by Harry BuererIn the second chapter of Ephesians there is a passage that trips up a lot of readers. It seems to say that the law was abolished. Let’s look at this passage and see what Paul was really talking about.
In the familiar verses 8-10 Paul points out that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. Then in verse ten he clarifies that we are created to do good works, lest anyone think that works were not important.
In verses 11-13 he discusses the situation of Gentiles; they were once excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants. But those who believe in Christ and his work are no longer in that state. They are included in Israel and the covenants. (cp. v. 19)
But in verses 14 and 15 we get the passage that is so often misunderstood. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one (Jew and Gentile) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.” With a translation like this, it is natural to think that Paul is claiming that the law has been abolished.
There are a couple of problems with this understanding. Paul emphasized in Romans 3:31 that faith does not nullify the law. He uses the strongest possible epithet to declare that. We could translate it, “Absolutely Not!” Also he uses the same Greek word in both passages for abolish or nullify – katargeo.
So we know that Paul did not consider the law to be nullified or abolished. What then did he mean by his statement?
It’s clear that the main thing he’s talking about is the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. This wall has been destroyed through the death of Jesus, as he points out in verse 16. The result is that both Jews and Gentiles are together as one new man.
The law clearly had a part in this separation between Jew and Gentile. Paul pointed out in Romans 3:2 that the Jews have a great advantage over Gentiles in that they were entrusted with the very words of God. They had the instructions about how to live in a way that was pleasing to God. The Gentiles for the most part were unfamiliar with these instructions about how to live.
The law has also played a part in the hostility that Gentiles have historically held toward Jews. Unfortunately, Christians have been guilty of antisemitism as much as any other group throughout history. Jews lived differently than others and considered themselves a people chosen by God. Thus others hated and persecuted them. This hostility is alluded to by Paul in verses 14 and 16.
Given the context and Paul’s other statements, it’s fair to conclude that what has been abolished is the law’s role as a barrier, a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. That seems to be the emphasis of the passage.
When you think about it, was the wall destroyed in order to let the Jews out or to let the Gentiles in? Is it God’s intention that the Jews give up their heritage of revelation and live like Gentiles? Or did he intend to let believing Gentiles in to join with Israel in living lives according to God’s instructions? The answer seems obvious.
The bulk of the passage in Ephesians 2 and other places in Paul’s writings talks of Gentiles being brought near, joining with Israel, and being grafted into the Jewish olive tree. The unique possession of the Jews is God’s self-revelation in his law. That is now available to the Gentiles as well.
If more evidence is needed, Paul goes on in the fourth chapter of Ephesians to exort his readers (and insist on it) that they no longer live as the Gentiles do. Since he is speaking to Gentiles who lived like this in the past, what is the change he is looking for?
The obvious antonym of living like Gentiles is living like Jews. Paul is implying here that once Gentiles have believed in Jesus, they should change their lifestyle to a non-Gentile (i.e. Jewish) one and live according to God’s instructions to his covenant people, of whom they are now a part.