Vincent Word Studies - Ephesians 2:15

Vincent Word Studies - Ephesians 2:15 - 2:15

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Vincent Word Studies - Ephesians 2:15 - 2:15

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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Having abolished in His flesh the enmity (τὴν ἔχθραν ἐν τῇ σαρκὶ αὐτοῦ καταργήσας)

The enmity immediately follows the middle wall of partition, and should be rendered in apposition with and as defining it, and as dependent on brake down, not on abolished: the middle wall which was the enmity. It is used abstractly, as peace in Eph 2:14. The enmity was the result and working of the law regarded as a separative system; as it separated Jew from Gentile, and both from God. See Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 5:20; Rom 7:7-11. For abolished, see on cumbereth, Luk 13:7, and make without effect, see on Rom 3:3.

The law of commandments contained in ordinances (τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν)

The law, etc., depends in construction on having abolished, and is not in apposition with the enmity, as A.V. The middle wall of partition, the enmity, was dissolved by the abolition of the law of commandments. Construe in His flesh with having abolished. Law is general, and its contents are defined by commandments, special injunctions, which injunctions in turn were formulated in definite decrees. Render the entire passage: brake down the middle-wall of partition, even the enmity, by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments contained in ordinances.

For to make (ἵνα κτίσῃ)

Rev., that He might create. See on created, Eph 2:10. The work was to be a new creation on a new foundation.

In Himself

As the medium of reconciliation.

Of the twain one new man (τοὺς δύο εἰς ἕνα καινὸν ἄνθρωπον).

The Greek is livelier: make the two into one new man. Καινὸν new, emphasizes the new quality; not newness in point of time. See on Mat 26:29.