The residents of Ephesus were designated by the apostle Paul in the same manner as that area was addressed by Peter in his two letters. Peter addressed those in Asia minor in the following way.
1Pe 1:1 ¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2Pe 3:1 ¶ This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
These letters were both written to the same people by two different apostles. One of the apostles, Paul, addressed them as gentiles and the other addressed them as those who had covenants with God, Peter. In both cases they were strangers and pilgrims in a strange land, because that is what a foreigner is. Paul gives them the benefits of being "in Christ" a Christian, and Peter points them to the inheritance of peace in their kingdom with Christ when they will be restored. This is just a fact.
Eph211 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past (before Christ came) Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands (the Jews);
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ (in his body) Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
In the economy of God, a member of his people Israel who was in another land and cut off from their covenants and ability to experience the temple worship of Jehovah was considered a gentile. These first Christians were of the extract of Jacob but they were strangers and here we are seeing prophecy being fulfilled that God was going to make them, the north and the south, one again spiritually and later, physically as well. Note this prophecy to the north.
Hosea 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
8 ¶ Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
The gentiles in Romans nine (9) are these people and God through Christ is having mercy on them. Hosea 1 is actually quoted by Paul in that chapter.
The first people in the kingdom of heaven are the Jews and then Israel and then the gentiles. Paul would preach in that region nearly 14 years on his first missionary journey before he headed West to Europe where the gentiles live on his second campaign, directed by God.
God never does anything without a purpose and the separation of Israel into two kingdoms was his way of clearing a path for you and me to be saved today through the open door of faith to the whole world.
Mic 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.
These people are the other flock of John 10. Jesus there is not speaking of the church when he puts Judah and Israel together after gathering them from the four 4) corners of the earth after he purges them.
I know you will probably not put these things together and understand them because your teachers have not taught you about the love of God the Father for Israel.
