Ephesians 2:17 - He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ephesians 2:17" mean?
Ephesians 2:17, "He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near," is a powerful statement about the reach and effect of Jesus Christ's message. Let's break it down:
"He came..." This refers to Jesus Christ. Although he physically walked the earth in a specific time and place, the verse is speaking about his work of reconciliation through his death and resurrection, which continues to be relevant.
"...and preached peace..." The "peace" here is not simply the absence of conflict. It's a much deeper concept – reconciliation with God. It signifies a restored relationship, wholeness, and harmony. This reconciliation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sins that separated humanity from God. The "preaching" is not just verbal, but also embodied in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
"...to you who were far off..." This refers primarily to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). In the Old Testament, they were considered outside of God's covenant with Israel, "far off" from God's promises and blessings. They were often seen as outsiders, separated by cultural and religious barriers.
"...and to those who were near." This refers primarily to the Jews. They had a covenant relationship with God through Abraham, the law, and the prophets. They were "near" in the sense that they were God's chosen people and had access to His word and promises.
The Overall Meaning:
The verse is highlighting the universal nature of Jesus' message of reconciliation. It proclaims that Jesus Christ bridged the gap between God and all people, regardless of their background or prior relationship with God. His sacrifice made peace accessible both to those who were previously considered distant from God (Gentiles) and those who were already within the covenant community (Jews).
Key Implications:
Inclusivity: The Gospel is not exclusive to any one group. It is open to everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, or past.
Reconciliation: Jesus came to break down barriers and reconcile people both to God and to one another.
Unity: Through Christ, Jews and Gentiles are united in one body, the Church. This theme is further elaborated in the subsequent verses of Ephesians 2.
Transformation: Receiving this "peace" involves a change in status from being estranged from God to being adopted into His family.
In essence, Ephesians 2:17 is a beautiful summary of the Gospel's power to bring reconciliation and unity to a divided world, making peace with God accessible to all through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:17 - He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.
What does "Ephesians 2:17" mean?
Ephesians 2:17, "He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near," is a powerful statement about the reach and effect of Jesus Christ's message. Let's break it down:
"He came..." This refers to Jesus Christ. Although he physically walked the earth in a specific time and place, the verse is speaking about his work of reconciliation through his death and resurrection, which continues to be relevant.
"...and preached peace..." The "peace" here is not simply the absence of conflict. It's a much deeper concept – reconciliation with God. It signifies a restored relationship, wholeness, and harmony. This reconciliation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sins that separated humanity from God. The "preaching" is not just verbal, but also embodied in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
"...to you who were far off..." This refers primarily to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people). In the Old Testament, they were considered outside of God's covenant with Israel, "far off" from God's promises and blessings. They were often seen as outsiders, separated by cultural and religious barriers.
"...and to those who were near." This refers primarily to the Jews. They had a covenant relationship with God through Abraham, the law, and the prophets. They were "near" in the sense that they were God's chosen people and had access to His word and promises.
The Overall Meaning:
The verse is highlighting the universal nature of Jesus' message of reconciliation. It proclaims that Jesus Christ bridged the gap between God and all people, regardless of their background or prior relationship with God. His sacrifice made peace accessible both to those who were previously considered distant from God (Gentiles) and those who were already within the covenant community (Jews).
Key Implications:
Inclusivity: The Gospel is not exclusive to any one group. It is open to everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, or past.
Reconciliation: Jesus came to break down barriers and reconcile people both to God and to one another.
Unity: Through Christ, Jews and Gentiles are united in one body, the Church. This theme is further elaborated in the subsequent verses of Ephesians 2.
Transformation: Receiving this "peace" involves a change in status from being estranged from God to being adopted into His family.
In essence, Ephesians 2:17 is a beautiful summary of the Gospel's power to bring reconciliation and unity to a divided world, making peace with God accessible to all through Jesus Christ.