Ephesians 2:11

Διὸ with reference to the whole preceding paragraph.

μνημονεύετε. There is a striking parallel (noticed by G. H. Whitaker) between this appeal and the appeal to Israel in Deuteronomy 5:15, &c. (cf. also Isaiah 44:21) to remember the condition out of which they had been delivered at the Exodus.

ἐν σαρκί. ‘By nature,’ without any evil connotation. Cf. Galatians 2:20; Romans 2:28.

οἱ λεγόμενοι … τῆς λεγομένης. ‘Bearing the name’ with a suggestion that the reality did not correspond to the name. Cf. 1 Corinthians 8:5, and perhaps 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

περιτομῆς. For the contrast between the material and spiritual circumcision cf. Jeremiah 9:26; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:26 ff. In this group of Epistles St Paul has advanced beyond the standpoint of Gal. and Rom. It is no longer a question of enforcing circumcision on Gentile Christians. He boldly claims that the reality is with the Christian (Philippians 3:3; Colossians 2:11).

χειροποιήτου. This word is uniformly used of the material Temple or Tabernacle (Mark 14:58; Acts 7:48; Acts 17:24; Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 9:24). It is difficult not to believe that it is introduced here in intentional contrast to the Spiritual Temple which is the main subject of this section. The links with St Stephen’s speech throughout this section are remarkable (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:15).