Ephesians 2:19

‘So then you are no more strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God.’

Paul could not make clearer that all believers now form the new Israel. Previously they were ‘alienated from the commonwealth of Israel’, now they are fellow-citizens with ‘the saints’ (an Old Testament word for the true Israel). Previously they were strangers to the covenants of promise, now they are no longer ‘strangers and sojourners’. Previously they were ‘without God’, now they are ‘of the household of God’. Previously they were separate from Christ, now they are ‘in Christ’ (Ephesians 2:14) and joined into God’s Temple with Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Thus they have been made a part of the new Israel, the ‘Israel of God’ (Galatians 6:16).

‘Strangers and sojourners.’ The ‘strangers’ were those who passed through Israel making only a temporary stay, possibly also having in mind ‘God-fearers’ (Gentiles interested in Jewish teaching but unwilling to be circumcised), while the sojourners were more permanent, but in the later period were never accepted fully as true Jews (unless they were circumcised and entered into the covenant by becoming proselytes). It possibly also indicate these proselytes (Gentiles willing to be circumcised and become ‘Jews’) who, while theoretically accepted as full Jews, never felt themselves as fully accepted in practise. Basically it represents all who have a sense of being separated from the people of God.

‘Fellow-citizens with the saints.’ They now have total equality with, and the same standing as, the Old Testament saints, the people of believing Israel (Deuteronomy 33:3; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 16:3 and often in the Psalms; Daniel 7:0 often). As fellow-citizens (sunpolitai) they are members of the commonwealth (politeia) of Israel.

‘And of the household of God.’ They now belong especially to God’s own household (compare Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22) which was large and widespread), and therefore especially and recognisably His. Thus they now have an intimate knowledge of God in contrast with being ‘without God’. They are as close as anyone can be.

So the believing Gentiles are now joined with Christ, are members of the new commonwealth of Israel, are partakers in the covenants of the promise, have much hope, and have access into God’s presence through the Spirit. They are His people (compare 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).