Homily VI.
Chapter II. Verses 17–22
“And He came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were
nigh, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. So then ye are
no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God, being built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ
Jesus Himself being the chief corner-stone. In whom each several building, fitly framed to-
gether, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded together for a
habitation of God in the Spirit.”
He sent not, saith the Apostle, by the hand of another, nor did He announce these tidings
to us by means of any other, but Himself did it in His own person. He sent not Angel nor
Archangel on the mission, because to repair so many and vast mischiefs and to declare what
had been wrought was in the power of none other, but required His own coming.235 The
Lord then took upon Himself the rank of a servant, nay, almost of a minister, “and came,
and preached peace to you,” saith he, “that were far off, and to them that were nigh.” To the
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Jews, he means, who as compared with ourselves were nigh. “For through Him we both
have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.”
“Peace,” saith he, that “peace” which is towards God. He hath reconciled us. For the
Lord Himself also saith, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you.” (John xiv. 27.)
And again, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John xvi. 33.) And again,
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do.” (John xiv. 14.) And again, “For the
Father loveth you.” (John xvi. 27.) These are so many evidences of peace. But how towards
the Gentiles? “Because through Him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father,”
not ye less, and they more, but all by one and the same grace. The wrath He appeased by
His death, and hath made us meet for the Father’s love through the Spirit. Mark again, the
“in” means “by” or “through.” By Himself and the Spirit that is, He hath brought us unto
the Father. “So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but fellow-citizens with the
saints.”
Perceive ye that it is not with the Jews simply, no, but with those saintly and great men,
such as Abraham, and Moses, and Elias? It is for the self-same city with these we are enrolled,
for that we declare ourselves. “For they that say such things,” saith he, “make it manifest
that they are seeking after a country of their own.” (Heb. xi. 14.) No longer are we strangers
235 [This passage does not refer to His bodily advent upon earth, as Chrysostom interprets, but following
the account of his crucifixion more naturally refers to a spiritual advent, namely in the Holy Spirit, (in so far as
it is Christ’s spirit) Christ Himself came. He is our peace; yes, and He came and by His spirit and the mouths
of the Apostles He preached it.—Meyer and Ellicott.—G.A.]
Ephesians 2:17-22
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Ephesians 2:17-22