Ephesians 2:17
17 And [kai] came [erchomai] and preached [euaggelizo]
peace [eirene] to you [humin] which [ho] were afar off, [makran] and [kai] to them that were
nigh. [eggus]KJV-Interlinear
17 And
He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who
were near; NASB
Jesus Christ came to
humanity and preached the gospel and doctrine.
Peace, ‘eirene,’ means
prosperity, quietness, rest, to set as one from being scattered, to be brought
together into oneself.
The gospel teaches
salvation, and doctrine teaches maturity.
Both combined accomplish the spiritual fullness of life.
To those afar off and to
those who are near, is a reference to all peoples everywhere, regardless of
their location near or far from God.
This means gentiles, who
are typically portrayed as far off, as foreigners, as strangers, as
outsiders. Likewise the Jewish people
viewed themselves as those who were near, the chosen people, the keepers of the
Law and the scriptures.
But this principle really
applies to all people, both unbeliever and believer. The unbeliever is far off or outside of Gods
family, and the believer is near or inside of Gods family.
Doctrine is made
available to everyone. It is not made
available by man, but by God Himself.
Man has failed miserably throughout history in bringing Gods word to
humanity. The Jews were selfish. The gentiles were tyrannical. Nations are here for but one purpose and that
is to establish and to maintain a safe structure so that its citizens can learn
and grow in Christ. Unfortunately the
nations of history had different ideas which more or less excluded or misused God,
with a very few exceptions.
But regardless of mans
failure, God still makes available, the gospel and doctrine to all who want it.
E-Books, E-Book Reader
Your Comments
Daily Bible Study Quick Links
Subscription Options
