Ephesians 3:6 suggests Gentiles are equal heirs—why does this contradict narratives where Gentiles must first follow Jewish customs?

I. The Context of Ephesians 3:6

Ephesians 3:6 declares: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.” In the broader context (Ephesians 2–3), this statement follows the explanation that both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled to God and to one another through Christ, creating a unified body of believers. The apostle Paul underscores that it is faith in Christ alone that unites all people with the promises once originally associated with Israel.

II. Historical Tensions in Early Christianity

Many first-century Jewish believers, accustomed to observing the Law of Moses (including practices such as circumcision, dietary laws, and ritual cleansings), struggled to accept that Gentiles did not need to adhere to the full extent of such Jewish customs to be saved (Acts 15:1–5). Their concerns stemmed from long-standing traditions and covenant identity markers in Jewish culture.

III. Scriptural Teaching on Gentile Inclusion

1. Acts 10 and the Household of Cornelius

Acts 10 recounts how Peter received God’s sign through a vision of unclean animals (Acts 10:9–16) and later witnessed the Holy Spirit poured out on Cornelius and other Gentiles, confirming they were accepted by God apart from Jewish customs (Acts 10:44–48).

2. Acts 15 Council and Apostolic Decision

The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed whether Gentile converts needed circumcision. James, Peter, and the other apostles concluded that God had already accepted the Gentiles (Acts 15:7–11, 19–20). The Council’s decision confirmed Gentile believers were not obligated to become Jewish proselytes to be saved (Acts 15:28–29).

3. Galatians 3:28 on Unity in Christ

Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. This reflects the same principle as Ephesians 3:6, emphasizing that those who trust in Christ, whether of Jewish or Gentile origin, have equal standing in God’s family (Galatians 3:26–29).

IV. Old Testament Foreshadowing of Gentile Inclusion

1. God’s Promise to Abraham

Genesis 12:3 states that “all the families of the earth” would be blessed through Abraham. This covenant expanded beyond Israel to include nations outside the Abrahamic lineage, laying the foundation for the idea that Gentiles would be grafted into God’s plan (cf. Romans 11:11–24).

2. Prophetic Writings

Isaiah 49:6 reads: “I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” This prophetic vision indicates that Gentiles were always part of God’s redemptive plan—an idea fulfilled in Christ.

V. Navigating the Alleged Contradiction

1. Why Some Narratives Seem to Demand Jewish Customs

• Cultural Pressure: In the early church, some believers assumed continuity with Sinai Covenant rituals. For them, turning from these traditions seemed unthinkable.

• Transition Period: During the time that the gospel spread from Jerusalem to other regions, the Church underwent a transition in understanding how Gentiles related to the Law. The narratives where individuals insist on following Jewish customs (e.g., Acts 15:1) reflect the initial resistance to change.

2. Harmonizing with Paul’s Teaching

• Paul’s Focus on Faith in Christ: In Romans 3:29–30, Paul writes that God “will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.” Paul’s consistent teaching is that law-keeping is not the means to salvation for either Jews or Gentiles.

• Jewish Believers’ Voluntary Practices: Paul himself sometimes adhered to certain Jewish customs (Acts 21:20–26). However, these were cultural and evangelistic concessions, not commandments for salvation (1 Corinthians 9:20–22).

VI. Removal of Barriers Through Christ

1. End of Ceremonial Distinctions

Ephesians 2:14–16 explains that Jesus “has made both groups one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility.” This dividing wall refers to the ceremonial and civil regulations that once allowed Israel to remain distinct. Through Christ’s sacrifice, these barriers (which pointed ahead to Him) are fulfilled.

2. Christ as the Law’s Fulfillment

Matthew 5:17 records Jesus saying, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” By fulfilling the Law, Christ achieves what the Law foreshadowed—making atonement for humanity’s sin and unifying believers from every background (cf. Romans 10:4).

VII. The Core Principle: Equal Heirs by Faith

1. Ephesians 3:6 Declares a Unified Inheritance

Faith in Christ grants full membership in the body of redeemed believers. This directly addresses the idea that adherence to Jewish customs could somehow add worth or standing to one’s faith. Scripture affirms that salvation is “by grace through faith… not by works” (Ephesians 2:8–9), and that principle applies to Jew and Gentile alike.

2. Practical Outworking in the Church

Even as varied traditions and cultural differences exist, Christian unity pivots on the confession that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9–10), not on external customs or heritage. This principle challenges any view that seeks to exclude or diminish Gentiles in their full inheritance of God’s promises.

VIII. Conclusion

Ephesians 3:6 shows that Gentiles have equal standing in God’s redemptive plan. While some early narratives depict struggles in the Church over whether Gentiles should follow Jewish customs, the overarching testimony of Scripture—clarified in passages such as Acts 10, Acts 15, Galatians 3, and Romans 3—removes ceremonial and legal barriers. The inheritance in Christ is offered to all, demonstrating that the requirement is faith, not cultural adherence to Jewish practices. This unity testifies to God’s eternal plan of reconciling humanity to Himself through Christ and fulfilling the promises given to Abraham that through him “all families of the earth” would be blessed.