Note 4 at Eph 2:13: Paul had just described the totally hopeless situation of an unbeliever before salvation (see note 2 at Eph 2:12). "But now" begins the description of the total transformation that takes place at salvation. To really appreciate the "but now" of these verses, we need to clearly understand the complete desperateness of Eph 2:11-12 (see note 1 at Eph 2:11).

Note 5 at Eph 2:13: The Gentiles, who were at one time separated from the promises of God and therefore "far off" from God Himself (see note 3 at Eph 2:12), are now "made nigh" unto God by the blood of Christ (see note 6 at this verse). The phrases "far off" and "made nigh" are figurative, describing our relationship with the Lord. The truth is, God is "not far from every one of us" (Ac 17:27). Before being "born again" (see note 2 at Joh 3:3), though, it was as if the Lord was very far away. There was little or no communication with Him and no benefit of His presence. After salvation, it is as though the Lord has come very near to us. We can speak to Him at any time and always feel His presence.

For the purpose of describing how our relationship with the Lord is going, it is okay to use the symbolism of "far off" and "nigh," but we born-again believers all need to remember this is just figurative. After salvation, the Lord promised that He would never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). It is only our perception of the Lord's presence that changes. Regardless of how we feel, the Lord is always present and watching over His promises to fulfill each and every one.

Note 6 at Eph 2:13: The blood of Jesus is a central theme of the New Covenant. When spoken of in Scripture, it refers to Christ's death as a means of securing salvation and of the institution of the New Covenant between God and man. Under the New Covenant, the blood of Jesus has provided the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7), a new heart (Jer 31:33-34), mercy toward unrighteousness (Heb 8:12), justification (Ro 5:9), eternal redemption (Heb 9:12), intimate relationship with God (Heb 8:11), deliverance from a worthless kind of life (1Pe 1:18-19), peace with God (Col 1:20), the putting away of sin (Heb 9:26), continual cleansing (1Jo 1:7), a cleansed conscience (Heb 9:14), deliverance from the Law (Eph 2:15), reconciliation (Eph 2:16), access to the Father (Eph 2:18), a perfect standing before God (Col 1:22), the spoiling of principalities and powers (Col 2:15), Christian liberty (Ga 5:1), and healing for the physical body (Mt 8:17).