Paragraph 2:14–18
In order to unite Jews and Gentiles, Christ had to remove two things: the hatred between them and the Jewish law. He did this through his death on the cross. He died for both groups. So he united them and made peace between them. So now all believers of whatever race can come near to God.
2:14a
He Himself is our peace: The pronoun He refers to Christ. In Greek, this pronoun is emphatic. So the Berean Standard Bible has translated it as He Himself.
our peace: In these verses the word peace refers to a good relationship or understanding between people. Christ has made peace between the Jews and non-Jews.
Some commentators think that Paul was also talking about the fact that Christ has made peace between God and mankind. But in 2:11–15 Paul is specifically talking about how Christ united the Jews and non-Jews.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
For Christ himself has brought us peace (Good News Translation)
-or-
Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Because Christ has made it possible for the Jews and Gentiles to live in harmony
See how you translated peace in 1:2.
2:14b–2:15a
The Greek grammar in this passage is difficult, and commentators and versions differ as to the exact meaning. However, the general meaning is clear: Christ has destroyed that which separated the Jews and Gentiles.
As you study this passage in different English versions, focus on the following seven elements and how they are connected. These elements are listed in the order in which they appear in Greek.
(a) made the two one
(b) the dividing wall
(c) destroyed
(d) hostility
(e) in his flesh
(f) the law
(g) having abolished
All English versions agree that:
(b) the dividing wall and (c) destroyed
go together.
All English versions also agree that:
(f) the law and (g) having abolished
go together.
The main difference in English versions is to which part of the verse (d) “hostility” and (e) “in his flesh” are connected. Different options for each of these clauses are discussed below.
2:14b
the two: The phrase the two refers to the two groups of people in this passage: the Jews and Gentiles.
one: The word one here refers to one group of people, the church. Some translations make this explicit. For example:
one people (Good News Translation)
the dividing wall: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the dividing wall is literally “the wall of separation.” See the General Comment note below for more information.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
the wall which separated them (Good News Translation)
hostility: The word hostility means “hatred.” There are two views regarding to which part of the text it is connected:
(1) It is connected to the word wall. For example:
…he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (New Living Translation (2004))
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)
(2) It is connected to the word law in 2:15a. For example:
14b by destroying in his own person the hostility, 15a that is, the Law of commandments (New Jerusalem Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.
General Comment on the phrase the dividing wall of hostility
Paul used these words as a metaphor. The hatred between Jews and Gentiles was like a barrier between them. You could translate the phrase “the dividing wall of hostility” something like this:
The Jews and non-Jews were hostile towards each other. It was as if there was a wall that kept them apart.
-or-
The Jews and Gentiles hated each other. It was as if there was a wall that separated them.
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