Ephesians 2:11-22
In comparison with the Jewish race, the lot of the Gentile nations was miserable indeed. They had no right to the promises made by the LORD to Abraham and his descendants (Romans 9:4). We were amongst those strangers. Yes, let us remember (v. 11) that sad time when we were without Christ, and in consequence without hope and without God in the world. In this way all we possess now in Him will appear so much the more precious. We have more than a covenant with God: the free gift of peace (Romans 5:1), guaranteed by the presence of the Lord Jesus in heaven. "For he is our peace" (v. 14). He is also the One who made it (v. 14 end) and paid its full price. Finally it is He who preached it (v. 17). He did not want to allow anyone else the privilege of imparting it to His dear disciples on the evening of His resurrection: "Peace be unto you," He said to them (John 20:21; Isaiah 52:7). And He adds: "As My Father hath sent me, even so send I you . . ." We who have heard and believed the good news of the gospel are responsible in our turn to make it known to others.
The end of the chapter shows us the Assembly of God in course of construction (see Acts 2:47), resting on Christ, the chief corner stone, to be His dwelling place down here through the Spirit.