by the rhythm. — We have a description — (a.) the union of the Gentiles with Israel, ver. 14, 15; and then (j3.) the union of the Gentiles and Israel, as now one man, with God, ver. 15, middle of verse— ver. 18. The description of each is subdivided into two parts, so that the first may correspond to the first, concern ing the enmity that has been taken away ; the second to the second, concerning the ordinances of the Gospel. — rn a/j,<p6repa,, both) The neuter for the masculine, ver. 18 [o/ a/jt,<p6rzpoi~], pro perly, because ev, one [neuter], follows. — /^sfforoi^ov rov <ppay/uov, the partition wall of the fence [the middle wall of partition^) It is called rofyog, a wall, because the separating space between [Jews and Gentiles] was very strongly fortified ; p/?ay//^, a fence, because it is easily removed at the proper time. The partition wall separates houses ; the fence separates tracks of land ; comp. ver. 19.1 Therefore the distinction between cir cumcision and uncircumcision is hinted at. The very structure of the temple of Jerusalem, was in conformity with it. The wall and the fence prevent an entrance; and the Gentiles were prevented from entering, inasmuch as they were not permitted to approach so near as the Israelites, even as those who were in the humblest rank. — Xu<rag, who hath broken down) Who hath broken down — ivho hath abolished, and not being repeated, very closely cohere. This short clause, and hath broken down, is ex plained in ver. 15, in the first half of the verse ; He hath abolished the enmity in His flesh ; comp. ver. 16, at the end. The law of commandments, which was properly adapted to the Israelites, He hath abolished, in the universal ordinances of grace ;2 comp. ver. 17, at the beginning of the verse.
15. TW t-^Qpav, enmity) The Jews held the Gentiles in abomi nation ; the Gentiles treated the Jews with scorn on account of circumcision, the Sabbath, etc. — sv rip ffapx,} alrov, in His flesh) So, in one body, ver. 16, [i.e. by His suffering and death. — V. g.] — TOV vopov ruv SVTOA.UV) the law of commandments, viz. ceremonial. — sv doy^affi, in ordinances, in decrees) belonging to
1 Where %&VQI refers to the separation of countries by the fence, iroteotKoi to the separation of houses by the peaoToix,o$, or partition wall ; to which are opposed respectively avpTro'/Cnai and olxs'ioi. — ED.
2 But Engl. Vers. takes ev loypuaiv with ruv tvro'huv, " the law of com mandments contained in ordinances." — ED.