2. We are the partners of Israel: (2:14-18):The Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished peace between both groups of Israel and Gentiles by abolishing the law. The breaking down of the dividing wall which the apostle speaks of, does not consist in setting the law aside, or suspending it by a sovereign, executive act. It is no longer active or binding. Its demands have been fulfilled and satisfied, so that we are judicially free from it; Again`the Apostle Paul says that Christ’s purpose was that He might reconcile the two, united in one body, to God, by means of the cross. The goal achieved was reconciliation with God. The subjects of this reconciliation are the church, the one body into which Jews and Gentiles are merged. Now they are members together of one body(4:4).
Further the Lord Jesus proclaimed peace to those who were far off and as well as to those who were near.The preaching is the annunciation of the favour of God made by Christ. Christ announced that peace with God had been accomplished through cross for the Gentiles and as well as for the Jews.
The proof of the peace is that both can have free access to God. If Jesus had not come, we would never had the access to God. It clearly says that the peace procured through the death of Christ was designed for the both Jews and Gentiles.
3. We are the people of God: (2:19): Yes now we are no more aliens or foreigners, but fellow citizens and members of God’s household. Because Christ is in us and the world is seeing Christ through us. The consequences of the reconciliation are that the Gentiles are now citizens of Heaven and also members of the household of God and part of that temple in which God dwells by his Spirit. Previously, we were strangers and aliens but now we are citizens.
4. We are the pillars of the temple: (2:20-22): We can become the pillars of the temple built by God. In the Book of Genesis, God “walked” with His people (Gen. 5:22,24; 6:9). In Exodus God dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-38) among His people, until Israel’s sins caused “the glory to depart” (1 Sam. 4). Then God dwelt in the temple (1 Ki.8:1-11); but again Israel sinned and the glory departed (Ezek. 10:18-19). God’s next dwelling place was the body of Christ (Jn.1:14), which men took and nailed to a cross. Today, through His Spirit, God dwells in the church, the temple of God. God does not dwell in man-made temples, including church buildings (Acts 7:48-50). He dwells in the hearts of those who have trusted Christ (1 Cor. 6:19-20), and in the church collectively.
Jesus Christ is the Foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) and the Chief Cornerstone (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 8:14). The cornerstone binds the structure together; Jesus Christ has united Jews and Gentiles in the church. The Jews would think of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem, and the Gentiles would think of the great temple of Diana. Both temples were destined to be destroyed, but the temple that Christ is building will last forever. “I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matt. 16:18). The Holy Spirit builds His temple by taking dead stones out of the pit of sin (Ps. 40:2), giving them life, and setting them lovingly into the temple of God (1 Pet.2:5). This temple is fittingly framed together so that every part of it accomplishes the purposes God.