Ephesians 2:11-22

v11-12: It is good for us to consider what we were by nature.  We had no knowledge of Christ and no saving relationship with Him.  We did not belong to God's people and had no hope of eternal life.

v13: But now by faith we have been united to Christ and brought near to Him, to His church, to His promises, to the hope of eternal life, and to God Himself.  "Every believing sinner owes their closeness to God and their enjoyment of his favour to the death and sacrifice of Christ."

v14-15: Jesus Christ by His death has reconciled Jews and Gentiles to each other by removing the "cause of hostility and distance between them," by being the fulfilment of the ceremonial laws.  The church is a new community of believers in Christ, "whether they had been Jews or Gentiles before."

v16-18: We can draw near to God through Jesus Christ and by the help of the Spirit.  "Christ purchased for us permission to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart and strength to come."

v19-22: Every believer in Christ is a temple which God lives in through the Holy Spirit.  "His living with them now is a pledge of their living with him to eternity."