Movatterモバイル変換

Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

but.

Ephesians 3:6
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Galatians 3:26-28
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus…

Galatians 4:26-31
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all…

household.

Ephesians 3:15
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much moreshall they call them of his household?

Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto allmen, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

but fellow citizens with the saints
Here, Paul emphasizes the inclusion of Gentile believers into the spiritual commonwealth of Israel. "Fellow citizens" suggests full membership and equal standing in God's kingdom. The "saints" refers to all believers, both Jew and Gentile, who are set apart for God. This citizenship is not based on ethnic or national identity but on faith in Christ. The concept of citizenship would resonate with the Ephesians, as Roman citizenship was highly valued and conferred specific rights and privileges. This phrase connects toPhilippians 3:20, where Paul speaks of believers' citizenship in heaven, highlighting the eternal nature of this new identity.

and members of God’s household
This phrase deepens the sense of belonging by shifting from a civic metaphor to a familial one. Being "members of God’s household" implies intimacy, care, and a shared inheritance. In the ancient world, the household was the basic unit of society, encompassing family and servants under the authority of the head of the house. Spiritually, this reflects the believer's adoption into God's family through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15-17). It also connects to the imagery of the church as the body of Christ, where each member has a role and purpose (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This familial relationship fulfills the promise of God dwelling among His people, as seen in the prophetic vision ofEzekiel 37:27.

• Paul has just finished describing how God “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses” (Ephesians 2:5). Because that salvation is entirely by grace (2:8-9), the logical conclusion is introduced with “Therefore.”

• The word looks back to verses 11-18, where Gentiles were “separate from Christ… excluded from the commonwealth of Israel” (2:12), yet brought near “by the blood of Christ” (2:13).

•Romans 5:10 reminds us, “For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…”—the same gracious truth Paul now applies.

• In short, everything that follows flows from the finished work of Jesus; nothing is earned, everything is gifted.

• “Strangers” speaks of those without rights, and “foreigners” of temporary residents. Before coming to Christ, Gentiles had no covenant standing with God or His people (Ephesians 2:12).

•Colossians 1:21 echoes this: “Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds…”

•1 Peter 2:10 puts it plainly: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.”

• Because Christ has torn down “the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14), that outcast status is forever gone. The believer is never again a spiritual outsider.

• The contrast is striking—citizenship instead of alien status. To be a citizen is to belong, to possess rights and protection under the King.

•Philippians 3:20 affirms, “Our citizenship is in heaven,” rooting our identity in God’s kingdom rather than any earthly nation.

•Hebrews 12:22-23 describes this heavenly city: “You have come to Mount Zion… to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” Every Christian shares equal standing with all God’s redeemed, from Old Testament believers (“the saints”) to the newest convert today.

• This citizenship is corporate; no believer is meant to live the Christian life in isolation.

• Paul moves from the political image of citizenship to the intimate image of family. We are not only accepted subjects but beloved children under God’s roof.

•John 1:12-13 declares, “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.”

•Galatians 4:6-7 adds, “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son.”

•1 Timothy 3:15 calls the church “the household of God,” emphasizing shared responsibility, care, and identity.

• In a first-century world where households were places of provision and protection, this assurance meant safety, inheritance, and love within the Father’s family.

Ephesians 2:19 announces the breathtaking results of salvation: because of Christ, believers move from outsider to insider, from alienated strangers to citizens of God’s kingdom and cherished members of His family. The verse assures every Christian of full belonging, shared rights, and intimate relationship with God and with all His people—now and forever.

(19)Strangers and foreigners.--Here the word rendered "stranger" means properlyan alien,or foreigner; while the word translated "foreigners" signifies the resident aliens of an ancient city, who were buthalf-aliens,having free intercourse with the citizens, although no rights of citizenship. The latter word is used literally inActs 7:6;Acts 7:29 (there rendered "sojourner"), and often in the LXX. version; perhaps metaphorically in1Peter 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 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 above,Ephesians 2:12.) "Members of the household of God" refers rather to the union with God, restored by the blood of Jesus Christ. (SeeEphesians 2:13.) As to the metaphor, the word "stranger"--that is,alien--seems to be opposed to "fellowcitizen"; 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 unit in ancient law being always the family, and not the individual. The Gentiles were now brought into a "household," and that household the household of God Himself. . . .