Ephesians 2:12

Being aliens [α π η λ λ ο τ ρ ι ω μ ε ν ο ι]. Rev., better, giving the force of the verb, alienated. As they had once been otherwise. Paul speaks ideally of a spiritual commonwealth in which Jew and Gentile were together at peace with God, and of which the commonwealth of Israel is a type.

Israel. Selecting the most honorable title to describe the Jew. See on Acts 3:12. The reference is to the spiritual rather than to the national distinction. In being separated from Christ, they were separated from that commonwealth in which, according to the promise, Christ would have been to them, as to the faithful Israelites, the object of their faith and the ground of their salvation.

Covenants. The several renewals of God's covenant with the patriarchs.

Of promise [τ η ς ε π α γ γ ε λ ι α ς]. Better, the promise. The messianic promise, which was the basis of all the covenants.

Without God [α θ ε ο ι]. God - forsaken. It might also mean godless or impious. The gentile gods were no gods.