And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Christ Himself came preaching peace to those far off — Gentiles without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers from the promises, without hope and without God — and to those nigh to God and His people, bringing the far off near by His blood. He reconciled both to God and to one another by His sacrifice on the cross, breaking down the middle wall of partition, abolishing the enmity, and making of two one new man in one body. In Him all distinctions of nationality, rank, race and status are removed, so Jew and Greek, black and white, slave and free, rich and poor are made one family and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father, no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints of the household of God, built on the apostles and prophets with Christ as cornerstone and growing into a holy temple for God's dwelling. That peace is to be lived in unity and love among believers and carried as mercy, forgiveness and salvation to every creature, both to those nearby and to those in far-off lands.
Who Are Far and Near
Those who were afar off were Gentiles, without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, while those who were nigh were those near to God and to His people. Those afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, brought near who had been without God and without hope in the world. Through Him both the far and the nigh have access by one Spirit to the Father, so that they are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself as chief cornerstone and fitly framed together growing into a holy temple in the Lord. His death made Gentiles who had been regarded as unclean to be fellow heirs with Israel and partakers of the promises, so that the peace He preached belongs to both Gentiles and Jews and shows God's plan reaches the whole world.
Far and near also describe spiritual distance from God, not only outward nationality. They include Jews and heathen, with Christ bringing the message of peace and salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews. Jewish pride had kept even the disciples from sympathizing with those outside Israel, but He crossed the barriers that excluded Gentiles and would have those barriers broken so that concern reaches those living in spiritual darkness. His mercy and love are not limited by nationality, rank, or religious group, and His message is to be heard by people both near to God and far away, reaching the world to impart new, holy impulses to those corrupted by sin.
The verse removes all caste and distinction of nationality, rank, race, and status. In Christ there is no division between Jew and Greek or between slave and free, and through His blood people of every nation, race, and social group are brought near to God and given access to Him. Jew and Gentile, black and white, free and enslaved are equal in God's sight and joined in a common brotherhood and shared peace, with loving service breaking religious prejudice to win people to Him. Pride, partiality, and exclusiveness are taken away so that rich and poor, high and low become one family bound up with Christ in God and bound to one another, building no wall of separation between a person and his fellow. Through Christ men and women are adopted into the divine family as sons and daughters of God and are given every advantage of His power and redeeming love, and through His strength are enabled to grow and live fruitful lives filled with the Spirit's power.
Christ Breaks Down Barriers
Christ himself is the peace who came and preached peace to those afar off and to those nigh. Through His blood and the cross and His death He reconciles to God people separated from God and from one another, making both one so that both have access by one Spirit to the Father. By His full and complete sacrifice in human flesh He broke down the barriers Satan had erected between God and man, revealing unexampled self-denial and wonderful love to save fallen man.
He made both one by breaking down the middle wall of partition between them. He abolished the enmity, making in Himself of two one new man, and reconciled both to God in one body by the cross. As the one who is our peace, His preaching gives both groups access by one Spirit to the Father, so they 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 as chief cornerstone, they are fitly framed together to grow into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
He crossed the barriers that excluded Gentiles, bringing the message of peace and salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews with kindness and offering them the salvation refused by others. Jewish pride had kept even the disciples from sympathizing with people outside Israel and with those living in spiritual darkness as heathen, but He intended those barriers to be broken and taught concern for them. He came to break down every wall of partition and throw open every compartment, so that every soul, Jew or Gentile, of every caste and nation, may have free access to the presence of God. His blessing is as universal as light and His message is for the ears of the whole world, with no boundaries to grace and with mercy for those who seek Him with contrition of soul, calling every soul to join with Him in hanging the helpless soul upon Him and drawing every soul to Him.
One Household in God
Through Him both the far off and the nigh have access by one Spirit to the Father, for He proclaimed peace to both and reconciled both to God through His blood and His death on the cross. That access is one shared way to the Father, and it makes believers one rather than leaving them divided. The peace belongs to that common approach through the Spirit, joining those once separated from God and from one another into one household as God's dwelling place.
They are therefore no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Those once without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. This household is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. He made both one by breaking down the middle wall of partition, abolishing the enmity, making in Himself of two one new man, and reconciling both to God in one body by the cross.
Joined together and fitly framed, they grow into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Worshipers themselves are the temple of the living God, so even the most splendid temple or house of worship amounts to nothing if hearts are not right. The greatest anxiety must therefore be over spiritual condition, because God meets with His people in His house in the presence of God and angels. Children must be taught reverence in coming in and going out of the house of worship and have their thoughts directed heavenward in the knowledge that God meets with His people there.
The verse contains an instructive lesson for those not working in harmony, calling them to unity and peace in Christ. Harsh, unchristlike conduct can hurt souls both near and far off.
Peace Received and Lived
The peace announced to the distant and the near is a present reality among believers, established as unity and love, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, and accepted with gratitude toward the heavenly Father. It is comfort in times of depression and is to be read carefully because it is full of instruction. Salvation is by grace through faith as the gift of God, and Christ dwells in the heart by faith when He is contemplated, beheld, and constantly cherished as the dearest, best, and most honored Friend, so that no action grieves or offends Him.
That indwelling cleanses the human heart from all moral impurity, ennobles and sanctifies the whole nature, and makes the person a temple for the Holy Spirit. Rooted and grounded in love, such a one is enabled to grasp the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of God that surpasses knowledge. Faith rests not in feeling but in truth, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself as chief cornerstone, formed into a dwelling place of God through the Spirit.
That faith does not stagger when Satan's hellish shadow is thrown across the pathway to hinder faith and eclipse the light from Jesus the Sun of Righteousness, but cuts through that shadow. When faces turn toward Christ, the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness are received, for God draws near to those who draw near to Him with humble minds, confession of sin, and sincere prayer for help prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Son of God came to earth with this life-giving and light-giving message of peace for all who were near and all who were far off, to be heard by all people as the herald of truth.
Those who have been quickened from death in trespasses and sins share the same work with Christ, carrying a burden for other souls dead in sin and making personal effort in the name of Jesus to bring them to a knowledge of the truth. Loving service can break down religious prejudice and help win people to Him, since through His blood people of every nation, race, and social group are brought near to God with no distinction between Jew and Greek or slave and free. In Christ, Jew and Gentile, black and white, free and enslaved are equal in God's sight and joined in shared brotherhood through His message of mercy and forgiveness. Through His strength people grow and live fruitful lives filled with the power of the Spirit.
Gospel to Every Place
The message of mercy, forgiveness and peace in Christ must be preached to every creature under heaven, to be heard by all people as the Herald of truth, reaching both those nigh and those afar off. Christ came to earth with that life- and light-giving message, bringing near by His blood those who were without God and without hope in the world. It is to be received by faith and then preached in turn by those who received it, who must cooperate with God in saving souls and dispense it faithfully as those who must give an account. Some must carry it to far-off lands, but many are appointed to a large and important home missionary field without going abroad.
That work includes carrying the gospel to distant peoples while giving attention to those nearby. It reaches people beyond familiar Christian communities as well as those close at hand, and church members are to be taught by example and instruction to enlighten, encourage and help save perishing souls, not only those already in the churches. It embraces homeless and helpless children who need care and education. It embraces one's own family, who need sympathy and the bread of life.
Following Christ as a living missionary who went from place to place, labor is not to be confined to a fixed locality or humanly prescribed limits, nor limited to one branch, but without sectional feeling. The work given to those called to preach is to widen the field of labor and do all they can to give the truth to those near and far away, annexing new territory and sending laborers to fields that have never heard the message. Gospel work must get away from smallness and make broader, larger plans with a wider reaching forth that labors for both classes, a responsibility resting especially on conference leaders and on all united to Christ.
The truth must go to both groups, and engaging in bringing that invitation of mercy for which He gave His life gives the highest satisfaction to heavenly intelligences. The work includes special efforts for the enlightenment of the Jews, with encouragement by words and means for those called to that ministry and through literature to bring them understanding, because every soul converted causes joy in heaven and in the heavenly courts. It includes giving words of warning to those near at hand and far away as the Lord's coming approaches.
Means for Carrying Peace
The gospel of the kingdom is what the world urgently needs, and it must be carried to those who are near and to those who are far away through the circulation of books and other publications. The message of peace is for both groups alike, and publications are the appointed means for spreading it among them.
Schools are to be educating schools that qualify youth to become missionaries by precept and example for both fields, at home and in far-off lands. Many are appointed to a large and important home missionary field without going abroad, while some must carry the message of mercy and peace in Christ to distant lands. Their work is to lead children and youth, purchased by the blood of the Son of God, to believe in Christ as personal Saviour.
God has provided everything whereby people may become laborers together with Him in spreading the knowledge of the truth to those nigh and to those afar off, to every family under heaven. The reason that preaching of peace has not reached all is that people ceased to progress and did not follow on to know the Lord, not that God was unwilling to fulfill His word. The Lord qualifies those who bear that message, and they become effective through Christ working in them as they become prepared.
Christ's lessons, words, and example, when presented in simplicity, are the most precious subjects and are the power and wisdom of God to save those who believe. That preaching of peace is comprehensive and adapted to all classes, both those nigh and those afar off. People must have this truth as it is in Jesus or they will die in their sins, for it is not the assertions of men, uncertainties, speculations, or idle tales.
Opening the way for that preaching involves faithful stewardship, with tithe set apart as sacred and used to support those who carry salvation and the light of truth throughout the world to people near and far. Those who desire the Holy Spirit are to use their gifts wherever needed for spreading the truth in places both near and far, and converted people of means, transformed in character, are to act as God's helping hand by using entrusted capital for reform and restoration. Every man, woman, and child is to practice strict economy in all expenditures and consecrate what is saved to advance God's work, making such an outlay of means with tact and discretion as will work the greatest good for those Christ purchased with His own blood. The Lord's ministers must carry the message of truth and peace to unworked places nigh and to places afar off, including India, Australia, the Southern Field, and other foreign fields, and money should be given to send them there rather than consumed on home conveniences, facilities, and heavier burdens the Lord never directed.
Laboring with all God-given strength to save those nigh and afar off is cooperating with God in His great enterprise of mercy for the salvation of perishing souls. It is the service highest in His estimation who gave Himself a willing offering to save a guilty race, most dear to the heart of infinite love, and bringing the greatest satisfaction and joy to the Father and the Son and to heavenly intelligences. Those who so labor will share in the Redeemer's joy when the redeemed stand around the throne of God. Those who bear the message of mercy to perishing souls near and far must themselves be under discipline to God, keeping simplicity and trust without sinking individuality in any living person, and the Lord will teach wisdom to all who seek Him whatever their calling, as the peace received by faith is preached in turn to every creature under heaven by those entrusted with it as those who must give an account.
Christ Himself came preaching peace to those far off — Gentiles without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers from the promises, without hope and without God — and to those nigh to God and His people, bringing the far off near by His blood. He reconciled both to God and to one another by His sacrifice on the cross, breaking down the middle wall of partition, abolishing the enmity, and making of two one new man in one body. In Him all distinctions of nationality, rank, race and status are removed, so Jew and Greek, black and white, slave and free, rich and poor are made one family and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Through Him both have access by one Spirit to the Father, no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints of the household of God, built on the apostles and prophets with Christ as cornerstone and growing into a holy temple for God's dwelling. That peace is to be lived in unity and love among believers and carried as mercy, forgiveness and salvation to every creature, both to those nearby and to those in far-off lands.
Who Are Far and Near
Those who were afar off were Gentiles, without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, while those who were nigh were those near to God and to His people. Those afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, brought near who had been without God and without hope in the world. Through Him both the far and the nigh have access by one Spirit to the Father, so that they are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself as chief cornerstone and fitly framed together growing into a holy temple in the Lord. His death made Gentiles who had been regarded as unclean to be fellow heirs with Israel and partakers of the promises, so that the peace He preached belongs to both Gentiles and Jews and shows God's plan reaches the whole world.
Far and near also describe spiritual distance from God, not only outward nationality. They include Jews and heathen, with Christ bringing the message of peace and salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews. Jewish pride had kept even the disciples from sympathizing with those outside Israel, but He crossed the barriers that excluded Gentiles and would have those barriers broken so that concern reaches those living in spiritual darkness. His mercy and love are not limited by nationality, rank, or religious group, and His message is to be heard by people both near to God and far away, reaching the world to impart new, holy impulses to those corrupted by sin.
The verse removes all caste and distinction of nationality, rank, race, and status. In Christ there is no division between Jew and Greek or between slave and free, and through His blood people of every nation, race, and social group are brought near to God and given access to Him. Jew and Gentile, black and white, free and enslaved are equal in God's sight and joined in a common brotherhood and shared peace, with loving service breaking religious prejudice to win people to Him. Pride, partiality, and exclusiveness are taken away so that rich and poor, high and low become one family bound up with Christ in God and bound to one another, building no wall of separation between a person and his fellow. Through Christ men and women are adopted into the divine family as sons and daughters of God and are given every advantage of His power and redeeming love, and through His strength are enabled to grow and live fruitful lives filled with the Spirit's power.
Christ Breaks Down Barriers
Christ himself is the peace who came and preached peace to those afar off and to those nigh. Through His blood and the cross and His death He reconciles to God people separated from God and from one another, making both one so that both have access by one Spirit to the Father. By His full and complete sacrifice in human flesh He broke down the barriers Satan had erected between God and man, revealing unexampled self-denial and wonderful love to save fallen man.
He made both one by breaking down the middle wall of partition between them. He abolished the enmity, making in Himself of two one new man, and reconciled both to God in one body by the cross. As the one who is our peace, His preaching gives both groups access by one Spirit to the Father, so they 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 as chief cornerstone, they are fitly framed together to grow into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
He crossed the barriers that excluded Gentiles, bringing the message of peace and salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews with kindness and offering them the salvation refused by others. Jewish pride had kept even the disciples from sympathizing with people outside Israel and with those living in spiritual darkness as heathen, but He intended those barriers to be broken and taught concern for them. He came to break down every wall of partition and throw open every compartment, so that every soul, Jew or Gentile, of every caste and nation, may have free access to the presence of God. His blessing is as universal as light and His message is for the ears of the whole world, with no boundaries to grace and with mercy for those who seek Him with contrition of soul, calling every soul to join with Him in hanging the helpless soul upon Him and drawing every soul to Him.
One Household in God
Through Him both the far off and the nigh have access by one Spirit to the Father, for He proclaimed peace to both and reconciled both to God through His blood and His death on the cross. That access is one shared way to the Father, and it makes believers one rather than leaving them divided. The peace belongs to that common approach through the Spirit, joining those once separated from God and from one another into one household as God's dwelling place.
They are therefore no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Those once without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. This household is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. He made both one by breaking down the middle wall of partition, abolishing the enmity, making in Himself of two one new man, and reconciling both to God in one body by the cross.
Joined together and fitly framed, they grow into a holy temple in the Lord for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Worshipers themselves are the temple of the living God, so even the most splendid temple or house of worship amounts to nothing if hearts are not right. The greatest anxiety must therefore be over spiritual condition, because God meets with His people in His house in the presence of God and angels. Children must be taught reverence in coming in and going out of the house of worship and have their thoughts directed heavenward in the knowledge that God meets with His people there.
The verse contains an instructive lesson for those not working in harmony, calling them to unity and peace in Christ. Harsh, unchristlike conduct can hurt souls both near and far off.
Peace Received and Lived
The peace announced to the distant and the near is a present reality among believers, established as unity and love, accomplished by the Holy Spirit, and accepted with gratitude toward the heavenly Father. It is comfort in times of depression and is to be read carefully because it is full of instruction. Salvation is by grace through faith as the gift of God, and Christ dwells in the heart by faith when He is contemplated, beheld, and constantly cherished as the dearest, best, and most honored Friend, so that no action grieves or offends Him.
That indwelling cleanses the human heart from all moral impurity, ennobles and sanctifies the whole nature, and makes the person a temple for the Holy Spirit. Rooted and grounded in love, such a one is enabled to grasp the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of God that surpasses knowledge. Faith rests not in feeling but in truth, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself as chief cornerstone, formed into a dwelling place of God through the Spirit.
That faith does not stagger when Satan's hellish shadow is thrown across the pathway to hinder faith and eclipse the light from Jesus the Sun of Righteousness, but cuts through that shadow. When faces turn toward Christ, the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness are received, for God draws near to those who draw near to Him with humble minds, confession of sin, and sincere prayer for help prompted by the Holy Spirit. The Son of God came to earth with this life-giving and light-giving message of peace for all who were near and all who were far off, to be heard by all people as the herald of truth.
Those who have been quickened from death in trespasses and sins share the same work with Christ, carrying a burden for other souls dead in sin and making personal effort in the name of Jesus to bring them to a knowledge of the truth. Loving service can break down religious prejudice and help win people to Him, since through His blood people of every nation, race, and social group are brought near to God with no distinction between Jew and Greek or slave and free. In Christ, Jew and Gentile, black and white, free and enslaved are equal in God's sight and joined in shared brotherhood through His message of mercy and forgiveness. Through His strength people grow and live fruitful lives filled with the power of the Spirit.
Gospel to Every Place
The message of mercy, forgiveness and peace in Christ must be preached to every creature under heaven, to be heard by all people as the Herald of truth, reaching both those nigh and those afar off. Christ came to earth with that life- and light-giving message, bringing near by His blood those who were without God and without hope in the world. It is to be received by faith and then preached in turn by those who received it, who must cooperate with God in saving souls and dispense it faithfully as those who must give an account. Some must carry it to far-off lands, but many are appointed to a large and important home missionary field without going abroad.
That work includes carrying the gospel to distant peoples while giving attention to those nearby. It reaches people beyond familiar Christian communities as well as those close at hand, and church members are to be taught by example and instruction to enlighten, encourage and help save perishing souls, not only those already in the churches. It embraces homeless and helpless children who need care and education. It embraces one's own family, who need sympathy and the bread of life.
Following Christ as a living missionary who went from place to place, labor is not to be confined to a fixed locality or humanly prescribed limits, nor limited to one branch, but without sectional feeling. The work given to those called to preach is to widen the field of labor and do all they can to give the truth to those near and far away, annexing new territory and sending laborers to fields that have never heard the message. Gospel work must get away from smallness and make broader, larger plans with a wider reaching forth that labors for both classes, a responsibility resting especially on conference leaders and on all united to Christ.
The truth must go to both groups, and engaging in bringing that invitation of mercy for which He gave His life gives the highest satisfaction to heavenly intelligences. The work includes special efforts for the enlightenment of the Jews, with encouragement by words and means for those called to that ministry and through literature to bring them understanding, because every soul converted causes joy in heaven and in the heavenly courts. It includes giving words of warning to those near at hand and far away as the Lord's coming approaches.
Means for Carrying Peace
The gospel of the kingdom is what the world urgently needs, and it must be carried to those who are near and to those who are far away through the circulation of books and other publications. The message of peace is for both groups alike, and publications are the appointed means for spreading it among them.
Schools are to be educating schools that qualify youth to become missionaries by precept and example for both fields, at home and in far-off lands. Many are appointed to a large and important home missionary field without going abroad, while some must carry the message of mercy and peace in Christ to distant lands. Their work is to lead children and youth, purchased by the blood of the Son of God, to believe in Christ as personal Saviour.
God has provided everything whereby people may become laborers together with Him in spreading the knowledge of the truth to those nigh and to those afar off, to every family under heaven. The reason that preaching of peace has not reached all is that people ceased to progress and did not follow on to know the Lord, not that God was unwilling to fulfill His word. The Lord qualifies those who bear that message, and they become effective through Christ working in them as they become prepared.
Christ's lessons, words, and example, when presented in simplicity, are the most precious subjects and are the power and wisdom of God to save those who believe. That preaching of peace is comprehensive and adapted to all classes, both those nigh and those afar off. People must have this truth as it is in Jesus or they will die in their sins, for it is not the assertions of men, uncertainties, speculations, or idle tales.
Opening the way for that preaching involves faithful stewardship, with tithe set apart as sacred and used to support those who carry salvation and the light of truth throughout the world to people near and far. Those who desire the Holy Spirit are to use their gifts wherever needed for spreading the truth in places both near and far, and converted people of means, transformed in character, are to act as God's helping hand by using entrusted capital for reform and restoration. Every man, woman, and child is to practice strict economy in all expenditures and consecrate what is saved to advance God's work, making such an outlay of means with tact and discretion as will work the greatest good for those Christ purchased with His own blood. The Lord's ministers must carry the message of truth and peace to unworked places nigh and to places afar off, including India, Australia, the Southern Field, and other foreign fields, and money should be given to send them there rather than consumed on home conveniences, facilities, and heavier burdens the Lord never directed.
Laboring with all God-given strength to save those nigh and afar off is cooperating with God in His great enterprise of mercy for the salvation of perishing souls. It is the service highest in His estimation who gave Himself a willing offering to save a guilty race, most dear to the heart of infinite love, and bringing the greatest satisfaction and joy to the Father and the Son and to heavenly intelligences. Those who so labor will share in the Redeemer's joy when the redeemed stand around the throne of God. Those who bear the message of mercy to perishing souls near and far must themselves be under discipline to God, keeping simplicity and trust without sinking individuality in any living person, and the Lord will teach wisdom to all who seek Him whatever their calling, as the peace received by faith is preached in turn to every creature under heaven by those entrusted with it as those who must give an account.