Eph. 2: 16 will be proof against any attempt to teach universal reconciliation irrespective

of the limitations of the Mystery, or from the related theme in Col. 1: 16-22.

`In the flesh' finds its echo in Eph. 3: 5 `in Spirit', which, when we reach that

passage, we hope to show stands at the head of the threefold fellowship of verse six.

While the flesh in all men is the same, yet it did not disqualify the Jew as we have seen in

Rom. 9: 3-5, from dispensational privilege, but it did the Gentile. What depths of

degradation and misery are found in the words `in the flesh' and `in the world', and

between them lies the whole case of Gentile disability, contained in the terms

uncircumcision, without Christ, aliens, strangers, no hope, and without God.

`Without Christ' choris Christou. As the A.V. stands we are likely to look at the

two expressions `without Christ' and `without God' as being very similar. The word

translated `without God' is atheoi, to which we will return presently. What does `without

Christ' mean?  Out of its context it would spell simply damnation, and utter and

irrevocable loss; but in the confines of the subject before us it rather emphasizes the fact

that, whereas `according to the flesh' "Christ came" from Israel, the Gentile had no such

hope or privilege. The Scriptures had plainly revealed that the promised Seed of the

woman, should come through the line of David, of the tribe of Judah; consequently

Gentiles as such were `without a Messiah', Dr. J. Armitage Robinson reads verse twelve: