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796 B
796 B
he himself is our peace
The word "himself" here emphasizes that Jesus alone is the reason that Jews and Gentiles can worship God as one peaceful community. Alternate translation: "he is the one who enables us to live in peace with each other"
he made us both one
"he made the Jews and Gentiles one"
By his flesh
"By the death of his body on the cross" or "By dying on the cross" or "By his actions as a mortal man"
he broke down the dividing wall of hostility
Paul is speaking of Jews and Gentiles being hostile to each other and unable to worship God together as if they were on different sides of a wall. Because Jesus died, Gentiles as well as Jews can now worship God. Alternate translation: "he made it possible for Jews and Gentiles not to be hostile to each other anymore"