Ephesians 2 · Verse 18

Ephesians 2:18

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Ephesians 2:18, King James Version

Ephesians 2:18 in other translations

BSBFor through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
WEBFor through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
ASVfor through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father.
YLTbecause through him we have the access--we both--in one Spirit unto the Father.
DARBYFor through him we have both access by one Spirit to the Father.
BBEBecause through him the two of us are able to come near in one Spirit to the Father.
WebsterFor through him we both have an access by one Spirit to the Father.

What does Ephesians 2:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. Translate, "For it is through Him (Joh 14:6; He 10:19) that we have our access (Ep 3:12; Ro 5:2), both of us, in (that is, united in, that is, "by," 1Co 12:13, Greek) one Spirit to the Father," namely, as our common Father, reconciled to both alike; whence flows the removal of all separation between Jew and Gentile. The oneness of "the Spirit," through which we both have our access, is necessarily followed by oneness of the body, the Church (Ep 2:16). The distinctness of persons in the Divine Trinity appears in this verse. It is also fatal to the theory of sacerdotal priests in the Gospel through whom alone the people can approach God. All alike, people and ministers, can draw nigh to God through Christ, their ever living Priest.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. For through him. That is, he has secured this result that we have access to God. This he did by his death--reconciling us to God; by the doctrines which he taught--acquainting us with God; and by his intercession in heaven--by which our "prayers gain acceptance" with him.

We both have access. Both Jews and Gentiles.

Rom 5:2. We are permitted to approach God through him, or in his name. The Greek word here--προσαγωγη--relates, properly, to the introduction to, or audience which we are permitted to have with a prince or other person of high rank. This must be effected through an officer of court to whom the duty is entrusted. Rosenmuller, Alt. und neu. Morgenland, in loc.

By one Spirit. By the aid of the same Spirit--the Holy Ghost. 1Cor 12:4.

Unto the Father. We are permitted to come and address God as our Father. Rom 8:15,16.

(b) "through him" Jn 14:6, 1Pet 3:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 For through him - Christ Jesus, we both - Jews and Gentiles, have access by one Spirit - through the influence of the Holy Ghost, unto the Father - God Almighty. This text is a plain proof of the holy Trinity. Jews and Gentiles are to be presented unto God the Father; the Spirit of God works in their hearts, and prepares them for this presentation; and Jesus Christ himself introduces them. No soul can have access to God but by Jesus Christ, and he introduces none but such as receive his Holy Spirit. All who receive that Spirit are equally dear to him; and, whatever their names be among men, they are known in heaven as children of God, and heirs of eternal glory.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 2:14-18

Jesus Christ made peace by the sacrifice of himself; in every sense Christ was their Peace, the author, centre, and substance of their being at peace with God, and of their union with the Jewish believers in one church. Through the person, sacrifice, and mediation of Christ, sinners are allowed to draw near to God as a Father, and are brought with acceptance into his presence, with their worship and services, under…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 2:14-18 →

Ephesians 2:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὅτιhotiForG3754
δι᾽di᾽throughG1223
αὐτοῦautouHimG846
ἔχομενechomenwe haveG2192
τὴνtēntheG3588
προσαγωγὴνprosagōgēnaccessG4318
οἱhoi<the>G3588
ἀμφότεροιamphoteroibothG297
ἐνenbyG1722
ἑνὶhenioneG1520
πνεύματιpneumatiSpiritG4151
πρὸςprostoG4314
τὸνtontheG3588
πατέρα.¶pateraFather.G3962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 2:18

  • Ephesians 3:12

    In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

    For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

  • Romans 5:2

    By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • Hebrews 10:19-20

    Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

  • John 10:9

    I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

  • John 10:7

    Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

  • Hebrews 4:15-16

    For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

  • Colossians 1:12

    Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

  • Galatians 4:6

    And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
through.
3:12; Joh 10:7,9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Heb 4:15,16; 7:19; 10:19,20; 1Pe 1:21
1Pe 3:18; 1Jo 2:1,2
by.
4:4; 6:18; Zec 12:10; Ro 8:15,26,27; 1Co 12:13; Jude 1:20
the.
3:14; Mt 28:19; Joh 4:21-23; 1Co 8:6; Ga 4:6; Jas 3:9; 1Pe 1:17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 2:17

    And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

  • Ephesians 2:18

    For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

  • Ephesians 2:19

    Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Read all of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que por él los unos y los otros tenemos entrada por un mismo Espíritu al Padre.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car par lui nous avons, les uns et les autres, accès auprès du Père par un seul Esprit.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn durch ihn haben wir beide den Zugang durch einen Geist zu dem Vater.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quoniam per ipsum habemus accessum ambo in uno Spiritu ad Patrem.