Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Quickly and eagerly Paul turns from the tragedy of the Gentiles’ former desolation to the joy of their reconciliation in Christ. “But now” stands in sharp antithesis to v.12. They are no longer “separate from Christ” (v.12) but “in Christ Jesus.” He is the sphere of their new possibilities. The historical name “Jesus” is added at this point to suggest that he is not only the anticipated Messiah of the Jews but the Savior of all (see comment on Mt 1:21). Those who trust in him possess a present salvation as well as a future hope.

“Far away” and “near” are words that describe the position of Gentiles and Jews (the original reference in Hebrew related to distance from Jerusalem). God’s word of peace to both groups is recorded in Isa 57:19 and is fulfilled through the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary (cf. 1:7; 2:15–17).