commandments and ordinances, likened to the middle wall of partition, broken down and

abolished, and peace preached to far and near as a direct result of the cross. The central

members "d" speak of enmity, the one showing that it had connection with the flesh and

ordinances, the other that this enmity was slain at the cross.

We must now consider the terms used. We have already called attention to the fact

that sin is nowhere in view in this section, that we are dealing with dispensational

distance. We shall now find that the peace of this epistle, and the enmity of this section,

are also entirely connected with the same aspect, and do not refer to the peace which is

experienced by the sinner upon believing unto life and salvation. As this is important,

and may be seriously questioned if we give no further explanation, we will examine the

subject of peace in the epistle before proceeding. Seven times do we read of "peace" in

this epistle, a significant number, but how fitting! Not only is the number of occurrences

suggestive, but the order in which the passages are written unfolds a line of teaching that

will justify the space occupied by the structure.

A | 1: 2. Peace from the Lord.

B | 2: 14. He is our peace.

B | 2: 15 - 6: 15. Results of this truth.

a | 2: 15. Making peace--connected with unity.

b | 2: 17. Evangelizing peace--to us.

a | 4: 3. Bond of the peace--connected with unity.

b | 6: 15. Evangel of peace--to others.

A | 6: 23. Peace to the brethren.

In Eph. 4: 3 we read, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of the

peace." The article before the word peace seems to compel us to look back to chapter 2:

to find what it is, and by comparing the two chapters together we shall see that the unity

of the Spirit is the realization of the truth expressed in the words, "the both made one";

"the two created into one new man," "the both reconciled in one body to God"; and "the

both having access in one spirit to the Father." Limitation of space, and the demands of

our present subject, prevent us from going further into the intensely interesting

relationship of chapters 2: and 4:; this we hope to deal with in the ordinary course of

our studies in the Epistle. It will be observed that peace was preached not only to those

who were far, but also to those who were near. If the words "far" and "near" referred to

the question of sin and salvation, those "near" would not need peace preached to them.

If, however, the terms "far" and "near" express dispensational position (which is

evidently the meaning as a reference to verses 12 and 13 will show), then the two, both

the Jew and the Gentile, upon the revelation of the mystery, had preached to them a peace

hitherto unknown, and by that peace, as a sacred bond, the unity of the spirit was to be

Peace is necessarily contrasted with enmity. If the enmity be the enmity of sin, the

answering peace will be of the same character.  If the enmity has to do with