Devine Scripture

Ephesians 2:18

What does Ephesians 2:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 2:18 means

Through Christ, both Jew and Gentile have direct “access” in one Spirit to the Father. This is a succinct picture of the Trinity at work in salvation: the Son is the mediator, the Spirit is the uniting presence, and the Father is the goal. Access means welcome, not mere permission; believers come as children to their Father. The old barriers are gone; no second-class status remains. Prayer, worship, and fellowship flow from this shared nearness. The unity described is not organizational but spiritual—rooted in the common work of the Spirit and the one way provided by Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because through him the two of us are able to come near in one Spirit to the Father.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because through him we have the access--we both--in one Spirit unto the Father.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For through him we have both access by one Spirit to the Father.

Context

Verse 18 is the climax of the reconciliation section (vv. 13–18), showing its ultimate result: equal approach to the Father. It answers the implicit question, “What does this peace accomplish?” With access secured, verses 19–22 will describe the new identity and structure of the people of God—citizenship, household, and temple imagery—built on Christ.

v.17and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:

v.18This passage

v.19So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,

Cross references

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

  • John 10:7

    Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

  • Jude 1:20

    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

  • Ephesians 6:18

    with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • 1 Peter 3:18

    Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

  • Romans 8:26

    And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;

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