Unity in Christ

11 Therefore remember that [fn]you, once Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “the uncircumcision” by those who call themselves “the circumcision,” which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were apart from Christ at that time, excluded from the citizenship of Israel and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has united both the Jews and Gentiles into one people and has broken down the wall of hostility that divided us. 15 He did this by abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances in order to make peace between the two groups and create in himself one new people. 16 He reconciled both groups to God in one body through the cross, by which he put the hostility to death. 17 He came and preached the good news of peace to [fn]you who were far away [fn]and to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with [fn]Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.