Ephesians 2:17 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 2:17 mean?

Ephesians 2:17 says that Jesus came and announced peace to both those who were far away and those who were near. This means that the message of peace was offered to all people, no matter their background or previous distance from God.

The apostle Paul is writing to believers in Ephesus, many of whom were Gentiles (non-Jews). In the context of this letter, "those who were afar off" refers to Gentiles, while "those who were nigh" refers to Jews. Paul is emphasizing that Jesus brought the same message of reconciliation and peace to both groups, breaking down the old divisions.

The Greek behind Ephesians 2:17

• εἰρήνη (eirēnē, "peace"): This Greek word means more than just the absence of conflict; it often carries the idea of wholeness, well-being, and restored relationship. Here, it highlights the kind of peace Jesus brings—restoring people to God and to one another.
• μακράν (makran, "afar off") and ἐγγύς (engys, "nigh"): These words show the distance between Gentiles ("afar off") and Jews ("nigh") in terms of their previous relationship to God. The verse stresses that both groups are now equally invited to receive peace.

Why Ephesians 2:17 matters

• Ephesians 2:17 clears up the idea that Jesus' message was only for one group; Paul insists it was for everyone, regardless of their starting point.
• This verse connects to the wider theme of Ephesians 2, where Paul explains how Jesus unites people who were once separated by religious and cultural barriers.
• By using the language of distance and nearness, Paul shows that no one is too far away to be reached by the peace Jesus brings.