Who are the Gentiles?

In Epistle to the Ephesians, “Gentiles” comes out in three contexts. In the context about what we used to be, not the citizens of the kingdom of Christ but the Gentiles. And in the context about the Mystery of God which is the salvation that was given to the Gentiles. And the third time, where Paul is commanding the “family in Christ” to not to walk like the Gentiles. So who are the Gentiles? Let us look at the three sections and find out who are the Gentiles through those three perspectives.

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands– remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
- Ephesians 2:11-12

The Citizens of the Kingdom of God

In chapter 2, Paul is describing “the Gentiles” by using two synonyms. We also used to be the Gentiles before Christ died and resurrected us. But by in Him we were made to be the citizens of His kingdom. Which means we became and heir that inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is calling the citizens, family. So by using that word Paul is trying to interrelate the adoption by Jesus Christ and the salvation to the Gentiles. Salvation made the Gentiles true family member of Christ, so they became the citizens and the family member of Christ.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”
- Ephesians 2:19

The New Nation in Christ

So this is the salvation that was given to all of us. Before Christ’s promise was full filled by Him, salvation was made clear only to the Israelites. But by the gospels of Jesus, the Word was spread to more people, not only Jews but also to the Gentiles. We were given the grace that no matter who we are, or where we are from, we inherit the kingdom of God with Jews and the Gentiles. We are the new nation in Christ. So in this letter, Paul is writing the people who used to be the Gentiles to not to walk like they used to but to walk as the new men (4:24) in love.

“… and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
- Ephesians 4:23-24

The Unity of the Family in Christ

So how should we walk as the new men in His love? Paul is teaching us in chapter 5 to walk in love as Jesus loved the church. So the church must have unity in Christ. Walking in unity and love is the way how we have to walk. Which means the Gentiles walk with no unity but vanity. So we have to walk with thanksgiving and love. This is what Paul is commanding the nation of the kingdom of God to walk as one body of Christ. And the unity with love will be shown through husbands’ love to their wives and wives’ submission to their husband. And the children’s obedience to their parents and their parent’s forgiveness to their children. And the servants’ were told to obey their masters and their masters were to do the same to their servants. Because these are all what Jesus did to the church for He loved us.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
- Ephesians 5:25

Being Rooted and Grounded in Love

We are Gentiles no more but we are one in Christ and are the members of His family. So as Paul is teaching and commanding us in this letter, we have to be rooted and grounded in love and keep the unity in the bond of peace.

“… from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
- Ephesians 4:16

What is the Mystery of God?

Paul uses the word “mystery” six times in this letter. When you hear this word, you might think of something vague and unclear. It is vague and unclear, but at the same time, if you read the entire letter, you will find out that “mystery” is revealed so clearly to the people who believes in Christ. And in this letter Paul is teaching us to walk as the people who were revealed what the mystery of God is. It is not a difficult order to walk like that, it seems even normal to do so. But by looking at “how we should walk” through “the mystery of God”, you will be able to find out the significance of this simple order.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…”
- Ephesians 1:7-9

The Mystery of God

So what is “the mystery of God”? As Paul described about it in the first half of this letter, the salvation of Gentiles is the mystery. So Gentiles also became a part of Christ’s body. And the body of Christ is the church and Christ himself is the head. Not only that Gentiles were given the salvation but they also became an heir of the Lord’s kingdom. So there is no difference between their salvation and the Jews’ salvation. They are no more strangers and foreigners but the fellow citizens of God’s kingdom with all the other Christians.

“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
- Ephesians 3:6

Death and Resurrection of Christ

We were once gentiles, before Christ died on the cross and resurrected. But by his death and resurrection, we became the member of His body and the family in Christ. Because His death also is our death and resurrection. So we have no grouping of Gentiles and Jews between us. We all are the people who were revealed the mystery.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”
- Ephesians 2:19

How Should We Walk?

And now we know what the mystery is and who is the people who made known the mystery. Than how should we walk? This is what Paul is writing about in the second half of this letter. He is encouraging the church to walk in love and unity. As you can tell by reading through the chapters, the word “walk” can be found 7 times in Ephesians.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… “
- Ephesians 4:1

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.”
- Ephesians 4:17

The Family in Christ

Us the body of Christ is also called “the family in Christ(2:19)”. So as the family in Christ, wives have to submit to their husband and husband have to love them, because that is what Christ did to us in love. Children are ordered to obey their parents and fathers were told not to provoke their children. Servants have to serve their their masters with good will and masters are ordered to do the same to their servants.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”
- Ephesians 2:19

Paul is writing how we should walk so specifically because those are what Christ did to us in love. So we have to do those things in love and in unity. And these are the concrete orders on how we should walk. We no longer walk as the Gentiles or like the Gentiles but as the citizens of the Kingdom, as one body of Christ in unity and in love.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
- Ephesians 5:1-2

The Apostle to the Gentiles in Galatian

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul is calling himself an “apostle to the Gentiles(2:8)” comparing himself to Peter who was an “apostle to the Jews”. So does that mean that they were preaching two different Gospels?

“…for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles…”
– Galatians 2:8

1:6-2:14 The Truth of the Gospel

As Paul is calling himself an “apostle to the Gentiles(2:8)”, he was called to preach the gospel especially to the Gentiles. So in Paul’s day the gospel was prevalent among big number of people. But at the same time, some Jews forced the Gentiles to be circumcised and also to keep the law of Moses. Because they believed that the circumcision is required for the salvation. So this problem between Jews and Gentiles is one of the key theme in this letter.

2:15-4:11 Justification and the Fulfillment of the Law

Jews believed that salvation will only be given by keeping the mosaic law and performing circumcision. But this ceremonial law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ so salvation was given to all the people who believe in Christ. Not like in the old days when salvation was given to those who kept the old covenant.

So what was the purpose of the Law? One of the purposes was to reveal people’s sins to themselves till the day of the Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. So the law is not something that goes against the promise that was given to Abraham and the seed. The Abrahamic covenant’s promise is that the people will be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. And that is the justification that Paul is speaking of in this letter.

4:12-5:6 Brothers of Christ

The people who believe in God will be Heavenly Father’s children. And they will also be His heir that inherit the kingdom of God with His Son Jesus Christ. And this is the fulfillment of the promise and the salvation. Paul is calling the people who is under the Abrahamic covenant “the son of free woman” in the comparison to “the son of slave woman” who is under the Mosaic law. The son also means the heir so the people who will be saved through faith in Christ will inherit the kingdom of God. Because we are the brothers of Christ. And this is the justification.

5:7-6:16 The Great Commandment

Salvation will be given through the faith in Christ and not through the ceremonial law. But it does not mean that the law was meaningless or bad. Or it does not mean that there is no connection between the faith in Christ and the Mosaic law. But the Mosaic law was summarized into two commandments as Jesus taught the Pharisees in Matthew 22:37-39, “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”. And this is the fulfillment of the Mosaic law that was done by Jesus Christ.

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Matthew 22:37-39

So by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, we still keep the law but not the Mosaic law it self. But the Mosaic law that was fulfilled by Christ. Because Jesus Christ didn’t come to abolish the Law(Matthew 5:17) but to fulfill the law. And so keeping those two commandments of love which is also called “the great ” is the way we should live and walk in the Spirit(5:25).

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
– Galatians 5:25

Video by Miwaza
Photos by Peter Mahar & Miwaza

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Peter Mahar is best known for his life style photography, making his clients feel calm and right at home. His documentary approach enables him to capture the essence of the mood in the moment. He has done a little bit of commercial photography, shooting for a fashion designer, hair salon, and chef. His fresh outlook on life helps his photos stand out from the crowd. (http://www.petermahar.com)