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For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n We now have access to God through the new covenant.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cpeace<\/span>\u201d is eir\u0113n\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cpeace or tranquility.\u201d The root of this word is probably the verb eir\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto join.\u201d 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).<\/p>\n \u201cBoth<\/span>\u201d is translated from amphoteros<\/em><\/span>, which is an inclusive comparative form of the word amph\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthe two.\u201d Therefore, amphoteros<\/em><\/span> means \u201ceach of two\u201d or \u201cboth.\u201d<\/p>\n The words \u201cbroken down<\/span>\u201d are from the verb lu\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cto loosen,\u201d \u201cto dissolve,\u201d or \u201cto destroy.\u201d<\/p>\n Mesotoichon<\/em><\/span> (used only here in the New Testament) is the Greek word translated \u201cmiddle wall.\u201d It is a compound word made up of mesos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cmiddle\u201d and toichos<\/em><\/span>, which refers to the wall of a building (a different word, teichos<\/em><\/span> refers to the wall of a city). Thus, mesotoichon<\/em><\/span> literally refers to \u201can inner separating wall, as opposed to a protective wall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeparation<\/span>\u201d is from phragmos<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the verb phrass\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto enclose with a fence or a hedge.\u201d Phragmos<\/em><\/span> refers to a \u201cfence intended to keep someone out.\u201d<\/p>\n In yesterday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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,<\/p>\n 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.<\/span> (Philippians 4:6-7<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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