blotted out the handwriting of ordinances which was against us, which was contrary unto us, and took it out of the way,nailing it to His cross." Compare also, inGalatians 2:19-20, the connection of spiritual "death to the Law" with our partaking of our Lord's crucifixion: "I, through the Law, am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.I am crucified with Christ,nevertheless I live. . . . by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me andgave Himself for me." By His death Christ has both redeemed us from sin, and also "redeemed (properly,bought) us from the curse of the Law" (Galatians 3:13). . . .

Verse 16. -And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross. Exegetical of preceding statements, and making emphatic the fact of reconciliation to God onthe same footing and by the same means; both were to be reconciledin,one body (seeEphesians 4:4) andby the cross. No preference was to be given to the Jew facilitating his union to Christ: the Gentile was to be taken into Christ's body as readily as the Jew. In reference to the sense in which reconciliation was effected by the cross of Jesus, some say it was only as the cross demonstrated to men the love of God and his willingness to bless them; while others maintain very strongly that it was as providing a satisfaction to God's justice for their guilt, and thus enabling him to receive and bless the sinner. Not only the analogy of other passages of Scripture as well as of this Epistle justifies the latter view, but preeminently the words, "by the cross." If Christ had only toproclaim God's friendship toward sinners, why should he have suffered on the cross? The cross as a mere pulpit is hideous; as an altar it is glorious. The love of God is ill revealed, if it subjected Jesus to unnecessary agony. The love of both Father and Son is indeed commended, if the agony was voluntarily borne by the Son, and permitted by the Father, as being indispensable for the pardon of the sinner. 'Αποκαταλλάξῃ denotes the whole process of reconciliation (see Eadie).Having slain the enmity thereby (or,thereon). "The enmity" is the same as at the beginning of ver. 15 - the enmity of man to God. The destruction of this enmity is one of the effects of the cross, though not the only effect; it is necessary to root out the enmity of the carnal mind. That this is the meaning here seems plain fromRomans 5:10, "If,when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son." The apostle there makes no allusion to the enmity of Jew and Gentile to each other, but to this wider fact -τὸ φρόνημα τῆς σαρκὸς ἔχθραεἰς Θεόν. If any words can denote the result of a propitiatory sacrifice, it is surely "reconciled to God by the death of his Son."

Parallel Commentaries ...


and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

reconciling
ἀποκαταλλάξῃ(apokatallaxē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 604:To reconcile, change from one state of feeling to another. From apo and katallasso; to reconcile fully.

both [of them]
ἀμφοτέρους(amphoterous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 297:Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both.

to God
Θεῷ(Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

one
ἑνὶ(heni)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

body
σώματι(sōmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983:Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

through
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τοῦ(tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

cross,
σταυροῦ(staurou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4716:A cross.

by
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

which
αὐτῷ(autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

He extinguished
ἀποκτείνας(apokteinas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.

[their]
τὴν(tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hostility.
ἔχθραν(echthran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2189:Enmity, hostility, alienation. Feminine of echthros; hostility; by implication, a reason for opposition.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 2:16 And might reconcile them both in one (Ephes. Eph. Ep)