Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 2:13

"But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ." — Ephesians 2:13 (ASV)

But now in Christ Jesus. By the coming and atonement of the Lord Jesus, and by the gospel which he preached.

You who sometimes were far off. Who were formerly—pote. Tindal translates it, a while ago. The phrase far off—makran—means that they were formerly far off from God and his people.

This expression is derived from the custom of speaking among the Hebrews. God was supposed to reside in the temple. It was a privilege to be near the temple. Those who were remote from Jerusalem and the temple were regarded as far off from God, and hence as peculiarly irreligious and wicked .

Are made near. Are admitted to the favor of God, and permitted to approach him as his worshippers.

By the blood of Christ. The Jews came near to the mercy-seat on which the symbol of the Divine presence rested , by the blood that was offered in sacrifice; that is, the high priest approached that mercy-seat with blood, and sprinkled it before God. Now we are permitted to approach him with the blood of the atonement. The shedding of that blood has prepared the way by which Gentiles as well as Jews may approach God, and it is by that offering that we are led to seek God.

The term "sometimes" as used here means "formerly." Regarding "the blood of Christ," compare Hebrews 9:12.