Ephesians 2:17

KJV

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} came {G2064} and preached {G2097} peace {G1515} to you {G5213} which {G3588} were afar off {G3112}, and {G2532} to them that were nigh {G1451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also, when he came, he announced as Good News shalom to you far off and shalom to those nearby,

Berean Standard Bible

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

American Standard Version

and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 2:17 powerfully encapsulates the universal and unifying scope of Christ's redemptive work, declaring that through His coming, the message of peace was proclaimed to all humanity. This verse highlights how Jesus bridged the profound chasm that historically separated Jews and Gentiles, bringing both groups, previously "afar off" and "nigh" in their relationship to God's covenants, into a reconciled and unified body through the gospel. It underscores the comprehensive nature of Christ's mission to establish peace and reconciliation for all who believe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as a climactic declaration following Paul's profound theological exposition in [Ephesians 2:11-16](/ephesians/2-11-16 "Ephesians 2:11-16 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood"). In the preceding verses, Paul meticulously details the former alienation of the Gentiles from the covenants of promise, describing them as "without Christ," "strangers to the covenants," and "without hope and without God in the world" ([Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Gentiles Without Hope")). He then pivots to explain how Christ, "by his blood," has brought those who were "far off" near ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). The "middle wall of partition" that separated Jew and Gentile has been broken down, and the law's enmity abolished, to create "one new man" through the cross ([Ephesians 2:14-15](/ephesians/2-14-15 "Ephesians 2:14-15 - Breaking Down the Wall of Partition")). Thus, verse 17 serves as a summary statement of Christ's active proclamation of this newly established peace, extending its reach to both groups.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The division between Jews and Gentiles in the first century was not merely theological but deeply ingrained in social, cultural, and political life. Jewish identity was meticulously defined by the Mosaic Law, circumcision, dietary restrictions, and temple worship, which often fostered a sense of superiority and separation from the "unclean" Gentiles. Gentiles, in turn, often viewed Jews with suspicion or contempt. The Jerusalem Temple itself physically manifested this division with the "Court of the Gentiles," beyond which no Gentile was permitted to pass, under penalty of death. This architectural barrier symbolized the spiritual and covenantal separation. Paul's message of Christ breaking down this "middle wall" was revolutionary, challenging centuries of deeply entrenched prejudice and social stratification, proclaiming a new reality where ethnic and religious distinctions no longer defined access to God or community within His people.

* **Key Themes:** Ephesians 2:17 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ephesians and broader Pauline theology. The primary theme is **Reconciliation and Unity**, demonstrating how Christ's work on the cross not only reconciles humanity to God but also reconciles alienated human factions to each other, specifically Jew and Gentile. This leads to the theme of the **New Humanity**, where Christ creates "one new man" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - Creating One New Man")) out of two distinct groups, forming the church as a unified body. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the **Universal Scope of the Gospel**, asserting that Christ's message of peace is for all people, regardless of their prior spiritual or ethnic status. This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of **Shalom**, encompassing well-being, wholeness, and right relationship with God and others, a theme prevalent throughout [Ephesians 2](/ephesians/2 "Ephesians 2 - Grace Through Faith").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** From a primary verb meaning "to come or go," this word signifies Christ's active, intentional arrival and presence. It emphasizes His personal initiative in the work of reconciliation, not merely a passive declaration. His coming embodies the very act of bringing peace.
* **preached (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** Derived from "eu" (good) and "angelos" (messenger), this term means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize." It highlights the nature of Christ's message as the Gospel itself – a proclamation of glad tidings. It implies an authoritative and public declaration of the new reality established by His redemptive work.
* **peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** Probably from a verb meaning "to join," this word denotes much more than the absence of conflict. Like the Hebrew _shalom_, it signifies wholeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and a state of right relationship. Here, it specifically refers to reconciliation with God and unity between previously alienated groups (Jew and Gentile), a comprehensive state of spiritual flourishing.
* **afar off (Greek, _makrán'_):** This term, meaning "at a distance," is used metaphorically to describe the spiritual and covenantal alienation of the Gentiles. They were far from God's covenants, promises, and the community of Israel. It emphasizes their prior state of separation and hopelessness.
* **nigh (Greek, _engýs'_):** Meaning "near," this word metaphorically describes the Jews' proximity to God through their covenantal relationship and the Law. While they were "nigh" in terms of covenant, they too needed Christ's peace for true reconciliation with God and unity with the Gentiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And came and preached peace":** This clause emphasizes Christ's active, incarnational ministry. It was not merely a message sent, but the very presence of the Peacemaker Himself. His "coming" refers to His entire earthly ministry, culminating in His death and resurrection, which made the "peace" possible. The "preaching" implies an authoritative and public declaration of this new reality, the good news of reconciliation.
* **"to you which were afar off":** This refers specifically to the Gentiles. Spiritually and covenantally, they were distant from God's promises, His people Israel, and the hope of salvation. They lived outside the covenant relationship that God had established with Abraham and his descendants. Christ's message of peace was directly addressed to this alienated group, offering them inclusion and reconciliation.
* **"and to them that were nigh":** This refers to the Jews. They were "nigh" in the sense that they possessed the Law, the covenants, and the temple, and were God's chosen people. However, even they needed the peace that Christ alone could provide, as their relationship with God was strained by sin, and their relationship with Gentiles was marked by enmity. Christ's peace was for them too, completing their reconciliation with God and enabling their unity with the Gentiles in a new, inclusive community.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 2:17 employs several powerful literary devices. **Antithesis** is central, contrasting "afar off" (referring to Gentiles) with "nigh" (referring to Jews). This stark opposition highlights the profound division that Christ overcame, emphasizing the radical nature of His unifying work. The concept of "peace" itself functions as a rich **Metaphor** for the comprehensive reconciliation Christ achieves—not just the absence of conflict, but a holistic state of spiritual well-being, harmony with God, and unity among people. The act of Christ "preaching" is a **Personification** of the Gospel message; it's not just a doctrine, but a living proclamation delivered by the incarnate Son. The entire passage, including this verse, uses **Symbolism** where the "middle wall of partition" (mentioned in the preceding verses) symbolizes the spiritual and social barriers that Christ broke down, making His "preaching peace" the active dismantling of those very divides.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 2:17 is a profound theological statement on the nature of Christ's redemptive work, asserting that His peace is universal in its scope and radical in its unifying power. It underscores that the Gospel is fundamentally a message of reconciliation—first, between God and humanity, and consequently, between alienated human groups. Christ's "preaching peace" signifies the establishment of a new covenant reality where former distinctions and enmities are abolished through His sacrifice, creating a single, unified body of believers. This peace is not earned but freely given through Christ's initiative, making access to God possible for all, regardless of their past status or background. It reflects God's ultimate desire for all humanity to be brought into harmonious relationship with Him and with one another.

* [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Jesus Christ")
* [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling All Things Through the Cross")
* [Isaiah 57:19](/isaiah/57-19 "Isaiah 57:19 - Peace to Him That Is Far Off, and to Him That Is Near")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 2:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Gospel and Christ's ongoing mission to bring reconciliation. For believers today, this verse calls us to embody the peace that Christ has established, recognizing that the dividing walls of hostility—whether ethnic, social, economic, or political—have been broken down in Him. It challenges us to actively pursue unity within the church, embracing diversity as a reflection of God's multifaceted grace, rather than allowing differences to become sources of division. Furthermore, as recipients of this profound peace, we are commissioned to be ambassadors of reconciliation, extending the good news of peace to a world still "afar off" from God and plagued by disunity. Our lives, individually and corporately, should be a living testament to the unifying power of Christ, demonstrating that true peace is found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, or my community, still erect "walls of partition" that Christ has already broken down?**
* **How does understanding Christ's universal proclamation of peace impact my evangelistic efforts or my view of those different from me?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster greater peace and unity within my local church or community, reflecting the reconciliation achieved by Christ?**
* **How does the peace Christ preached differ from the world's understanding of peace, and how can I better live out that distinction?**

### FAQ
**Who are "you which were afar off" and "them that were nigh" in this verse?**

Answer: "You which were afar off" refers to the Gentiles, those who were spiritually and covenantally distant from God and His promises to Israel. They were outside the covenant relationship God had established with His chosen people. "Them that were nigh" refers to the Jews, who were considered "near" to God due to their unique covenantal relationship, the Law, and the temple. The verse emphasizes that Christ's peace was preached to both groups, bridging the profound historical and spiritual chasm between them and bringing them together into one new body in Christ, as explained in [Ephesians 2:11-16](/ephesians/2-11-16 "Ephesians 2:11-16 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood").

**What kind of "peace" did Christ preach, and how is it achieved?**

Answer: The "peace" (Greek: _eirḗnē_) Christ preached is far more comprehensive than merely the absence of conflict. It signifies a holistic state of reconciliation, wholeness, and well-being. This includes peace with God, achieved through the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which removed the barrier of sin ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Our Lord Jesus Christ")). It also includes peace between previously alienated human groups, specifically Jews and Gentiles, by abolishing the "enmity" and the dividing wall of the Law ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Breaking Down the Wall of Partition")). Christ achieved this peace through His death, which reconciled both groups to God in one body, thus creating a new humanity.

**How did Christ "preach" this peace, given that He primarily ministered to Jews during His earthly life?**

Answer: Christ "preached" this peace in multiple ways. First, through His incarnate life, ministry, and teachings, He embodied the principles of reconciliation and grace that would ultimately break down all barriers. Second, and most crucially, His death on the cross was the ultimate act of "preaching peace," as it was through His blood that both Jews and Gentiles were brought near to God and to each other ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). Third, His "preaching" continues through the Holy Spirit working through His apostles and the church, who were commissioned to proclaim this good news to all nations, fulfilling His universal mission after His ascension ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 2:17 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is not merely a messenger of peace, but the very embodiment and source of peace itself. His "coming" refers to His incarnation, where God Himself entered human history to actively intervene in humanity's fractured state. The "peace" He "preached" is the Good News of reconciliation, forged in His own body on the cross. He is the ultimate Peacemaker, who, by His sacrificial death, not only reconciled humanity to God but also dismantled the deep-seated ethnic and religious hostilities between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new man" out of two ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - Creating One New Man")). This fulfillment is powerfully articulated in [Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciling All Things Through the Cross"), where Paul states that God was pleased through Christ "to reconcile all things unto himself; having made peace through the blood of his cross." Jesus' resurrection and ascension further confirm His triumph over sin and division, establishing Him as the reigning Lord who continues to extend His peace through the Holy Spirit and the church, His body, drawing all peoples into a unified fellowship with God and one another ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Gift of Peace")). He is our peace ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - He Is Our Peace")), the one who broke down every dividing wall, making access to the Father possible for all through the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 57:19

I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

Isaiah 57:21

[There is] no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

Acts 10:36

The word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Romans 5:1

¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 2:13

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

Ephesians 2:14

¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];