Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:13

What does Ephesians 2:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:13 means

The turning point arrives: those who were “far off” have been “made nigh” in Christ Jesus, specifically “in the blood of Christ.” His sacrificial death secures access to God and inclusion in his people. Nearness is not achieved by adopting Jewish customs but by union with the crucified and risen Messiah. The blood of Christ cleanses guilt, satisfies justice, and removes barriers. Gentiles are no longer outsiders looking in; they are welcomed into the covenant blessings through Christ alone. This nearness is relational and communal—believers now share in the life of God and fellowship with his people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now in Christ Jesus you who at one time were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and now, in Christ Jesus, ye being once afar off became nigh in the blood of the Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but now in Christ Jesus ye who once were afar off are become nigh by the blood of the Christ.

Context

Verse 13 mirrors the earlier “But God” of verse 4, signaling a gracious reversal. After cataloging Gentile distance in verse 12, Paul now declares nearness through Christ’s blood. Verses 14–16 will explain how this nearness creates peace and a single new humanity out of Jew and Gentile. The focus moves from access to unity, showing that reconciliation with God produces reconciliation with one another.

v.12that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

v.13This passage

v.14For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 3:5

    which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

  • Isaiah 60:9

    Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

  • Romans 15:8

    For I say that Christ hath been made a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given unto the fathers,

  • Ephesians 2:19

    So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

  • Isaiah 60:4

    Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:30

    But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

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