Ephesians, Class 21

In class 21, Paul offers two negatives paralleled by two positives in this verse. Before Christ, Paul's Gentile readers were unknown outsiders. They had no connection to God, being spiritually dead and not part of His chosen nation of Israel. These flaws were replaced with blessings at the point of salvation.
First, they are "fellow citizens." In the Roman Empire, Roman citizenship was essential (Acts 16:37-38; 21:39; 22:25-29; 23:27). Citizens of a nation have rights and benefits which non-citizens do not enjoy. A person could be born a citizen or earn citizenship at a price. Through salvation in Jesus, these Gentiles were now citizens in the family of God, along with all other believers. Paul also mentioned the believer's heavenly citizenship in Philippians 3:20.
Second, they were now family members. Though the Greek word for household could refer to family members and household servants, the focus here is on being a valued family member. Saved Gentiles were now official citizens of God's kingdom and were members of His family, equal to all other believers.
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