Strangers No More

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(A) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(B) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(C) without hope^(D) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(E) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(F) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create^(G) in himself one^(H) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(I) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[a] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(J) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(K) 18} For through him we both have access^(L) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(M) 19} So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(N) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(O) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(P) 22} In him you are also being built together^(Q) for God’s dwelling^(R) in the Spirit.