Ephesians 2:17-19

Peace Proclaimed By Christ

Christ proclaimed his fervent desire for peace in his death on the cross. Then, he sent the apostles into all the world with the message of peace (Luke 24:45-48). Just as the Holy Spirit was to speak the message he heard instead of words of his own, so the apostles proclaimed the message of Christ (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:15). We might well say Jesus preached the message of peace through the apostles (2:17; Hebrews 2:34.)

Our means of approach, or access, to the Father is through the Son. The Holy Spirit directs us in that approach through the words of the Bible. The same approach is open to Jew and Gentile, which shows there is no more division (2:18; Acts 10:34-35; Acts 15:7-9; Galatians 3:28-29; Romans 1:14-17).

Foreigners who are just passing through do not have the same privileges as citizens. This was especially true during Rome's dominance of the world. Paul says in Christ Jew and Gentile are fellow citizens. All of the sanctified therefore enjoy the attendant blessings of citizenship in heaven's kingdom, the church. The church is also here called God's family, which brings forth a number of beautiful images of loving relationships (2:19).