14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
14 For
“For” explains verses 11 to 13. Christ made possible our coming near to God by His death for our sins.
He Himself is our peace [harmony],
The word translated for “He Himself” is emphatic. He alone and no one else is our peace. Jesus is the only one who could make peace with God. His death on the cross reconciled people to God.
Jesus makes peace between Jew and Gentile believers. We find “peace” four times in chapter two (verses 14, 15,and 17—2 times). “Peace” is more than cessation of hostility; it also includes the idea of wellbeing. Our relation to Jesus brings peace.
who has made both one,
The Lord made both Jew and Gentile one in God’s eyes. The church is neither Jew nor Gentile; it is a new entity.
and has broken down [abolished] the middle wall of separation,
The “wall” here is spiritual enmity between Jew and Gentile. Jesus broke down this wall of hatred between both groups with one fell swoop (aorist). He did this by His death on the cross.
The wall was the Mosaic law. It separated Jews from Gentiles both religiously and socially, resulting in hostility between them. Christ’s death fulfilled the law in every respect. This took away the issue of hostility over keeping the law (Co 1:22). Jesus abolished the judgment of the law on believers. Christians are now judicially free from the penalty of the law (Ro 8:34).
PRINCIPLE:
Jesus alone gives a new identity to those who believe in Him.
APPLICATION:
Jesus brings peace to relationships. He brings peace both vertically with God and horizontally with man. Those “in Christ” are no longer Jew or Gentile; believers occupy a new status before God. God does not recognize distinction in the body of His church. God places all believers on par with each other.
Sin is at the root of disharmony, which is, at foundation, self-centeredness (Jas 4:1-3). Self-centeredness disrupts relationships. If we must always have our own way, we will end in conflict with those close to us.
