PARTITION, MIDDLE WALL OF (τὸ̀ μεσότοιχον τοῦ φραγμοῦ). The phrase occurs only in Ephesians 2:14 KJV. The RSV renders it DIVIDING WALL OF HOSTILITY.

In the context, Paul addresses Christians of both the Jewish and Gentile background. Between these Christians there had been a dividing wall, not literally but socially, thus segregating them. The division was seen in the church in many places (cf., Gal 2:11ff.; Acts 15:5ff.).

Every usage of the term φραγμός, G5850, in the NT is in the sense of a fence or enclosure. Jesus used the term to describe a wall around a vineyard (Matt 21:33; Mark 12:1). Within the enclosure of God’s people, Jews and Gentiles, Paul spoke of a middle wall that divided God’s people. In Christ this middle wall was broken down; i.e., there was now no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile in Christ’s kingdom.

In the Temple area, there was literally a wall that segregated Gentiles from Jews. No Gentile was allowed to cross that dividing line. However illustrative of the point Paul was making, this was not the wall (literally) about which Paul spoke. The dividing wall of which he spoke was far more formidable, being a wall of blind prejudice.