But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Those once far off were Gentiles without Christ, aliens from Israel and strangers from the promises, having no hope and without God in the world, who are brought near to God in Christ Jesus by His blood and sacrificial death. To be far off is to be separated from God and heaven by sin, in bondage to Satan and under condemnation of the law, unable to save oneself or reach the abode of bliss. His death breaks down the middle wall of partition and abolishes the enmity, making of two one new man and reconciling both those afar off and those nigh to God in one body by the cross, with access by one Spirit to the Father. This nearness is salvation by grace through faith as the gift of God through Jesus Christ and the riches of His grace, not by Jewish rites, human goodness, works, or effort, so no one can claim credit. In Christ differences of nationality, race, caste, standing, and religion do not divide or bar any soul from God, for by creation and redemption He makes all one family with every soul within reach of His throne. Those thus reconciled become fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and are to show the change in purified, sanctified character, working in harmony as one and not drawing apart.
Far Off Made Nigh
The far off are Gentiles in the flesh, called Uncircumcision, who were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, excluded from covenant community. Those once far from God and outside Israel's covenant promises are now in Christ Jesus made nigh by the blood of Christ, and by faith in His atoning sacrifice become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. This nearness is God's gracious salvation in Christ and His transforming grace, not by Jewish rites or human works, not by human goodness or effort, and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit when others are led to Christ. Those brought to Christ are to show the change by purified, sanctified characters and become lights in the world.
To be far off is to be separated from God and heaven by sin, in the bondage of Satan, as enemies of Christ and under condemnation of God's law. Sin made a deep and impassable gulf that left men unable to reach the abode of bliss and unable to save themselves. Even men in high positions of trust, influence and responsibility, however exalted in this world, are far off in sin and under condemnation unless they accept Christ. To be made nigh is to be brought near to God in Christ Jesus through His blood and sacrificial death. His death removes the enmity and breaks down the barrier between Jew and Gentile, making fellowship with God and shared participation in the living bread possible, and making it possible to share in the divine nature.
The background is the wall of nationality and religious seclusion built by Jewish prejudice that counted Gentiles as cursed and unclean, knowing nothing of circumcision, behind which they were held as common. Peter's labors had been confined entirely to the Jews and Greek Jews while he still looked upon Gentiles as common or unclean, until the conversion of Cornelius first opened in importance the worldwide extent of God's plan. The vision of the sheet let down with all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things and fowls of heaven, with the command to kill and eat and the word that what God hath cleansed should not be called common, was simply an illustration of the true position of the Gentiles, bringing reproof and instruction to divest Peter of prejudice. It does not signify that the prohibition on unclean flesh such as swine was removed.
Under the covenant of grace given to Abraham the blessings given to the Jewish nation are given equally to the Gentiles, to bring redemption before all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples. By His death the middle wall of partition was broken down, so heathen nations were made partakers equally of the blessings and privileges of the Jews, made fellow-heirs with the Israel of God and no longer an unclean race excluded from the promises of God. Those among the Gentiles who accept Christ as Saviour are grafted into the good olive tree and made one with the original branches, but with no cause to boast lest they be broken off as the natural branches were broken off through disobedience. Cornelius did not yet have an understanding faith in Christ, but his love and obedience to God brought him near and prepared him to receive the revealed Saviour, when God came near to him through word and Spirit.
Those who were far off, without God and without hope in the world, are now in Christ Jesus made nigh by the blood of Christ, receiving the faith. They are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. This is the fruit of preaching the gospel to every creature under heaven in faithful stewardship to save souls, and those who receive it in turn preach the gospel they had received.
One Body Through Cross
But now those once far off are made near by the blood of Christ, for He Himself is peace who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, He makes peace and makes in Himself of two one new man. He came and preached peace to those afar off and to those near, to reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. For through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father, and those brought near are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself the chief Cornerstone, they are fitly framed together growing into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit. This making one of those divided rebukes division, makes Christ the bond of unity, and requires that believers not draw apart but work in harmony.
Gentiles who were far from God and outside the covenant community are brought near through Christ's blood, and by faith in His atoning sacrifice they become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. This nearness belongs to God's gracious salvation in Christ by grace through faith as God's gift, obtained through Jesus Christ and the riches of His grace. It is not a result of Jewish rites or human works, not by human goodness or effort, and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit for it. When others are led to Christ, none may claim credit, because the transformation is God's work.
The cross proves God's love and is the pledge of salvation, for Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. His sacrifice was made to redeem people from the consequences of breaking God's law and to make return to obedience to His commandments possible. Because of Christ's suffering God accepts people in the Beloved, and apart from the cross no union with the Father and no hope is possible. A sinner who looks in faith to the crucified Saviour receives pardon and may rejoice with fullness of joy, and faith at the cross brings a person to the highest place attainable. Seeing His sacrifice leads the sinner to hate sin and to approach Him as a compassionate High Priest.
In Christ, differences of nationality, race, caste, social standing, and religious belief do not divide people from one another nor bar them from God. Christ removes the barriers that separate people and gives every soul access to God. By creation all are one family, and by redemption they are made one family and brought within reach of His throne. His love reaches even those deceived by Satan.
Through Christ's sacrifice God reconciles fallen humanity to Himself and restores their knowledge of His goodness and love. Those who accept Christ He brings into His family as His beloved children and church and as His children and heirs. Sin had separated humanity from God and left people unable to save themselves, but through Christ they are brought near to the Father. That nearness makes fellowship with God and shared participation in the living bread possible, and makes it possible for them to share in the divine nature.
Life of Those Brought Near
Those brought near through Christ's blood are to show the change in their lives by purified, sanctified characters and to be lights in the world. This transformation comes through Christ's transforming grace, not through human goodness or effort and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit for it, including when others are led to Christ through them.
Oneness in Christ rebukes division, for those who were far from God and from one another are brought near by Christ's blood and made one, reconciled to God in one body by the cross with Christ as the bond of unity. Those who serve God must therefore work in harmony and must not draw apart. The passage is full of instruction and lifts depression when read carefully, calling for contemplating Christ, beholding Him, and cherishing Him as a close, best, and honored Friend so as not to grieve Him in any action. Faith must cleave through Satan's hellish shadow that obstructs faith and eclipses light from Jesus the Sun of Righteousness, resting in truth and not in feeling, with an experience not to be buried in doubt or staggering. Believers are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself the chief Cornerstone, built for a habitation of God through the Spirit, so that the heart cleansed from moral impurity becomes a temple for the Holy Spirit, and those rooted and grounded in love comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height and know the love of God which passes knowledge, with Christ dwelling in hearts by faith and salvation by grace through faith as God's gift and not of themselves.
Being made nigh is a matter of the heart belonging to God as the temple of the living God where God meets with His people. Even a small house of worship is precious when believers have done what they could, while even the most splendid temple amounts to nothing if hearts are not right. The greatest anxiety must be over spiritual condition, with reverence in entering God's presence, and children must be taught that God meets with His people and have their thoughts directed heavenward. Because all are brought near by Christ's blood, suffering people must be met with compassionate, loving service that can break down religious prejudice and lead people to God. In Christ differences of nationality, race, caste, and religious belief do not divide people from one another or bar them from God, for Christ removes the barriers that separate people and gives every soul access to God, and His love reaches those deceived by Satan and brings them within reach of His throne.
Those who were without God and without hope in the world and are made nigh receive the faith, becoming no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and in their turn preach the gospel they received as the fruit of preaching the gospel to every creature in faithful stewardship to save souls. Men in high positions of trust, influence, and responsibility, however exalted in this world, are far off in sin under condemnation unless they accept Christ, being in the bondage of Satan, enemies of Christ, and under condemnation of God's law. They need to see by faith the efficacy of Christ's blood for reconciliation, that to follow Christ is the only path to true greatness and true honor. Those saved through the Son's blood are to live in gratitude and piety, be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and serve as laborers with God, in keeping with God's love for His people and for those who are still far off. Sin separated the world from heaven and left men far off, unable to reach the abode of bliss, but Christ with His own body bridged the deep and impassable gulf sin had made so those once far off are again united with heaven, and to every soul that desires to cross that gulf He gives help and strength, making the exiles prisoners of hope placed on probation.
Those once far off were Gentiles without Christ, aliens from Israel and strangers from the promises, having no hope and without God in the world, who are brought near to God in Christ Jesus by His blood and sacrificial death. To be far off is to be separated from God and heaven by sin, in bondage to Satan and under condemnation of the law, unable to save oneself or reach the abode of bliss. His death breaks down the middle wall of partition and abolishes the enmity, making of two one new man and reconciling both those afar off and those nigh to God in one body by the cross, with access by one Spirit to the Father. This nearness is salvation by grace through faith as the gift of God through Jesus Christ and the riches of His grace, not by Jewish rites, human goodness, works, or effort, so no one can claim credit. In Christ differences of nationality, race, caste, standing, and religion do not divide or bar any soul from God, for by creation and redemption He makes all one family with every soul within reach of His throne. Those thus reconciled become fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and are to show the change in purified, sanctified character, working in harmony as one and not drawing apart.
Far Off Made Nigh
The far off are Gentiles in the flesh, called Uncircumcision, who were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, excluded from covenant community. Those once far from God and outside Israel's covenant promises are now in Christ Jesus made nigh by the blood of Christ, and by faith in His atoning sacrifice become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. This nearness is God's gracious salvation in Christ and His transforming grace, not by Jewish rites or human works, not by human goodness or effort, and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit when others are led to Christ. Those brought to Christ are to show the change by purified, sanctified characters and become lights in the world.
To be far off is to be separated from God and heaven by sin, in the bondage of Satan, as enemies of Christ and under condemnation of God's law. Sin made a deep and impassable gulf that left men unable to reach the abode of bliss and unable to save themselves. Even men in high positions of trust, influence and responsibility, however exalted in this world, are far off in sin and under condemnation unless they accept Christ. To be made nigh is to be brought near to God in Christ Jesus through His blood and sacrificial death. His death removes the enmity and breaks down the barrier between Jew and Gentile, making fellowship with God and shared participation in the living bread possible, and making it possible to share in the divine nature.
The background is the wall of nationality and religious seclusion built by Jewish prejudice that counted Gentiles as cursed and unclean, knowing nothing of circumcision, behind which they were held as common. Peter's labors had been confined entirely to the Jews and Greek Jews while he still looked upon Gentiles as common or unclean, until the conversion of Cornelius first opened in importance the worldwide extent of God's plan. The vision of the sheet let down with all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things and fowls of heaven, with the command to kill and eat and the word that what God hath cleansed should not be called common, was simply an illustration of the true position of the Gentiles, bringing reproof and instruction to divest Peter of prejudice. It does not signify that the prohibition on unclean flesh such as swine was removed.
Under the covenant of grace given to Abraham the blessings given to the Jewish nation are given equally to the Gentiles, to bring redemption before all nations, kindreds, tongues and peoples. By His death the middle wall of partition was broken down, so heathen nations were made partakers equally of the blessings and privileges of the Jews, made fellow-heirs with the Israel of God and no longer an unclean race excluded from the promises of God. Those among the Gentiles who accept Christ as Saviour are grafted into the good olive tree and made one with the original branches, but with no cause to boast lest they be broken off as the natural branches were broken off through disobedience. Cornelius did not yet have an understanding faith in Christ, but his love and obedience to God brought him near and prepared him to receive the revealed Saviour, when God came near to him through word and Spirit.
Those who were far off, without God and without hope in the world, are now in Christ Jesus made nigh by the blood of Christ, receiving the faith. They are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. This is the fruit of preaching the gospel to every creature under heaven in faithful stewardship to save souls, and those who receive it in turn preach the gospel they had received.
One Body Through Cross
But now those once far off are made near by the blood of Christ, for He Himself is peace who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, He makes peace and makes in Himself of two one new man. He came and preached peace to those afar off and to those near, to reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. For through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father, and those brought near are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself the chief Cornerstone, they are fitly framed together growing into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit. This making one of those divided rebukes division, makes Christ the bond of unity, and requires that believers not draw apart but work in harmony.
Gentiles who were far from God and outside the covenant community are brought near through Christ's blood, and by faith in His atoning sacrifice they become fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. This nearness belongs to God's gracious salvation in Christ by grace through faith as God's gift, obtained through Jesus Christ and the riches of His grace. It is not a result of Jewish rites or human works, not by human goodness or effort, and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit for it. When others are led to Christ, none may claim credit, because the transformation is God's work.
The cross proves God's love and is the pledge of salvation, for Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. His sacrifice was made to redeem people from the consequences of breaking God's law and to make return to obedience to His commandments possible. Because of Christ's suffering God accepts people in the Beloved, and apart from the cross no union with the Father and no hope is possible. A sinner who looks in faith to the crucified Saviour receives pardon and may rejoice with fullness of joy, and faith at the cross brings a person to the highest place attainable. Seeing His sacrifice leads the sinner to hate sin and to approach Him as a compassionate High Priest.
In Christ, differences of nationality, race, caste, social standing, and religious belief do not divide people from one another nor bar them from God. Christ removes the barriers that separate people and gives every soul access to God. By creation all are one family, and by redemption they are made one family and brought within reach of His throne. His love reaches even those deceived by Satan.
Through Christ's sacrifice God reconciles fallen humanity to Himself and restores their knowledge of His goodness and love. Those who accept Christ He brings into His family as His beloved children and church and as His children and heirs. Sin had separated humanity from God and left people unable to save themselves, but through Christ they are brought near to the Father. That nearness makes fellowship with God and shared participation in the living bread possible, and makes it possible for them to share in the divine nature.
Life of Those Brought Near
Those brought near through Christ's blood are to show the change in their lives by purified, sanctified characters and to be lights in the world. This transformation comes through Christ's transforming grace, not through human goodness or effort and not by people changing their own hearts, so no one can claim credit for it, including when others are led to Christ through them.
Oneness in Christ rebukes division, for those who were far from God and from one another are brought near by Christ's blood and made one, reconciled to God in one body by the cross with Christ as the bond of unity. Those who serve God must therefore work in harmony and must not draw apart. The passage is full of instruction and lifts depression when read carefully, calling for contemplating Christ, beholding Him, and cherishing Him as a close, best, and honored Friend so as not to grieve Him in any action. Faith must cleave through Satan's hellish shadow that obstructs faith and eclipses light from Jesus the Sun of Righteousness, resting in truth and not in feeling, with an experience not to be buried in doubt or staggering. Believers are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself the chief Cornerstone, built for a habitation of God through the Spirit, so that the heart cleansed from moral impurity becomes a temple for the Holy Spirit, and those rooted and grounded in love comprehend the breadth and length and depth and height and know the love of God which passes knowledge, with Christ dwelling in hearts by faith and salvation by grace through faith as God's gift and not of themselves.
Being made nigh is a matter of the heart belonging to God as the temple of the living God where God meets with His people. Even a small house of worship is precious when believers have done what they could, while even the most splendid temple amounts to nothing if hearts are not right. The greatest anxiety must be over spiritual condition, with reverence in entering God's presence, and children must be taught that God meets with His people and have their thoughts directed heavenward. Because all are brought near by Christ's blood, suffering people must be met with compassionate, loving service that can break down religious prejudice and lead people to God. In Christ differences of nationality, race, caste, and religious belief do not divide people from one another or bar them from God, for Christ removes the barriers that separate people and gives every soul access to God, and His love reaches those deceived by Satan and brings them within reach of His throne.
Those who were without God and without hope in the world and are made nigh receive the faith, becoming no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and in their turn preach the gospel they received as the fruit of preaching the gospel to every creature in faithful stewardship to save souls. Men in high positions of trust, influence, and responsibility, however exalted in this world, are far off in sin under condemnation unless they accept Christ, being in the bondage of Satan, enemies of Christ, and under condemnation of God's law. They need to see by faith the efficacy of Christ's blood for reconciliation, that to follow Christ is the only path to true greatness and true honor. Those saved through the Son's blood are to live in gratitude and piety, be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and serve as laborers with God, in keeping with God's love for His people and for those who are still far off. Sin separated the world from heaven and left men far off, unable to reach the abode of bliss, but Christ with His own body bridged the deep and impassable gulf sin had made so those once far off are again united with heaven, and to every soul that desires to cross that gulf He gives help and strength, making the exiles prisoners of hope placed on probation.