Ephesians 2:11–22 stands at the heart of Paul’s vision for the ekklesia. Having just declared that salvation comes by grace through faith and not through human boasting, Paul now addresses one of the greatest questions facing the first-century community of believers: How can Jews and Gentiles truly become one people in Messiah without erasing the covenantal story of Israel? Give a listen!

The Apostle Paul writes as a Jewish apostle to a mixed community of Jews and Gentiles, articulating a vision that is both continuous with the story of Israel, and radically expansive in its scope. He begins with the language of unity in Messiah, as speaking to a family: “our,” “us,” and “we.” This is a reference to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Messiah, in whom believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). Give a listen!