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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Ephesians 2:14 - 2:14
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Eph 2:14. Αὐτὸς) He.[28] We have here Emphasis.[29]-ἡ εἰρήνη) peace, not merely, the peace-maker; for at the cost of Himself He procured peace, and He Himself is the bond of both (Israel and the Gentiles).-ὁ) Apposition: Peace; He who hath made, etc. A remarkable saying, Eph 2:14-18. He imitates poetry [canticum, a song of joy] by the very tenor of the words, and almost by the rhythm.-We have a description-(α.) the union of the Gentiles with Israel, Eph 2:14-15; and then (β.) the union of the Gentiles and Israel, as now one man, with God, Eph 2:15, middle of verse-Eph 2:18. The description of each is subdivided into two parts, so that the first may correspond to the first, concerning the enmity that has been taken away; the second to the second, concerning the ordinances of the Gospel.-τὰ ἀμφότερα, both) The neuter for the masculine, Eph 2:18 [οἱ ἀμφότεροι], properly, because ἓν, one [neuter], follows.-μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ, the partition wall of the fence [the middle wall of partition]) It is called τοῖχος, a wall, because the separating space between [Jews and Gentiles] was very strongly fortified; φραγμὸς, a fence, because it is easily removed at the proper time. The partition wall separates houses; the fence separates tracks of land; comp. Eph 2:19.[30] Therefore the distinction between circumcision and uncircumcision is hinted at. The very structure of the temple of Jerusalem was in conformity with it. The wall and the fence prevent an entrance; and the Gentiles were prevented from entering, inasmuch as they were not permitted to approach so near as the Israelites, even as those who were in the humblest rank.-λύσας, who hath broken down) Who hath broken down-who hath abolished, and not being repeated, very closely cohere. This short clause, and hath broken down, is explained in Eph 2:15, in the first half of the verse; He hath abolished the enmity in His flesh; comp. Eph 2:16, at the end. The law of commandments, which was properly adapted to the Israelites, He hath abolished, in the universal ordinances of grace;[31] comp. Eph 2:17, at the beginning of the verse.
[28] He alone and pre-eminently.-ED.
[29] See App. An addition to the ordinary meaning of a word, with the power of increasing its force on either side.
[30] Where ξένοι refers to the separation of countries by the fence, φραγμὸς: παροικοι to the separation of houses by the μεσοτοιχος, or partition wall; to which are opposed respectively συμπολῖται and οἰκεῖοι.-ED.
[31] But Engl. Vers. takes ἐν δόγμασιν with τῶν ἐντογῶν, “the law of commandments contained in ordinances.”-ED.