Lorenzo Palon

"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13 (NASB)

The phrase “But now” emphasizes the contrast between the challenging past of the Gentiles, as portrayed in Ephesians 2:11-12, and their hopeful future through the gospel, as described in Ephesians 2:13-22. Paul uses the expression “In Christ Jesus” to depict the connection with Christ in a profound, dynamic relationship. This connection not only involves a present experience with the resurrected Christ but also extends to active involvement in his death, resurrection, and exaltation (see 2:6).

The statement “those who were once far away have been brought near” illustrates the idea of universalizing hope. This particular concept is reiterated in Ephesians 2:17, where a reference to Isaiah 57:19 creates a connection between the previously exiled Jewish community and the Gentiles. The typological application of Old Testament verses by the Apostle Paul emphasizes the significant shift in the perception of God’s plan for redemption.

In Isaiah, the text originally pertained to the comeback of Jewish exiles. Nevertheless, in Ephesians, it is used in reference to the Gentiles, highlighting the universalization of the Old Testament hope by the New Testament Apostles. This inclusivity is a key concept in Ephesians, conveying the idea that the family of God is now open to all believers, irrespective of their nationality or ethnicity.

The phrase “by the blood of Christ” signifies the vicarious, substitutionary atonement of Christ, meaning His sacrificial death in place of humanity (see Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:25; 5:6-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:14,28; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 1:5). This demonstrates that God’s family is now defined by spirituality rather than nationality (see Romans 2:28-29; 4:16-25).

The symbolism of “the blood Christ” illustrates His sacrifice, signifying the death of the Messiah detailed in Leviticus 1-2. This fulfills the prophecy of Jesus as the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” as stated in John 1:29. It’s essential to acknowledge that Jesus’ purpose was to sacrifice Himself, as indicated in Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53, Mark 10:45, and 2 Cor 5:21. Additionally, the concept of Christ’s blood confirms the genuine humanity of Jesus, refuting the erroneous beliefs of the Gnostics, (v 15).

Paul talks about how the “blood of Christ” is important for establishing a cloze relationship to God. This idea is linked to other concepts in the letter. At first, Paul praises the saving power of Christ’s blood, showing how believers get saved and forgiven through this sacrifice. This idea sets the scene for Paul’s later call for unity in 4:1-3. The peace that comes from Christ not only brings harmonious relations with God but also makes peace among the people in the community, crossing traditional boundaries, especially those between Jews and non-Jews. Also, Paul discusses how non-Jewish believers used to be separated from God in the past, emphasizing the big change to a life that is different from the usual ways of the world. This advice sets the stage for later parts of the letter that talk about its practical application in the way believers conduct themselves.(4:17-19).

As Paul passionately exhorted the believers in Ephesus to recall their former state of being distanced from God and salvation, he also fervently urges us today to reflect on our own journey. Once separated from Christ and enslaved by sin, we have now been brought near to Him through the wonderful sacrifice of Christ. This reflection on our redemption serves as a constant reminder of who we are in Christ and our pursuit of Christlikeness in every aspect of our daily lives. It is a call to continuously embrace the life-changing power of blood of Christ, shaping our thoughts, actions, and attitudes as we strive towards spiritual growth and maturity. This awareness fuels our commitment to live out our faith and walk in the footsteps of the One who redeemed us, fostering a deep desire to embody His love, grace, and wisdom in all that we do.