Ephesians 2:13 kjv

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

Ephesians 2:13 nkjv

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 niv

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 esv

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 nlt

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2 verses

Ephesians 2 13 Meaning

Ephesians 2:13 proclaims the dramatic reversal of the spiritual condition of Gentile believers. Formerly alienated and distant from God, His covenant promises, and His people, they are now brought into a position of intimacy and proximity. This profound transformation is entirely realized through their union with Christ Jesus, whose sacrificial death on the cross is the sole and sufficient means by which this reconciliation is achieved, bridging the vast divide between humanity (specifically the Gentiles) and God, and uniting them with Jewish believers.

Ephesians 2 13 Context

Ephesians 2:13 is a pivotal verse within Paul's letter, marking a sharp contrast to the grim reality described in the preceding verses (Ephesians 2:11-12). In those verses, Paul paints a stark picture of the Gentiles' former spiritual state: without Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God in the world. Verse 13 uses the crucial phrase "But now" (νυνὶ δέ, nyni de) to signal an immediate and dramatic change of status.

The broader context of Ephesians chapter 2 extends this theme, moving from individual redemption (Ephesians 2:1-10) to corporate reconciliation (Ephesians 2:11-22). The "middle wall of partition" (Ephesians 2:14), both symbolic and literal in the Temple, separating Jews and Gentiles, is declared broken down by Christ's sacrificial death. This breakdown of barriers means not only individual access to God for Gentiles but also their full inclusion as co-heirs and fellow members of the one new spiritual household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). This vision reveals God's mysterious plan to unite all things, Jew and Gentile, in Christ, forming a new spiritual temple where God dwells by His Spirit.

Historically, the divide between Jews and Gentiles was profound. Jewish law and custom meticulously maintained separation, and the Temple structure physically demarcated areas, with clear warnings to Gentiles against entering sacred Jewish spaces. This verse speaks powerfully against such divisions, affirming Christ's work in tearing down not only spiritual but also socio-religious barriers, establishing a radical new inclusivity.

Ephesians 2 13 Word analysis

• But now: This adverbial phrase (νυνὶ δέ, nyni de) introduces a crucial temporal and theological contrast, dramatically shifting from the past state of alienation described in Eph 2:11-12 to a present, radically different reality. It highlights God's decisive, intervening action.
• in Christ Jesus: This phrase identifies the sphere, condition, and instrumentality through which the transformation occurs. It denotes a spiritual union and identification with Christ, meaning the new status is dependent on being united with Him. This "in Christ" motif is central to Paul's theology, signifying a complete identity transformation.
• you who once were far off: Identifies the direct audience of this specific part of Paul's letter—Gentile believers. It emphatically recalls their prior spiritual distance, alienation from God, and separation from His covenant people (Israel). The Greek word μακράν (makran) emphasizes this great spatial and relational distance, echoing Isa 57:19.
• have been brought near: This phrase denotes a divine action performed upon them. The Greek verb προσηχθήτε (prosēchthēte), from προσάγω (prosagō), means "you were brought to" or "you were ushered into the presence of." This passive voice underscores that it is God's initiative and sovereign work, not human effort, that facilitates this access. The term "brought near" can have priestly connotations, suggesting being ushered into the presence of a deity or king.
• by the blood of Christ: This phrase specifies the exclusive and decisive means of this bringing near. "Blood" (αἵματι, haimati) universally refers to Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. It signifies the atoning power of His shed life, the substitutionary payment for sin, and the establishment of the New Covenant. It underscores that only through this ultimate, perfect sacrifice could reconciliation and access to God be achieved, thereby breaking down all barriers—spiritual, legal, and relational.

Ephesians 2 13 Bonus section

• The shift from "far off" to "brought near" isn't merely a reduction in spatial distance but a profound change in relationship, from alienation to intimacy, hostility to peace, and exclusion to inclusion in the family of God.
• The concept of "blood" as the means of access to God is deeply rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement and cleansing, providing temporary access to God's presence. Christ's blood is presented as the fulfillment and superior reality, offering once-for-all, perfect, and eternal access.
• This verse implicitly points to the destruction of the Temple's "Court of the Gentiles" wall—a physical and symbolic barrier that excluded non-Jews from the inner courts and closer proximity to God's presence. Christ's blood spiritually demolishes such exclusive structures.
• The "bringing near" also speaks to the establishment of the New Covenant through Christ's blood, where all who believe, regardless of background, become part of God's one reconciled people.

Ephesians 2 13 Commentary

Ephesians 2:13 is a powerful declaration of radical transformation, pivoting from a description of utter spiritual destitution to glorious spiritual reality. The Gentiles, previously estranged from God and His promises, are no longer outsiders but have been divinely repositioned. This shift, emphasized by "but now," signifies God's direct, merciful intervention. The entire reconciliation is encapsulated in their union "in Christ Jesus," highlighting that this new standing is entirely derived from, and maintained within, a saving relationship with Him. The specific means for this extraordinary bringing near is "the blood of Christ," which refers to His propitiatory and reconciling death on the cross. This single act of self-sacrifice achieved what no human effort, religious observance, or legalistic barrier could: it provided definitive atonement for sin and demolished the spiritual, social, and cultural barriers that separated humanity from God and from each other, ushering both Jews and Gentiles into a singular new community with immediate, bold access to God. It speaks of full inclusion, peace, and restored intimacy through Christ's perfect sacrifice.