Peace Preached to Those Which Were Far Off Ephesians 2:17

Paul the apostle explained how God Almighty through Jesus Christ His son “abolished in his flesh, the law of commandments” which separated the Jews and Gentles. Because Jesus died on the cross, the detachment between the Jews and Gentiles was brought together into “one” having “slain the enmity” or “hatred” thereby. In chapter two and verse seventeen of his letter, Paul shared how he “came and preached peace” to them “which were afar off, and to them that were” near where we read:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

The verse begins, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, ...” Paul began, “And came” which literally means “to appear, make an appearance and come before the public” “and preached” which means “” “peace” or “rest and quietness” “to you” which refers to the Ephesians and Gentiles “which were afar off” or “far, a great way and far hence” from a relationship with God. Paul was commissioned to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by “preaching” to everyone who lived regardless of whether their position was “far” away from God.

The verse goes on to say, “... and to them that were nigh.” Paul continued, “and to them that were nigh” which is one Greek word “eggys” and refers to “the Jews who were near of place and position”. Though the Jews were “close” or “near” to God because of the advantage of the “commandments”, they were also included in the “preaching” of “peace” which is available through Jesus Christ.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see God's desire to have both Jews and Gentiles in a relationship with Him. He sent Paul to “preach” the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone whether they had the advantage of the “law of God” or not. God loves everyone, and His desire is to save every person in the world. The question becomes, “will they submit to His offer of Salvation?” May all who read these words realize God's love and desire to be their Savior and Lord.

Next time Paul shares how both Jews and Gentiles have “access by one Spirit unto the Father”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.