Grammar and Vocabulary

Lexical Information

The Greek phrase τὸ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ is translated in various ways: NASB: “barrier of the dividing wall”; NIV: “the barrier, the dividing wall” NIV; “middle wall of separation” ASV. Though the Greek word μεσότοιχον is not used in the NT or LXX, extra-Biblical material confirms that “dividing wall” correctly carries the sense of the term. φραγμός is used several times in the NT (3 other times, all in the gospels) and LXX (24 times). In each case it refers to a “wall” or “fence” used to keep intruders out 

Grammatical and Syntactical Issues

The major grammatical question in this section is what is the relationship of the “demolished the dividing wall” to two following phrases “the enmity” (τὴν ἔχθραν) and “abolishing the law of commandments” (τὸν νόμον τῶν ἐντολῶν ἐν δόγμασιν καταργήσας). The following layout of Eph. 2:14-15 is helpful for examining the grammatical relationships.

Word-for-word English Translation
A  he is our peace
  B    who has made both one
   C       breaking down the dividing wall of hostility
    D           the enmity, in his flesh
   C'       making powerless the law of the commandments
  B'   from two one new man
A'  making peace

From this layout, it appears that “peace” (A and A') and “two made one” (B and B') are in a chiastic structure. If this is true, then it possible that “breaking down the diving wall” and “making powerless the law” (C and C') are meant to be seen as parallel ideas. “The enmity” (τὴν ἔχθραν) could be taken as a separate but parallel idea (D), in apposition to the wall (C) or in apposition to the Law (C'). Different English translations bring out these options: 

1. “the wall of enmity” (REB, NAB, NIV)
2. “the dividing wall, that is the enmity” (NRSV, NEB)
3. “the hostility, that is the law” (NJB, NASB, NKJV)

Choices (1) and (2) are closely related because they both equate “the wall” with “the hostility.” Translation (3) sees the “enmity” as instead relating to the “the Law.”

Major Interpretive Options

From the above grammatical constructions, there are two major interpretive options: that the wall is a cosmic division between God and humankind (supported by options 1 and 2) or that the wall is a relational division between Jew and Gentile (supported by all three options). Both interpretations find support from the immediate context (Eph. 2:16 discusses reconciliation with God, Eph. 2:11 discusses the separation between Jew and Gentile caused by circumcision) so neither can be immediately discarded.  If Paul’s intended referent is the Jew/Gentile divide then we must also ask what the cause of this division is. It may refer to the actual wall in the temple that excluded Gentiles from entrance. It may also refer more specifically to the Jewish Law (Eph. 2:15).  The wall also could be more of a metaphorical wall, summarizing the problems in Jew/Gentile relations.