In this text, the apostle Paul reminds his original readers of their past apart from Christ and highlights the fact that, in relationship to God and to God's people, they were outsiders. But then he goes on and contends that the redemptive work of Jesus has radically altered everything; that they have now been brough into right relationship with God but also with the people of God - that Jesus has established peace where formerly their was hostility. The implications of this for the church today are profound. The church is, through the work of Christ, one united people.
