What Does Ephesians 2:8 Mean?

Paul explains that those who trust in Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of salvation. He says this Spirit is the earnest of their inheritance until redemption. He gives thanks for their faith and love and prays that God gives them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. He asks that their understanding be enlightened to know the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power shown in raising Jesus Christ from the dead and setting Him at His own right hand above all principality and power. He says God puts all things under Christ's feet and gives Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body. Ephesians 2: Saved by Grace, One in Christ Paul says believers once walk according to the course of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air. He says they fulfill the desires of the flesh and are by nature children of wrath. He declares that God, who is rich in mercy, makes them alive together with Christ, raises them up together, and seats them in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He says they are saved by grace through faith, not of themselves, not of works, but as the gift of God. He reminds Gentiles that they are once without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. He says that now in Christ Jesus those who are far off are made near by the blood of Christ. He states that Christ is their peace, who makes both one and breaks down the middle wall of partition, abolishing enmity and making one new man. He says Christ reconciles both to God in one body by the cross. Through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father. He declares they are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.