The Far Off Made Near Ephesians 2:13

Paul the apostle referred to the Jews as the “circumcised” and the “Gentiles” as the “uncircumcised” as he reminded the Ephesians they were “aliens” and “strangers” “in time past” before they knew Jesus as their Savior. In chapter two and verse thirteen of his letter, Paul tells the Ephesians how they were “far off” from God and are now “made near by the blood of Christ” where we read:

But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.

The verse begins, “But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off ...” Paul began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just written, “moreover, nevertheless, even and also”, “now in Christ” who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “you who sometimes” or “formerly, aforetime or at some time in the past” “were far off” or “at a distance and of remote regions”. Paul shared the first part of a contrasting Gentile position which placed them “far off” from a relationship with God.

The verse goes on to say, “...are made near by the blood of Christ.” Paul continued, “are made near” or “become near of place, position and access to God” “by the blood” which refers to “the bloodshed by violence, slaying and murder” “of Christ” who is “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Though the Gentiles were “far off”, through the “shed blood” of Jesus Christ they now had “access, position and place with God”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see once again the far reaching “grace” of God. Though the “Gentiles” were “estranged” from God without any hope of a relationship with Him, Jesus Christ shed His blood to bring them “close” to Himself. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, everyone has access to God whether Jew or Gentile. Praise be unto His Holy Name.

Next time Paul shares how Jesus is “our peace” and has “broken down every wall”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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