That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Did the Gentiles who lived before the time of Jesus have the same opportunities to know God as the Jews? Clearly not. Although the Old Testament includes examples of Gentiles who knew God, they weren’t included in the Jews’ unique relationship with God’s covenants and promises. Paul explains their disadvantage in this verse.
But first, allow me to share a few thoughts on the nation of Israel. When God devised his plan to save the human race, he had to choose a people group through whom the Savior would come. He needed to prepare a community and put in place everything necessary so that, when the time came, humanity would be ready and equipped to receive its redeemer. God chose Abraham’s descendants for this task. As a result, they had extraordinary access to the Lord that the rest of the human race didn’t enjoy.
Paul outlines five specific areas where the Gentiles were at a spiritual disadvantage. First, they were “without Christ.” This term means “the Messiah,” or literally, “anointed one.” It refers to the Savior promised throughout the Old Testament. The Gentile nations were unaware of the prophecies concerning the Christ; therefore, they had no expectation of his coming and no connection with him.
Secondly, the Gentiles weren’t members of the commonwealth of Israel and therefore weren’t part of the covenants and the Law through which God revealed himself to the Jewish nation.
Thirdly, they were strangers to the covenant promises that pointed to the coming of a Messiah who would offer salvation to the world.
The next two items are the result of the first three areas Paul mentioned. Because the Gentiles were ignorant of the coming Savior, they didn’t share the hope grounded in the promises of redemption and restoration found in Christ.
And finally, they had no relationship with God. Despite their plethora of idols and “gods”, they had no connection with their Creator, the only true, living God.
The good news is that the story doesn’t end here. Jesus came into the world to save both Jews and Gentiles. God’s plan has always been to restore people from every tribe and nation to himself. Before Christ’s coming, the Gentiles stood outside the covenants and the access to God that the Jews enjoyed. How wonderful that this is no longer the case.