EPH 2:11-12 – “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called 'uncircumcised' by those who call themselves 'the circumcision' (that done in the body by the hands of men)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world."
“Therefore, remember that formerly” – this is a flashback to before the salvation described in v. 7b-10
“you who are Gentiles by birth” – this refers to all nonJews, and brought forward includes Muslims
“and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” - this describes the separation of Israel from the rest of humanity worked by Moses
“(that done in the body by the hands of men)” – this refers to the physical operation of circumcision
“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ” – this refers to “formerly” in v.11
“excluded from citizenship in Israel” – they were separate from the Old as well as the New Covenant
“and foreigners to the covenants of the promise” – this reiterates and combines the previous phrases
“without hope and without God in the world” – except for what could be discerned from creation and conscience per RM 1:20 & 2:14-15
“Therefore, remember that formerly” – this is a flashback to before the salvation described in v. 7b-10
“you who are Gentiles by birth” – this refers to all nonJews, and brought forward includes Muslims
“and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” - this describes the separation of Israel from the rest of humanity worked by Moses
“(that done in the body by the hands of men)” – this refers to the physical operation of circumcision
“remember that at that time you were separate from Christ” – this refers to “formerly” in v.11
“excluded from citizenship in Israel” – they were separate from the Old as well as the New Covenant
“and foreigners to the covenants of the promise” – this reiterates and combines the previous phrases
“without hope and without God in the world” – except for what could be discerned from creation and conscience per RM 1:20 & 2:14-15