Lexical Summary mesotoichon: Middle wall, dividing wall Original Word: μεσότοιχον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a middle wall, dividing wallFrom mesos and toichos; a partition (figuratively) -- middle wall. see GREEK mesos see GREEK toichos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mesos and toichos Definition a middle wall NASB Translation dividing wall (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3320: μεσότοιχονμεσότοιχον, μεσοτοιχου, τό (μέσος, and τοῖχος the wall of a house), a partition-wall: τό μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ (i. e. τόν φραγμόν τόν μεσότοιχον ὄντα (A. V. the middle wall of partition; Winer's Grammar, § 59, 8 a.)), Ephesians 2:14. (Only once besides, and that too in the masculine: τόν τῆς ἡονης καί ἀρετῆς μεσότοιχον, Eratosthenes quoted in Athen. 7, p. 281 d.) Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Immediate Context The term appears once, in Ephesians 2:14: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility” (Berean Standard Bible). Paul places the word at the heart of a paragraph (Ephesians 2:11-22) that describes how Jesus Christ reconciles Jews and Gentiles into “one new man.” The “dividing wall” becomes a vivid symbol of any barrier—ceremonial, cultural, or moral—that once separated the covenant people of Israel from the nations. Historical Background: The Temple Soreg In the first-century Temple complex, a low stone balustrade (the soreg) encircled the inner courts. Greek and Latin inscriptions warned Gentiles that entry beyond that point would bring death. This physical wall embodied the covenant distinctions of the Mosaic era (Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 14:2) and safeguarded holiness within Israel’s worship. Paul had been falsely accused of bringing Trophimus the Ephesian past that barrier (Acts 21:27-29); the episode sharpened his imagery when writing to the church at Ephesus. Paul’s Argument in Ephesians 2 1. Former alienation (Ephesians 2:11-12). The demolished wall signals the end of enmity and the inauguration of equal standing before God. The Law’s ceremonial ordinances, which once functioned like that barrier, have fulfilled their temporary purpose in Christ (Colossians 2:14-17). Related Biblical Motifs • The veil torn at Christ’s death (Matthew 27:51) illustrates direct access to God. Theological Significance Tearing down the wall: Ministry Implications Unity in Christ is not merely positional; it must shape congregational life: Practical Applications for Contemporary Believers 1. Guard gospel purity by resisting any addition of cultural law to faith in Christ. Summary The single New-Testament use of this term crystallizes a monumental truth: Jesus Christ has abolished every wall that once kept people from God and from one another. The church, therefore, lives as the visible temple where former outsiders are now fellow citizens and members of God’s household. Forms and Transliterations μεσοτοιχον μεσότοιχον mesotoichon mesótoichonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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