For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
Truth to Learn
We now have access to God through the new covenant.
Behind the Words
The word translated “peace” is eirēnē, which means “peace or tranquility.” The root of this word is probably the verb eirō, which means “to join.” Hence, to be at peace with someone implies that you are joined together with them for your mutual benefit. It does not simply imply a passive act (that you leave each other alone) but an active one (that you join together with another person to produce good).
“Both” is translated from amphoteros, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amphō, meaning “the two.” Therefore, amphoteros means “each of two” or “both.”
The words “broken down” are from the verb luō, which literally means “to loosen,” “to dissolve,” or “to destroy.”
Mesotoichon (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated “middle wall.” It is a compound word made up of mesos, meaning “middle” and toichos, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon literally refers to “an inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.”
“Separation” is from phragmos, which is derived from the verb phrassō, meaning “to enclose with a fence or a hedge.” Phragmos refers to a “fence intended to keep someone out.”
Meaning Explained
In yesterday’s verse we learned that Gentiles were not included in the covenant made between God and Abraham. But, we also learned that God abolished the old covenant and created a new one, sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Now we learn that because of this new covenant, He (Jesus) is our peace. Paul is not talking here about the same personal sense of peace which he told the Philippian Christians about,
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
The peace that Paul is talking about here is the peace between Jews and Gentiles. We are now joined together in a special way. Paul explains this peace further by saying that both Jews and Gentiles have been made one and that the partition separating us from one another has been dissolved.
In the middle of the courtyard of the former Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, a special partition wall divided the court of the Gentiles from the court of Israel. On that wall was an inscription forbidding Gentiles from going any further. That wall was symbolic of the partition wall separating Jews and Gentiles. However, the partition between us has now been demolished by the new covenant through the blood of Jesus.
Application
Mankind no longer has to practice all the ordinances of the Jewish faith in order to be children of God. Through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we are cleansed of our sins and we are adopted into His family.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved
