Ephesians 2-3

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (2:17-18). The shocking message of the cross was that both Jew and Gentile were saved only “by grace through faith” (2:8) in the Messiah. The foreign, excluded Gentiles had become fellow citizens with Israel, pillars of the same holy temple, indwelt by the Spirit (2:12-19).

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would have “power” to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (3:17-18). The world sows discord and division; the Spirit empowers us to grasp the love of Christ for ourselves and for one another.