Ephesians 6:21-24, Good Old Tychicus

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. ²² I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

(Verses 21-24)

There is much here, and a lot can be seen that communicates Paul’s heart. He’s laid out a ton of theology, and now Paul ends his ‘beefy’ letter with this final benediction or blessing. These final verses are not doctrine so much as they are God’s window into the apostle’s heart.

You are Ephesus. The letter is written to you just as much as that church, and reading (and rereading) we really need to see ourselves as Ephesus (albeit 2000 years removed). The letter belongs to you as much as it belonged to the churches in Asia Minor. You really need to realize this as it changes it from history to personal accountability.

Ephesians is your personal letter from ‘home.’

Please see this as it alters the entire book. It is yours and shouldn’t ever be regulated as fine ideas or sterile theology. This letter belongs to you personally. So dear one, make it yours, for you are God’s target, and as a believer, you are loved!

Tychicus has been chosen to carry this letter to the Ephesians, which will be sent to all the churches in Asia Minor. I’m pretty sure copies will be made, and the original will stay with the bishop of Ephesus. The journey though will be a long one, and the messenger must travel from Rome to Ephesus which only the brave would do. It could be difficult.

“Travelers journeyed in convoy, sometimes hiring soldiers to protect them from robbers who preyed on the unsuspecting. Roman roads made things somewhat easier but still, walking, perhaps hiring a donkey or paying for passage on a merchant’s ship… Travel was for the brave and the strong.”

(https://cloudofwitnesses.org.uk/studies/tychicus)

Tychicus is mentioned 6x in the NT. He was a ‘gospel-veteran’ who ministered with Paul in various places in the Roman empire. Incidentally, it appears he had a good relationship with Timothy who was a new pastor of the church in Ephesus. Tychicus was someone whom Paul trusted implicitly. He was carrying Paul’s heart.

Tychicus was loyal, brave, and completely reliable. I think Paul had confidence that he would do everything necessary to make sure this letter would get through. We find that he was able to do this (thank God). We owe a spiritual debt to this man.

We can skim through this passage and never really see Tychicus at all.

Tychicus seems to have no real preaching ability, but he is called “beloved” and “faithful” in verse 21. In verse 22 he is called a “brother” and a “minister.” That word for minister is διάκονος, deacon and it means “a servant of a king” or a “waiter of tables.” I believe that reveals someone who is a minister to the needy (which is no small thing).

Paul closes his letter with a benediction.

In verses 23-24, we see the blessing is given to the church. He pronounces “peace,” “love,” and “faith.” He speaks out of God’s heart to the Ephesians, and as a leader, he is conveying God’s own blessing. A proper benediction always originates from Him and is hardly just a nice word. It is a powerful thing.

“Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”

(verse 24)

Ephesians 6:13-17, Going to War

¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,“

Eph. 6:13-17, ESV

You’re called to be armor-plated. Ephesians is quite clear about this, and we DARE not live without spiritual protection, and as a matter of fact, we must wear each piece to survive spiritually. To be ‘naked’ is to invite disaster. Neglecting to dress appropriately brings cataclysmic disaster. We dare not minimize the need for armor.

Each piece listed must be worn. This is a scriptural mandate for every believer in Jesus.

“The whole armor of God” explains the equipment we need to survive spiritually. Here’s a list and a brief comment on the six:

• The belt of truth–this pulls everything together and holds us and keeps us secure in the truth.
• The breastplate of righteousness–our spiritual heart is protected by knowing we’re accepted by the Father. Being right with God is not a feeling nor is it a mere hopeful wish.
• The shoes of the gospel (of peace)–the idea of standing in place (“to stand”) explain our ability to be fixed on grace. When we wear battle shoes we cannot be pushed back or lose our footing. Wearing gospel shoes brings us spiritual stability. We can stand in place, rooted and strong.
• The shield of faith–is a vital way of protecting ourselves from the evil arrows shot by the enemy. Satan targets us when he thinks that we aren’t using faith to defend ourselves.
• The helmet of salvation–this is the realization that our mind is protected. This vital piece brings us wholeness as we understand what Jesus has done. We know we are saved and wearing our helmet is our protection from demonic-inspired lies.
• The sword of the Holy Spirit–the only offensive weapon we have, and it’s all we need. The Word of God will frighten the enemy and push him back. The Word slices and cuts down every obstacle and every lie.

Only those who are spiritual perceive the reality of the spiritual foe and hence engage in battle. Such warfare is not fought with arms of the flesh. Because the conflict is spiritual so must the weapons.

     Watchman Nee

I must stress that clothing yourself is vital. You dare not live spiritually naked wearing nothing. You will be totally vulnerable to the satanic wickedness that is swirling around you. I’m afraid it’s all very real and sobering and there is no escape clause until you finally arrive in heaven.

“We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one.”

1 John 5:19, Amplified Bible

I’m afraid you haven’t been given an option in all of this. Our battle equipment in Ephesians 6 is not just some theological preference or concept. It’s real.

Over 40 years of following Jesus have taught me that most believers struggle because they won’t arm themselves for battle. They refuse to acknowledge the environment they’re in and don’t realize the spiritual battle they are facing. They like the sentiment behind this particular passage, (it stirs their heart) but the reality of the battle never fully sinks in.

They end up leaving their armor behind.

The good news is that we have already won because of what the Lord has done. Wearing the armor strengthens and stabilizes us. He pours out His grace, and there will be times of rest of that I am certain. “He leads me beside still waters.”

As obedient and faithful believers we need to realize we’re secure in Him. Yes, there is a terrible fight, but “The battle is the Lord’s.”

“For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.”

Psalm 18:39, ESV

Ephesians 6:5-9, For God Alone

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. ⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

⁹ Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Eph. 6:5-9, NLT

There was an estimated 8 million slaves in the ancient Roman empire. Many were drawn to the Church partly because of its message of equality and impartiality. This was revolutionary, it simply wasn’t even considered in the society of the day. Christianity was seen by slaves as a way to be liberated even if they still had their chains.

Slavery is wrong–it’s wicked and awful, and we’re glad it’s very much eradicated. Today we still know it exists, but it’s not anything that’s tolerated.

The faith we have in Jesus has changed things so much.

Paul writes to slaves and masters. He addresses the reality of the day, and yet he doesn’t condemn anyone. Slavery is pretty much enmeshed in his culture, but he doesn’t confront it directly. Today some would suggest he was wrong, that he needed to confront and tackle this head-on, but this isn’t what he chooses to do.

Instead, he directly put both slave and master on an equal standing. They must honor the Lord Jesus, for He regards both under His authority. Paul stresses the equality of a slave and a master, and that’s not an option. Both serve each other and both are submitted to one who is over both.

All have the same master. We’re called to serve Jesus who sees all as equals.

In 1st century Rome this was insanely radical. This passage was dynamite to the societal structures of the day and would shake the collective roots of Paul’s readers. The Ephesian’s teeth would rattle. Both slave and master are equals!

We have a lot to learn here.

• We each serve Jesus who is our true Lord and master.
• Completely submitted to Him changes the way we see each other.
• Although society esteems its present structures, as believers we recognize we’re not part of them.
• Finally, the Gospel totally changes everything.

The message of Paul and the Lordship of Jesus has flipped society on its head and we realize our lives have been totally changed.

In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Colossians 3:11

Ephesians 5:6-9, All Aboard!

⁶ “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do.”

⁸ “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.“

Eph. 5:6-9, NLT

I can see two major hubs–one going away and one moving toward God. Think of a train station with two separate tracks with trains going in opposite directions. One goes east and the other goes west.

Verses 6-7 warn us that the train going one way will definitely destroy those traveling that way–a derailment or a bridge collapse maybe. But something will happen. However, the one that’s traveling to the light will doubtless find it. When we see it that way a decision to board is easy.

“Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 

Fooled has the idea of being tricked into the deception or delusion of another. There are some who will argue, persuasively attempting to draw you in. “Sin? I’m different.” No matter how reasonable they sound, something isn’t quite right (you feel it).

“The anger of God.” Is that doctrine even acceptable anymore?

“Don’t participate in the things these people do.”

The idea behind “participate” is rather chilling. It’s a compound made up of two words: union and companionship, and to become one.

The word “participate” was a word used to become a guest at a special feast.

We’re expressly told not to do this.

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord.“

There’s quite a contrast here:

• darkness and light
• once and now
• full and have

“So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.“

According to verse 9, God’s light inside you is quite productive. The English Standard Version is very helpful here–“for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.”

We’re now people of light! God has poured Himself into each believer.

“The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side.“

    G.K. Chesterton

Ephesians 5:1-2, To Mimic Jesus

5 “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Eph. 5:1-2, NLT

The original Greek for “imitate” is μιμητής, the core word “mime.” The opening concept here is to become a mime of God, which is a bit daunting. A more casual idea is to become a copycat, someone who duplicates the things known and seen by another.

We are His children, and we carry a heavenly heredity that identifies us as God’s own. As the Father’s own, living by faith, means you have taken a spiritual “DNA test” which unequivocally declares this truth. No one can take it away, it’s real. It is a documented fact.

The calling of a disciple, or “mimicry” can be seen throughout the New Testament. You and I are called to imitate our leaders, watching and discerning their faithful walk. Perhaps that’s why so much is placed on their lifestyles.

“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11:1

This is the apostle Paul’s concentrated message–it’s the boiled-down essence of his message to the Church. It’s what he desires most to see in a human being called to Christ and following our leaders.

We need to know what “imitating Christ” really means–to follow Him in the world in obedience. To follow His example, to mimic Jesus, and to do what He did.

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20

“He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (verse 2)

Jesus was your sacrifice, a lamb given for sin, iniquity, perversion, and sickness. What He did was more acceptable than we realize. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 40:2:

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
    and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over
    for all her sins.”

3:20-21, “To Him Be Glory”

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.“

This passage is a doxology to the prayer (verses 14-19) that drove Paul to his knees. A doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God. In light of everything that has happened to us, this is to be Paul’s obvious next step–it’s logical and fitting. He has to do this.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,”

“Able to do” is a phrase that stresses the power of God to do anything He wants–even seemingly impossible things (like ‘raising’ us up). I think He has done this to us the Church! The phrase to do is dynamai where we get the English word, “dynamite.”

“Far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” That word ‘abundantly’ is the Greek word, hyper which needs no definition for us–it’s obvious. The “ask or think” part of v. 20 suggests that what has happened is way beyond any hope or dream we have; it’s far beyond what we consider possible.

It is our dream come true.

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,”

There’s only one response possible to all that He’s done we declare (and live) in His glory. We need to declare that same glory and pass it on to others. As old Christians, we need to recognize a new generation of believers following us who need us to pass on that glorious “good news.”

“Forever and ever. Amen.”

Who can say more?

3:15-17, He’s Inside You, Right Now!

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,.”

Prayer does what preaching can’t. Some need a reminder. This idea of being “rooted and grounded in love” is crucial to growing up Christians. And it most often happens when the preacher is driven to his knees by a sticky situation.

Teaching has certain limitations, but prayer drives discipleship home.

You must settle on this spiritual fact, only a disciple can make a disciple. Too many preachers are developing believers who don’t understand a prayer life. They end up using the pulpit (and the worship) as their sole ‘means of support.’ I can guess you can see how tragic this becomes.

A prayer meeting is almost unheard of lately. The focus has shifted I suppose, but I still believe that there are still small groups of Christians who believe that both doctrine and prayer are God’s way of growing us up into His image.

Strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

Prayer is Paul’s way of building up the Ephesian church. In my personal opinion, he was locked up in a Roman prison for a couple of good reasons–the first is that he would discover he could disciple at a distance. Paul seems to understand this, and he rediscovers the way of intercession.

Prayer for Paul becomes a tool of considerable force.

Ephesians 3 papyrus from c. 275 A.D.

from wikipedia.org

The “inner being” is what he’s aiming at, and it’s Paul’s way of touching the heart of anyone the Holy Spirit is dealing with. Mr. Dry Eyes will never reach the hearts that the Father is working in. Rather it is tears, not impeccable logic or great theology that completes the work.

The walk of a true disciple is always inside first, never the outside.

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

The immense power is Jesus living inside us. Faith is God’s own key that He gives. Love is our root; it helps us grow. It gives us stability which is critical living in a confused and fallen world.

“The church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray.”

   A.W. Tozer

ephesians101.com

3:6-7, Everyone is Equal in God’s Eyes

“And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.”

⁷ “By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.”

Equality is defined as “being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.” Paul uses this to explain God’s plan for the Church. It means there are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. Everyone shares everything God gives, everyone is equal and can receive that wonderful grace. Jews and Gentiles are now ‘one and the same.’

Can you understand exactly how radical this idea is?

“And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children.“

This is a revolutionary idea, never advanced by anyone else but by Paul. We have no idea living in the 21st century of the tension that existed in the 1st. But Paul presses this idea–God insists that everyone is the same. The Jews have no right to insist on a superior place in the Lord’s plan–this is nothing more than ‘crazy talk.’

Both the Jews and those pesky Gentiles are sharing God’s grace–there’s a spiritual pile of gold, diamonds, and rubies enough for everyone. Sure this is spiritual, but each group can freely take all that they need. And I for one suck at grace–desperately. But when I cry out to Him for mercy, God invites me to come.

But the real issue is ‘believing.’

“Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.”

Jesus is our ultimate superior in everything. The obvious issue is one of ‘believing’ in Him. Both Jews and Gentiles can now relish the ‘promise of blessings’ that Jesus Christ now gives. Both groups share the advantage of being His favorites.

‘Belonging’ is now our calling. Wow!

To belong means an attachment to something or someone. We’re a people who are now Jesus’ possession. We’re His, and He has fastened us to Himself–we now belong to Jesus. I suppose this is now an incredible blessing, especially to the discouraged, the defeated, and the depressed.

“By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.”

This is the powerful scope and privilege of Paul’s ministry. He’s a mere servant and he understands that He must communicate the Gospel. Paul understands his ‘privilege’ in this. It isn’t a burden for Paul, but an honor.

We must see that God’s grace and power energize Paul. He shares with us all that he knows.

We have to be energized by Him, we need His grace to survive spiritually. We must understand that His fuel is to give life to the spiritually needy.

I think I might understand.

This is something that motivates Paul. He understands what he is and what he’s called to teach. The Gospel must be communicated in the bright light of God’s favor. Without this Paul cannot operate, the ‘Good News’ means both Jews and Gentiles are singular, and he explains that each group is one. Both must understand this.

Grace is all there is. And grace is all that really matters.

3:1-5, A Captivated Captive

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles ² assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. ³ As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. ⁴ As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. ⁵ God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit, he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

Paul was a prisoner as he wrote all this down. During the day he could move around a house, but must always be accompanied by a Roman guard. At night he was chained to a soldier so he would not escape. He would spend almost four years in Rome under house arrest.

Ephesians is remarkable in that Paul didn’t make his personal imprisonment an issue, this is the only mention of his situation to his readers.

“When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles.”

Paul definitely wore Roman chains, but he was never, ever their prisoner. Rather, he wore his fetters because it was Jesus’ will for him! Those iron shackles were worn for other believers. The Gentiles were always God’s focus. Paul’s imprisonment was for their advantage–he understood this. (I’m sure it was never easy though.)

Now he had plenty of time to write and pray for those things which were needed by the Church.

According to tradition, these are Paul’s chains on display at the Chapel of the Relics, the Basilica of Saint Paul in Rome.

“Assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.” 

Paul understood his calling and gifting. This isn’t a casual thing–it was his “responsibility.” He saw his work of extending God’s grace and love to the Ephesians (and most were Gentiles).

The word “responsibility” is οἰκονομία— it means “someone who directs the affairs of an important estate, a manager or an overseer, a head butler.” Paul understands that God’s house must have someone to be an administrator to oversee this ministry.

The Gentiles needed someone like Paul to explain to them about grace, and love, and mercy. He did this very well.

“As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. ⁴ As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ.“

(Briefly? Not sure about that.) 🙂

The source of this revelation was “God Himself,” which emphasizes its seriousness. It was a “revelation,” something mysterious that needed an explanation. Paul was charged by God to communicate this to Gentiles.

Ephesians chapters 1-2 explain this revelation. Paul wants them to read (and reread) until they understand “this plan.” Furthermore, Christ is the fulfillment of this “good news,” He Himself is the Gospel. Jesus Christ just isn’t a new twist on salvation, but He’s the Way we are saved. The Gospel isn’t a nice methodology, salvation is now a person of the Trinity. Paul knew this.

“God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit, he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.“

The Gospel has waited a long time to come to us; it wasn’t understood by earlier men. But now it has come, and those who’ve been called into an apostolic or prophetic ministry now see and embrace it. The Holy Spirit is evident through it all. This has been a work that God has initiated.

The whole earth is now the Christian’s mission field.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

2:11-13, The Grand Canyon

“Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. ¹² In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. ¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.”

In Arizona, one can stand and look to the far side of the Grand Canyon. The size is incredible, it’s 18 miles wide and almost a mile deep. It’s an amazing site. It’s also a fantastic tourist destination. Over 6,000,000 people visit it every year. (I’m sure there are many gift stores.)

In Ephesians 2 the Apostle Paul explains another type of canyon—the divide that existed between Jews and Gentiles, something very wide and terribly deep. This was a big problem and Paul needed to explain this division in the eyes of God. The Church must understand. Unless he explained it would devastate the Church.

“Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.”

Have you ever been on the “outside?” You don’t belong and you’re not accepted. It’s a hard place to be. But notice the phrase, “used to be,” it’s critical–a key that opens up this entire passage. All of the previous verses explain the reconciliation between God and man, but there’s still something more–the chasm between believers, Jew and Gentile.

Paul straight up tells the Gentiles, “Don’t forget.” Rather then try to fill up his theological wheelbarrow and try to fill up the gap, he points out the differences between the two different groups. There’s a Grand Canyon seperating them.

However he can’t overlook that the Jews have it all together either. The Jews were proud of their heritage and proudly scorned the Gentiles as “uncircumcised heathens.’ They pretended they were holy, and as a result they became “holier-than-thou.’ But the fact was they themselves, in their hearts, were just as wicked. Hard words!

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them.

Three horrible truths about the Gentiles are made:

• Their lives were completely without Christ. (They were zeros.)
• They’re not (nor will be) citizens of the nation of Israel. (They had no “spiritual” passport.”)
• All those beautiful promises? (Not Gentiles. Never, ever.)

You lived in this world without God and without hope. ¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus.

Paul doesn’t mince his words. The Gentile way of life is doomed spiritually. “Without God and without hope,” and it seems these Gentiles are on the opposite side of the Grand Canyon, without any chance of getting across.

“But now…” With these two words build the bridge. They can finally cross this deep theological divide. Jesus Christ has made it all possible.

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

(verse 13)

The word “united” simply meets to be joined together, to make as one. The bad news for the Gentiles was a revelation declared by Paul, and it was horrible. However there is no a bridge to be built–it only comes by the blood of Christ!

“But now” is repeated twice in this verse.

We’ve “been brought near to Him by His own blood. He’s done it all. Both Jew and Gentile ate saved together by the cross of Christ.