Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 2:18

"for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father." — Ephesians 2:18 (ASV)

It is solely through Christ that both Jews and Gentiles now have their “access” (GK 4643) to God the Father. This word was sometimes used to designate the official in an oriental court who conducted visitors into the king’s presence. Is this approach to the Father ensured “by one Spirit” (i.e., the Holy Spirit; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13) or “in one spirit” (i.e., the unity in the body of Christ created by the Holy Spirit)? While a case can be made for either, it is best to follow the NIV in referring it to the Holy Spirit, making the trinitarian implications of this verse obvious.