Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus, &c.] Being openly and visibly in Christ, created in him, and become believers in him; as they were before secretly in him, as chosen and blessed in him before the foundation of the world: ye who sometimes were far off; who in their state of unregeneracy were afar off from God, and from his law, and from any spiritual knowledge of him and fellowship with him; and from Jesus Christ, and from the knowledge of his righteousness, and the way of salvation by him; and from the Spirit, and any acquaintance with the things of the Spirit, and from minding them, and from walking after him; and from the saints and people of God, and from any love to them, and communion with…”

“now--in contrast to "at that time" (Eph 2:12). in Christ Jesus--"Jesus" is here added, whereas the expression before (Eph 2:12) had been merely "Christ," to mark that they know Christ as the personal Saviour, "Jesus." sometimes--Greek, "aforetime." far off--the Jewish description of the Gentiles. Far off from God and from the people of God (Eph 2:17; Isa 57:19; Act 2:39). are--Greek, "have been." by--Greek, "in." Thus "the blood of Christ" is made the seal of a covenant IN which their nearness to God consists. In Eph 1:7, where the blood is more directly spoken of as the instrument, it is "through His blood" [ALFORD].”

“But now, in Christ Jesus - By the coming and atonement of the Lord Jesus, and by the gospel which he preached. Ye who sometimes were afar off - Who were “formerly” - ποτὲ pote Tyndale translates it, “a whyle agoo.” The phrase “afar off” - μακρὰν makran - means that they were formerly far off from God and his people. The expression is derived from the custom of speaking among the Hebrews. God was supposed to reside in the temple. It was a privilege to be near the temple. Those who were remote from Jerusalem and the temple were regarded as far off from God, and hence as especially irreligious and wicked; see the notes at Isaiah 57:19. Are made nigh - Are admitted to the favor of God, and…”

“Far off - From God and his people. Nigh - Intimately united to both. Ephesians 2:14”

“2:13 Only by being united with Christ Jesus through trust in him can a person be reconciled to God (see Rom 5:10-12; 2 Cor 5:18-21). The blood of Christ—his sacrificial death—makes this possible (see Eph 1:7; Rom 3:24-25; 5:9; Col 1:20; cp. Heb 9:12-15; 1 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5; 5:9).”

“in: Rom 8:1; Co1 1:30; Co2 5:17; Gal 3:28 were: Eph 2:12, Eph 2:17, Eph 2:19-22, Eph 3:5-8; Psa 22:7, Psa 73:27; Isa 11:10, Isa 24:15, Isa 24:16, Isa 43:6, Isa 49:12; Isa 57:19, Isa 60:4, Isa 60:9, Isa 66:19; Jer 16:19; Act 2:39, Act 15:14, Act 22:21, Act 26:18; Rom 15:8-12 are: Eph 2:16, Eph 1:7; Rom 3:23-30, Rom 5:9, Rom 5:10; Co1 6:11; Co2 5:20, Co2 5:21; Col 1:13, Col 1:14, Col 1:21, Col 1:22; Heb 9:18; Pe1 1:18, Pe1 1:19, Pe1 3:18; Rev 5:9 Ephesians 2:14”