Ephesians 2:17
Verse
Context
Sermons
John Gill
St. John Chrysostom
Arthur Blessitt
Thomas Watson
Sir Robert AndersonSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And came and preached peace - Proclaimed the readiness of God to forgive and save both Jews and Gentiles. See the note on Eph 2:13.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "He came and announced glad tidings of peace." "He came" of His own free love, and "announced peace" with His own mouth to the apostles (Luk 24:36; Joh 20:19, Joh 20:21, Joh 20:26); and by them to others, through His Spirit present in His Church (Joh 14:18). Act 26:23 is strictly parallel; after His resurrection "He showed light to the people ('them that were nigh') and to the Gentiles ('you that were afar off')," by His Spirit in His ministers (compare Pe1 3:19). and to them--The oldest manuscripts insert "peace" again: "And peace to them." The repetition implies the joy with which both alike would dwell again and again upon the welcome word "peace." So Isa 57:19.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off,.... Which is to be understood not of Christ's coming in the flesh; for when he came in the flesh, he came only to the Jews that were nigh, and preached the Gospel in his own personal ministry to them, and not to the Gentiles, who are the persons afar off; Eph 2:12 but of his coming by his Spirit in the ministry of his apostles, to whom he gave a commission after he had made peace and reconciliation by the blood of his cross, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in the furthest parts of the earth; and on whom he bestowed gifts, qualifying them for such service, and succeeded them in it by his power and grace: and the subject of their ministry was peace, Christ who is our peace, and peace made by his blood, and the Gospel of peace, which declares both these; and it is the means of making persons of peaceable dispositions; its doctrines and promises, when powerfully applied, give peace to distressed minds, and quiet to doubting saints; and it shows the way to eternal peace: and to them that were nigh; to the Jews, to whom the Gospel of peace was preached in the first place, not only by Christ and his apostles, before his death; but by his apostles after his resurrection, and after the commission was given to preach it to the Gentiles; though they are mentioned last, because the apostle was speaking to Gentiles; and this also verifies what Christ says, the first shall be last, and the last first: the Alexandrian copy, some others, and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, read "peace", in this clause, as in the former; the apostle seems to have respect to Isa 57:19 a like description and distinction of Jews and Gentiles may be observed in the writings of the Jews (h); so they say, "the Israelites are near unto the holy King, and the rest of the nations are far from him.'' (h) Zohar in Numb. fol. 89. 3.
Ephesians 2:17
One in Christ
16and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility.17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.18For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Shewing That the Messiah Was Promised to Abraham, and What Advantages the Nations of the World Were to Receive by Him.
By John Gill0MessiahUniversal SalvationGEN 22:18ISA 49:6JER 31:34MAT 1:1JHN 3:16ACT 10:43ROM 10:20GAL 3:8EPH 2:17HEB 2:16John Gill emphasizes that the Messiah was promised to Abraham, highlighting that through Abraham's seed, all nations would be blessed. He explains that this seed refers specifically to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the prophecy by offering redemption, justification, and peace to both Jews and Gentiles. Gill argues against the notion that the blessings were limited to the Israelites, asserting that the Messiah's coming was intended for the salvation of all people. He outlines the various advantages the nations would receive, including the outpouring of the Spirit and the abundance of knowledge. Ultimately, the sermon underscores the universal significance of the Messiah in God's plan for humanity.
1 Peter 3:19
By John Gill0The Nature of SalvationChrist's PreachingGEN 6:3MAT 12:41LUK 16:22JHN 8:58ROM 10:14EPH 2:17HEB 1:21PE 3:192PE 2:5REV 20:7John Gill explores 1 Peter 3:19, discussing the various interpretations of Christ's preaching to the spirits in prison. He argues against the notion that Christ's human soul descended to hell or a place called 'Limbus Patrum' to save the Old Testament saints, emphasizing that the text refers to Christ's divine nature and the spirits of the disobedient. Gill concludes that the passage likely refers to Christ preaching through Noah to the people of his time, who ultimately faced judgment for their disobedience. He highlights that Christ existed in his divine nature before his incarnation and actively fulfilled his role as Mediator even in the Old Testament. The sermon underscores the continuity of the Gospel message throughout biblical history.
Homily 6 on Ephesians
By St. John Chrysostom0EPH 2:17EPH 3:1EPH 3:6John Chrysostom preaches about the unity and peace brought by Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing that through Him, all believers have access to the Father in one Spirit. He highlights the transformation from strangers to fellow citizens with the saints, being built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone. Chrysostom explains the mystery revealed to him by God, that Gentiles are now fellow heirs, members of the body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
How Much Is the Cross Worth?
By Arthur Blessitt0LUK 2:13LUK 10:5JHN 14:27ROM 12:18GAL 2:20GAL 6:14EPH 2:17EPH 5:11PE 1:21Arthur Blessitt preaches about the immeasurable worth of the cross, emphasizing the sacrificial love of Jesus and the profound impact it has on believers. He delves into the significance of identifying with the cross and Jesus, calling for a crucified life that aligns with God's will. The sermon highlights the fragrant offering of Jesus on the cross, urging followers to imitate God's love and walk in sacrificial love. Arthur Blessitt also reflects on the hope and peace brought by the cross, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice and the message of peace proclaimed at Christmas.
Mystical Union Between Christ and His People
By Thomas Watson0PSA 45:10SNG 2:16JHN 1:16ROM 7:41CO 6:172CO 5:21EPH 2:17EPH 5:32HEB 2:16REV 19:9Thomas Watson preaches about the mystical union between Christ and His people, emphasizing the deep love and connection between Christ and His church. The sermon explores the doctrine of a marital union with Christ, highlighting the twofold union - natural and sacred, and the significance of believers being mystically united to Christ. Watson delves into the eternal nature of this union, the separation required before union, and the purpose of co-habitation and fruit-bearing in this spiritual marriage.
The Silence of God
By Sir Robert Anderson0PSA 50:3ROM 10:9EPH 2:17COL 2:221TI 1:161PE 1:62PE 3:9REV 10:7REV 11:15Sir Robert Anderson preaches about the consequences of challenging God's silence, emphasizing that it signifies the end of grace and mercy and the beginning of divine wrath. He clarifies that the angels' song was not a promise or prophecy but a divine proclamation of peace and goodwill through Jesus Christ. Anderson highlights that the silence of God signifies the culmination of divine revelation and warns of impending judgment for those who reject Christ. He stresses that the Cross of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, answering all doubts and challenges, and that belief in Christ as Lord leads to salvation and fulfillment of God's purpose.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And came and preached peace - Proclaimed the readiness of God to forgive and save both Jews and Gentiles. See the note on Eph 2:13.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Translate, "He came and announced glad tidings of peace." "He came" of His own free love, and "announced peace" with His own mouth to the apostles (Luk 24:36; Joh 20:19, Joh 20:21, Joh 20:26); and by them to others, through His Spirit present in His Church (Joh 14:18). Act 26:23 is strictly parallel; after His resurrection "He showed light to the people ('them that were nigh') and to the Gentiles ('you that were afar off')," by His Spirit in His ministers (compare Pe1 3:19). and to them--The oldest manuscripts insert "peace" again: "And peace to them." The repetition implies the joy with which both alike would dwell again and again upon the welcome word "peace." So Isa 57:19.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off,.... Which is to be understood not of Christ's coming in the flesh; for when he came in the flesh, he came only to the Jews that were nigh, and preached the Gospel in his own personal ministry to them, and not to the Gentiles, who are the persons afar off; Eph 2:12 but of his coming by his Spirit in the ministry of his apostles, to whom he gave a commission after he had made peace and reconciliation by the blood of his cross, to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in the furthest parts of the earth; and on whom he bestowed gifts, qualifying them for such service, and succeeded them in it by his power and grace: and the subject of their ministry was peace, Christ who is our peace, and peace made by his blood, and the Gospel of peace, which declares both these; and it is the means of making persons of peaceable dispositions; its doctrines and promises, when powerfully applied, give peace to distressed minds, and quiet to doubting saints; and it shows the way to eternal peace: and to them that were nigh; to the Jews, to whom the Gospel of peace was preached in the first place, not only by Christ and his apostles, before his death; but by his apostles after his resurrection, and after the commission was given to preach it to the Gentiles; though they are mentioned last, because the apostle was speaking to Gentiles; and this also verifies what Christ says, the first shall be last, and the last first: the Alexandrian copy, some others, and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, read "peace", in this clause, as in the former; the apostle seems to have respect to Isa 57:19 a like description and distinction of Jews and Gentiles may be observed in the writings of the Jews (h); so they say, "the Israelites are near unto the holy King, and the rest of the nations are far from him.'' (h) Zohar in Numb. fol. 89. 3.