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It was between the Gentiles to whom Paul was first sent (Greeks) in the Acts period and Gentiles like the Ephesians (to whom Paul wrote the letter/Gentiles such as we) and Colossians to whom Paul was later sent.
And here I'd thought the assertion of some that Paul is asserting we are now part of Israel was an extreme.
You have ended up at another one. It's not even the flow of the passage.
They were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel - strangers, foreigners.
But now in Christ, this side of Israel's commonwealth.
This is a spiritual issue as to their having been far off - it is not about Gentiles in some far off land - it is not about geography.
Why would they have even known of, and why would Israel's commonwealth have even mattered if they were off in some foreign land away from all that?
They were calling one another Circumcision and Uncircumcision as a derogatory, just as the Philistines and Israelites in David's day did - these Gentiles knew of Israel's God.
And never mind that Paul preached at some of the synagogues in Ephesus.
I'm not buying this enmity between Gentile and Gentile idea, heir - it is not the flow of the passage.
Ephesians 2 is a short version of Romans 1-3; 9-11; and 15.
Just as this...
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 15:17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
Is Ephesians 2 and 3.
He even mentions his awareness of their possession of a copy of what he had written about these same things before.
Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
You see passages like this one from Romans 15:
15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
When Paul writes things like that, everyone concludes that Paul was preaching a prophesied gospel.
But that is not what Paul is saying whenever he quotes such passages.
Rather, as in 2 Cor. 3, Gal. 3; etc., Paul is doing something only the Lord Himself is found doing in Matt. thru John.
He is extracting a principle contained within those passages he then applies in a different way.
He constantly does this throughout his writings.
The same principle in both aspects of God's Two-Fold Purpose, is different in application within each.
Israel was promised the Holy Spirit - by "covenant unto them."
The Gentile has said promise delivered unto him - the Spirit - but not by "covenant unto them."
Is He the God of the Jews only?
Same principle - same God - different application - different relationship.
This is the thing that differs, that allows all the other things that differ "without controversy."
Leave it out and one ends up with this understanding of yours.
The Mystery itself is based on a principle found that is part of the Prophetic aspect of God's Two-Fold Purpose and by which He allowed Himself to Interplan (sic) the one, in between the other, without breaking His "covenant unto them."
