Bible Strands
Ephesians 2:17
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian congregation, specifically distinguishing Gentile believers ("far away") from Jewish believers ("near") during the immediate aftermath of Christ's reconciling work on the cross and the resulting shared access to the Father.
The words — ἐλθὼν (elthōn) literally means "having come," and εὐηγγελίσατο (euēngelisato) translates directly as "He evangelised" or "proclaimed good news."
The thread — The declaration of peace to those "far and near" directly quotes the pattern in Isaiah 57:19, while the resulting state of peace with God is grounded in Romans 5:1 and the message sent to Israel in Acts 10:36.
Why it lands — The text states Christ personally brought peace to both groups, requiring readers to acknowledge that the cross already eliminated their hostility and to stop recreating divisions that the message of peace has already resolved.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 57:19 bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
- Acts 10:36 He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
- Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Acts 2:39 This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
- Deuteronomy 4:7 For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
- Psalms 148:14 He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!
- Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
- Zechariah 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
- Psalms 147:19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.
- Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”