Ephesians 2: 12 Commentary

“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:” Eph. 2:12.

The word “aliens” appears twice in the NT: Eph. 2:12 and Heb. 11:34. The word used in Hebrews is “al-lot’-ree-os” and translates; “not akin” or “not one’s own” (Strong’s 243) The word used in Ephesians is “ap-al-lot-ree-o’-o” and means “to estrange away” (Strong’s 575).

The word “commonwealth” pol-ee-ti’-ah, (Strong’s 4177) in this verse can be translated “citizenship.” When Paul used the word ap-al-lot-ree-o’-o when writing to the Ephesians it would imply that they once had a relationship with the Lord but were “estrange away,” i.e., divorced.

When God divorced the ten tribes of the northern kingdom they were, in effect, “Gentilized.” In other words, they lost their “citizenship” as God’s people. Paul is not saying that the Ephesians were “not akin” to the citizenship of Israel, he’s saying they were “estranged” from the citizenship of Israel.

In spite of the fact that both words are translated “aliens” in the NT there’s a huge difference in their meanings.

And this is the way Paul addressed the Ephesians when he used the word “ap-al-lot-ree-o’-o” If Paul used the word “al-lot’-ree-os” found in Heb. 11:34 it would have meant that the Ephesians never had a relationship with God in their past. However, that’s not what Paul is saying.

What Paul is saying in Eph. 2:12 is that the Ephesians were estranged-divorced Israelites regaining their citizenship. Here we catch a glimpse of what Paul was talking about in Romans chapters 9, 10 & 11. “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” Rom. 11:23.

By Jeff (wrote 4 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/31/2011 22:35 pm