Access to God through Christ: Unity in the Body of Christ

Ephesians 2:18 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁸for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

This verse explains that through faith in Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father, or God. The phrase “through him” refers to Jesus, who made this access possible through His death and resurrection.

The phrase “by one Spirit” suggests that it is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to have access to the Father. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and He is the source of power and life for believers. It is through His work in our lives that we are able to experience the love and grace of God and have access to Him.

Overall, this verse is a reminder of the reconciling work of Jesus and the fact that through faith in Him, we can have access to the Father and experience His love and grace. It is a reminder of the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the fact that it is through Him that we are able to have this access to the Father.

For through him – The word “him” refers to Jesus Christ. Paul is saying that access to the Father is only possible through Jesus.

We both – The phrase “we both” refers to both Jews and Gentiles, who were previously separated by their religious practices.

Have access – The Greek word used here is “prosagoge” which means the right of introduction, an opening of the way, an entrance. It emphasizes that before Christ, there was no access to God but through Christ, there is an opening and an entrance to the Father.

In one Spirit – The word “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit, who is the third person of the Trinity. Paul emphasizes that access to the Father is not through human efforts or merit but through the work of the Holy Spirit.

To the Father – The Father is the first person of the Trinity and the ultimate goal of Christian faith and worship. Paul is emphasizing that through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, believers have access to the Father.

Overall, this verse emphasizes that through Jesus Christ, Jews and Gentiles have access to God the Father, and this access is granted by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is also emphasizing that unity in the body of Christ, regardless of their background, is possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Historical and Cultural Context

Ephesians 2:18 is part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Church, written in the mid-first century. At that time, there were two main groups in the early Christian community: Jews and Gentiles. Jews were the people who were born into the Jewish faith and who followed the laws and practices of Judaism. Gentiles, on the other hand, were non-Jews who had not converted to Judaism.

In the historical and cultural context of the time, there was a significant divide between Jews and Gentiles. Jews believed that they were the chosen people of God and that access to God could only be obtained through following the laws and practices of Judaism. Gentiles, on the other hand, were seen as outsiders who did not have access to God.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, emphasizes that through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access to God the Father. He is pointing out that the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles has been broken down by the death of Jesus Christ, and that access to God is not based on their background or their adherence to the laws of Judaism but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Additionally, Paul emphasizes that this access to the Father is granted by the work of the Holy Spirit. This means that it is not based on human efforts or merit but on the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.

Therefore, in the historical and cultural context of the time, Ephesians 2:18 emphasizes the unity of the believers in Christ, regardless of their background. It also emphasizes that access to God the Father is granted through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit and is not based on adherence to the laws of Judaism.