Ephesians 2:17

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Ephesians 2:17 beautifully encapsulates the universal reach and unifying power of Christ's redemptive work. In this verse, the Apostle Paul continues his profound discourse on how Jesus Christ brought both Jew and Gentile into one reconciled body through His sacrifice on the cross.

Context

This verse follows directly from Paul's explanation in Ephesians 2:13-16, where he details how those who were once "far off" (Gentiles, alienated from God's covenants) were brought "nigh" by the blood of Christ. Jesus is presented as the one who not only abolished the enmity between God and humanity but also broke down the "middle wall of partition" that separated Jew and Gentile. His coming was to establish a new humanity, reconciled to God and to each other, through the cross.

Key Themes

  • The Universal Preaching of Peace: Christ's ministry and the subsequent spread of the Gospel were not limited to a specific group. The message of peace was proclaimed to "you which were afar off" (the Gentiles) and "to them that were nigh" (the Jews). This highlights the inclusive nature of God's salvation plan.
  • Reconciliation and Unity: The "peace" preached by Christ is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound state of reconciliation with God and unity between previously alienated groups. This peace is the fruit of His work on the cross, creating one new man out of two.
  • The Gospel as Peace: The core of the Christian message is a message of peace. It offers peace with God (Romans 5:1) and peace among humanity, bridging divides through faith in Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "peace" here is eirΔ“nΔ“, which, like the Hebrew shalom, signifies much more than just the absence of war. It denotes wholeness, well-being, prosperity, harmony, and a right relationship with God and others. When Christ "preached peace," He was proclaiming the establishment of this holistic state of reconciliation and flourishing.

The terms "afar off" (Greek: makran) and "nigh" (Greek: engys) are used metaphorically to describe the spiritual and covenantal distance or proximity to God and His chosen people, Israel. The Gentiles were "afar off" from the covenants of promise, while the Jews were "nigh" due to their unique relationship with God.

Practical Application

Ephesians 2:17 calls believers today to embrace and live out the peace and unity that Christ established. It reminds us that:

  • Divisions are Overcome in Christ: Just as ethnic and religious barriers were overcome, so too can social, economic, or cultural divides be transcended in the church, as all are united in Christ.
  • We Are Ambassadors of Peace: As recipients of this Gospel of peace, believers are commissioned to share this message with a world still divided and "afar off" from God.
  • Unity in the Body: The church is meant to be a living demonstration of this peace, where diverse individuals are brought together by the Spirit to reflect God's reconciling love.

This verse stands as a powerful declaration of Christ's all-encompassing mission to bring peace and reconciliation to all humanity, regardless of their past status or background.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ΒΆ 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

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