Ephesians 2:15

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace.

Abolished in his flesh ... The thought here is similar to that in Hebrews 10:20, where the new and living way is said to have been opened up through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, thus lending probability to the view of Russell that Paul was referring to the veil of the temple ("middle wall" in Ephesians 2:14) which was torn when Christ died. He said:

Regarding the "middle wall of partition ..." This probably is a symbolical reference to the partition in the temple which set apart the court of the Gentiles. Its destruction was typified in the rending of the veil of the temple at the time of the crucifixion (Matthew 27:51).[43]

Abolished the enmity ... "No iron curtain, color bar, class distinction or national frontier of today is more absolute than the cleavage between Jew and Gentile in antiquity."[44] Christ abrogated, annulled and replaced the entire Jewish system with another institution, that of the New Covenant, in which all former distinctions were canceled.

Abolished ... the law of commandments ... This refers to the totality of the entire Jewish system of religion, and is not restricted in meaning to "the ceremonial law," or any lesser part of Judaism. All of that system was nailed to the cross of Christ. See my Commentary on Hebrews, Hebrews 8:8ff.

That he might create ... The spiritual creation "in Christ" is of equal rank in the holy Scriptures with the creation of the universe itself, as recorded in Genesis.

In himself of the twain ... "The twain" are the Jews and the Gentiles, both of whom are now united as one new man "in Christ."

So making peace ... Thus the key words of Isaiah 57:19-21 continue to sparkle in Paul's writings here: them that are far off ... them that are near ... peace ...

[43] John William Russell, op. cit., p. 477.

[44] F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 54.