Ephesians 2:13

"But" points to another great contrast (cf. Ephesians 2:4). Because of Jesus Christ’s death (blood) God has brought Gentiles near to Himself and to the Jews in a sense never before true. The rabbis spoke of Gentiles who were far from the privileges of the Mosaic Covenant as "brought near" by becoming proselytes. [Note: For the original sources, see Abbott, p. 60.] Sin results in death and separation. However, Christ’s obedience resulted in life and reconciliation with other people as well as with God for Gentiles. Perhaps Paul referred to the blood of Christ to correct the Gnostic denial of Christ’s real humanity. [Note: Robertson, 4:526.]

There is obvious continuity between the redeemed people of God in the Old Testament and the redeemed people of God in the New Testament. However here Paul stressed the differences between these two groups. [Note: See Carl B. Hoch Jr., "The New Man in Ephesians 2," in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church, pp. 98-126.] Covenant theology stresses the continuity between the two groups whereas dispensational theology stresses the differences between them. Many covenant theologians deny these differences.