What the Bible says about Partition as Sin
(From Forerunner Commentary)
In this context, Paul is speaking specifically to the Gentiles, but in principle, it applies to all of us too—because we too have been far from God. We have been so far from Him that, as Paul writes at the beginning of the chapter, as far as God was concerned, we were dead. He quickened us (made us alive) through knowledge of Himself and His purpose.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)Related Topics: Enmity | Enmity against God | Enmity toward God | Enmity toward God's Law | Gentiles | Partition | Partition as Sin | Reconciliation | Reconciliation with God | Redemption | Separation | Separation from God
People like to construe this "middle wall" as being the law, but this is wrong. The middle wall is sin, the breaking of the law. The law gives strength to sin—because, if there were no law, there would be no sin. Thus, it is not the law that "stands between" but sin (Isaiah 59:2). All the law does is tell people how to live—Jew or Gentile, it does not matter. Peace, which did not exist because of our sins, had to be made; we were at war with God. That separation, the gap caused by sin, is bridged by Jesus Christ.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Unity (Part 6): Ephesians 4 (C)Related Topics: Partition | Partition as Sin | Separation from God | Sin Destroys Peace | Sin Produces Separation