Ephesians 2:14

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to a mixed Jewish-Gentile congregation in Ephesus, pivoting from their former distance (v. 13) to the concrete mechanism by which Christ closed the gap.

The words — εἰρήνη (eirēnē, "peace") is the subject complement: Christ is not a peace-maker but peace itself, the thing that was once the missing condition between the two groups.

The thread — The same logic runs through Galatians 3:28 (no Jew/Greek in Christ) and Colossians 3:11 (no circumcised/uncircumcised), while Colossians 3:15 names the peace of Christ as the ruling principle of one body.

Why it lands — The wall is described as already torn down; the verse asks the reader to stop treating the division as a live problem to be negotiated and start acting from the fact that it no longer stands.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Cross-references

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace
1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 2:10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”