And came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to them that were near.
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Cyprian of Carthage
AD 258
Also Paul to the Ephesians: "And when He had come, He preached peace to you, to those which are afar off, and peace to those which are near, because through Him we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father."
He distinguishes “those who are far off” from “those who are near.” This refers to the Gentiles and Jews. For the Jews are obviously close and the Gentiles far off. Yet the Savior himself has brought the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul here mentions first that Christ by his advent has truly preached peace also to those who are far off, that is, the Gentiles, as is shown by many evidences. For those who come to belief from Gentile backgrounds ironically have a greater claim to be called sons than those from Jewish backgrounds. And yet, so that it may not be denied to the latter, he adds “and those who are near.” .
Peace, says he, that peace which is towards God. He has reconciled us. For the Lord Himself also says, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. John 14:27 And again, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 And again, Whatsoever you shall ask in my name that will I do. John 14:14 And again, For the Father loves you. John 16:27 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 has 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 has brought us unto the Father. So then you 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 th...
Therefore the Spirit and the Gospel will be found in the Christ, who was fore trusted, because foretold. Again, "the Father of glory".
"When, therefore, He came and preached peace to them that were near and to them which were afar off "we both obtained "access to the Father "being "now no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God "(even of Him from whom, as we have shown above, we were aliens, and placed far off), "built upon the foundation of the apostles"
