Note 2 at Eph. 2:12: In verses 11 and 12, Paul is describing the complete hopelessness of all Gentiles before Jesus opened the door of salvation unto them. The reason for this is to remind them (see note 1 at v. 11, above) of how completely their salvation was a work of God's grace (see note 20 at v. 8, p. 1104). They had no covenant with God that promised them redemption. They were foreigners to God's kingdom with no hope of the situation ever changing. It was totally God's mercy, and their response of faith to the grace that was offered, that brought them salvation. So, how could they ever think they obtained salvation through some virtue of their own?

Note 3 at Eph. 2:12: Of course, God is everywhere. When Paul said they were "without God in the world," he was speaking of the effect God was having on their lives. As far as their experience was concerned, it was as though God didn't exist. The Lord doesn't impact our lives sovereignly. We have to invite the Lord's deliverance in our lives through faith. No faith equals no invitation and no intervention.

Notice that Paul links the separation from the covenant of God with being "without God in the world." This illustrates that God deals with us through His covenant words. Those who seek to find the Lord apart from the revealed scripture will wind up "without God."