AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY: kai elthon (AAPMSN) eueggelisato (3SAMI) eirenen humin tois makran: (Psalms 85:10; Isaiah 27:5; 52:7; 57:19, 20, 21; Zechariah 9:10; Matthew 10:13; Luke 2:14; Luke 15:5,6; Acts 2:39; 10:36; Romans 5:1; 2Corinthians 5:20)

He - referring to Christ.

Came (2064) (erchomai) means to come or go. Having come (aorist tense = past completed action) in His first advent.

S Lewis Johnson has an interesting comment on this verse writing that...

in verse 17 we read, “And came and preached peace.” That seems strange, isn’t it? You would think that he would’ve put, “And he came and preached peace, and then he reconciled men to himself by the death of the cross.” In fact, if you were in a Bible class with the Apostle Paul you might raise your hand and say, “Paul, haven’t you got the order reversed there? You say, he’s abolished in the flesh the enmity by means of the cross, he’s reconciled us through the cross slaying the enmity, and then say, and he came and preached peace. Shouldn’t you reverse those?” Paul would probably say, “I’m not surprised you asked a question like that. But, I want you to understand what I mean by “and he came and preached peace,” is this is preaching by means of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is the means by which men preach Christ, so that we preach him, by means of the Holy Spirit. And that, I think, is the force: “and he came and preached to you who were far off and you who were nigh.” Ultimately, it is the word of Christ through the messenger...“Faith cometh by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.” (see note Romans 10:17) And in the course of the exposition, I tried to make the point that faith comes by the message, but it’s a message through Jesus Christ. In other words, it’s Christ in the word that is the saving instrumentality. So the word is an instrumentality by which Christ himself, in His messages, reaches us. That, I think, is perfectly harmonious with this: “He came and preached peace.” Men were doing it, Apostles were doing it, but they were giving out the word and Christ Himself was coming to them through the word of the apostles. So he came and preached peace. I think the order of the words demands that interpretation. (pdf )

Preached (2097) (euaggelizo from eu = good, well + aggéllo = proclaim, tell) means to announce good news (gospel) or bring glad tidings. Literally one could say that Christ "gospelized peace!" to both Jew and Gentile.

Euaggelizo - 52x in NT - Matt. 11:5; Lk. 1:19; 2:10; 3:18; 4:18, 43; 7:22; 8:1; 9:6; 16:16; 20:1; Acts 5:42; 8:4, 12, 25, 35, 40; 10:36; 11:20; 13:32; 14:7, 15, 21; 15:35; 16:10; 17:18; Rom. 1:15; 10:15; 15:20; 1 Co. 1:17; 9:16, 18; 15:1f; 2 Co. 10:16; 11:7; Gal. 1:8f, 11, 16, 23; 4:13; Eph. 2:17; 3:8; 1 Thess. 3:6; Heb. 4:2, 6; 1 Pet. 1:12, 25; 4:6; Rev. 10:7; 14:6

In the OT euaggelizo was used of any kind of good news including the joyful tidings of God's kindnesses especially as they related to the promised Messianic blessings. In the NT euaggelizo was used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God and of the salvation through Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world. Here euaggelizo is used to instruct men concerning the things that pertain to salvation, specifically the peace Paul has been explaining.

Morris explains

This "[preaching] of peace"--not only peace between Jew and Gentile but also individual peace with God through the forgiveness of sins--had long been in God's plan. The promised Messiah was "anointed" to "preach good tidings unto the meek" first among the Jews, but then also to "declare my glory among the Gentiles" (Isaiah 61:1; 66:19). Jesus not only confirmed that He had come in fulfillment of this prophecy to "preach the gospel to the poor" (Luke 4:18) but also reminded the Jews that He had "other sheep" which were "not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold; and one shepherd" (John 10:16). Later He commissioned His disciples to "be witnesses unto me...unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Then, through Paul and others, He had been "preached unto the Gentiles" and "believed on in the world" (1Timothy 3:16). (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing)

Peace (1515) (eirene from the verb eiro = to bind or join together what is broken or divided) (Click word study on eirene) means in essence to set at one again or join together that which is separated. In secular Greek eirene described the cessation or absence of war. By Christ's vicarious death He procured peace and by His servants He proclaimed glad tidings of peace based on His atoning work on the Cross.

Eirene - 85x in NT - Matt. 10:13, 34; Mk. 5:34; Lk. 1:79; 2:14, 29; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5f; 11:21; 12:51; 14:32; 19:38, 42; 24:36; Jn. 14:27; 16:33; 20:19, 21, 26; Acts 7:26; 9:31; 10:36; 12:20; 15:33; 16:36; 24:2; Rom. 1:7; 2:10; 3:17; 5:1; 8:6; 14:17, 19; 15:13, 33; 16:20; 1 Co. 1:3; 7:15; 14:33; 16:11; 2 Co. 1:2; 13:11; Gal. 1:3; 5:22; 6:16; Eph. 1:2; 2:14f, 17; 4:3; 6:15, 23; Phil. 1:2; 4:7, 9; Col. 1:2; 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:1; 5:3, 23; 2 Thess. 1:2; 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2:22; Titus 1:4; Philemon. 1:3; Heb. 7:2; 11:31; 12:14; 13:20; Jas. 2:16; 3:18; 1 Pet. 1:2; 3:11; 5:14; 2 Pet. 1:2; 3:14; 2 Jn. 1:3; 3 Jn. 1:15; Jude 1:2; Rev. 1:4; 6:4

Did you observe the progression?  In Ephesians 2:14 Christ is our peace. In Ephesians 2:15 He made peace. In this verse He came and preached peace.

When did Christ preach peace? John records in one of His first post-resurrection appearances to His disciples...

When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."...Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."...And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, "Peace be with you."  (John 20:19, 21, 26)

Note in the preceding passage, that Jesus sent out the apostles in the power of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22 "Receive the Holy Spirit", cf Acts 1:8) and they obediently went forth and preached peace Luke recording Peter's proclamation that...

"The word which He (Jesus) sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)... (Acts 10:36).

Paul records that now all believers...

are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2Cor 5:20)

Later in this same letter, Paul exhorts his readers to have their feet shod with the "preparation (firm footing) of the gospel of peace" (see note Ephesians 6:15). Apart from proclaiming peace, there is no way for those in rebellion to know, understand, and act on the terms of that peace. Years after World War II there were Japanese soldiers discovered on several islands still waging war who had never heard of the peace that had been declared in 1945 when the Emperor of Japan surrendered to the Allied forces. In the same way, there are many today who are uninformed of the good news that through the Cross of Christ they can experience eternal peace with God, the One with Whom they are otherwise in perpetual conflict (see "enemies"  Romans 5:10, "alienated, hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds" Colossians 1:21)

Ruth Paxson writes that...

 Having become peace and having made it, Christ now preaches peace. It was His personal message after His resurrection (Luke 24:36; John 20:19,21,26). He preached it later through His apostles, and continues to preach peace through His Word faithfully given by His ministers. It is God’s clearly declared purpose to heal the schism made by sin in humanity; otherwise His plan of salvation would be incomplete. In this present age He would do it through grace. Peace has not been established on earth because men will not follow God’s way. But in the age to come, through government the Lord Jesus Christ shall rule over the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then righteousness shall prevail and peace shall be its fruit. (The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of the Christian)

Far off (3112) (makran from makros = far) means a long way off but is used figuratively here to describe the Gentiles who were separated from Christ, etc, and thus were a long way off from God. 

Makran - 9x in NT - Matt. 8:30; Mk. 12:34; Lk. 7:6; 15:20; Jn. 21:8; Acts 17:27; 22:21; Eph. 2:13, 17

This preaching of peace was not only peace between Jew and Gentile but also between believing Jew and Gentile and God, with Whom they had been enemies and hostile. This had always been God's plan and had been prophesied, for example, in Isaiah who recorded the actual words of the promised Messiah...

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed (mashach - related to the Hebrew word Mashiach, Anointed One, the Messiah) me to bring good news (euaggelizo in the Septuagint =LXX) to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners. To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD. (Isaiah 61:1-2a) (Comment: Isaiah 61:1-2a was the very passage that Jesus read in the synagogue in Nazareth, closing the book with the words ""Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." He could not have been much clearer about Who He was and what His purpose was!)

AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR: kai eirenen tois eggus:   (Ep 2:13,14; Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 75:1; 76:1,2; 147:19,20; 148:14; Luke 10:9-11)

Those who were near - the Jews were near but nevertheless just as needy as the Gentiles for they too were dead in their trespasses and sins. In Ephesians 2:12 Paul list 5 ways the Jews were nearer to Christ and God - but salvation is not like horseshoes -- nearer to the goal does not count. Only being in Christ counts!  Every person, far or near, Gentile or Jew, has access to God's peace through Christ.

Near (1451) (eggus) indicates a position relatively close to another position and figuratively refers to the Jews who were "near" to God in the sense of having Messianic prophecies, a national identity and government set up by God, covenants that promised salvation by faith, a hope in the coming of Messiah and the presence of God in their midst (the Tabernacle in the wilderness, the Temple in Jerusalem).

Eggus - 31x in NT - Matt. 24:32f; 26:18; Mk. 13:28f; Lk. 19:11; 21:30f; Jn. 2:13; 3:23; 6:4, 19, 23; 7:2; 11:18, 54, 55; 19:20, 42; Acts 1:12; 9:38; 27:8; Rom. 10:8; 13:11; Eph. 2:13, 17; Phil. 4:5; Heb. 6:8; 8:13; Rev. 1:3; 22:10

This peace that was preached to both Gentiles and Jews is a fulfillment of the a prophecy given hundreds of years earlier, Isaiah recording Jehovah's promise...

"I have seen his (wayward Israel's) ways, but I will heal him (those Israelites who would humble themselves and repent of their rebellion and unfaithfulness). I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, creating (Hebrew = barah = to create out of nothing) the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far (Gentile) and to him who is near (Jehovah)," Says the LORD, "and I will heal (rapha cf Jehovah Rapha - The LORD our Healer) him." (Isaiah 57:18,19) (Comment: The repetition of peace is a Hebrew idiom or way of saying that something is superlative in kind and total in extent! What amazing grace is seen in this passage.)

Even in His birth peace was "preached"...

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:14) (Comment: Who is He pleased with? Those with whom the Lord is pleased are those who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace...

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6)

He promised His disciples,

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you." (John 14:27).

Like their Master, His disciples are also to be peacemakers

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9-note)

When Jesus sent forth the seventy He commissioned them:

"Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house.' And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you (Luke 10:5, 6).

Peace surrounded the ministry of Jesus as an aura that continually blessed those who believed in Him. Among His last words to His disciples were,

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace." (John 16:33).

The ministry of the apostles and other preachers of the early church was characterized by

"preaching peace through Jesus Christ" (Acts 10:36).

The ministry of the Spirit of Christ is characterized by the giving of

 "love, joy, peace" (Galatians 5:22-note, Gal 5:23-note)

God's kingdom is characterized by

"righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Ro 14:17-note).

God is the God of peace...

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (1Cor. 14:33)

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,  (Heb 13:20, 21-note)

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Ro 15:33-note)

And the God of peace (notice the "irony" that a peaceful God will crush!) will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (see note Romans 16:20)

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (see note 1Thessalonians 5:23)

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The War is Over-  The bitter conflict had finally ended between the North and the South. The soldiers of the US Civil War were free to return to their families. But a number of them remained hidden in the woods, living on berries. They either didn't hear or didn't believe that the war was over, so they continued enduring miserable conditions when they could have been back home.

It's something like that in the spiritual realm too. Christ made peace between God and man by dying in our place. He paid sin's penalty on the cross. Anyone who accepts His sacrifice will be forgiven by a holy God.

Sadly, many people refuse to believe the gospel and continue to live as spiritual fugitives. Sometimes even those who have placed their trust in Christ live on almost the same level. Either out of ignorance or unwillingness, they fail to claim the promises of God's Word. They do not experience the joy and assurance that should accompany salvation. They do not draw from their relationship with God the comfort and peace He intends for His children. They are the objects of His love, care, and provision but live as if they were orphans.

Have you been living apart from the comfort, love, and care of your heavenly Father? Come on home. The war is over!—Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

We fail, O Lord, to realize
The fullness of what You have done,
So help us trust Your saving work
And claim the triumph You have won. —D. De Haan

Christ's victory over death means peace for His saints.

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The Peace Initiative - It was the night before Christmas in 1870. French and German armies faced each other on the field of battle in the Franco-Prussian War. A French soldier started walking toward the German lines. His comrades watched breathlessly, expecting to hear at any instant the crack of a rifle that would end his life. As he neared the enemy lines, he stopped and began singing, "Noel, noel! Noel, noel! Born is the King of Israel!" No shot rang out.

Slowly the Frenchman returned to his ranks. There was silence! Then from the German side came a lone soldier to that same spot and sang the German version of the same song. After each stanza both armies united in the chorus. For a few minutes Christ brought peace to that battlefield.

God is a peacemaker who always takes the first step. Jesus came as a baby, and when He grew to manhood He preached peace to a warring world. Then, in the greatest peace initiative this world has ever seen, Christ made peace between God and man by dying for our sins (see note Colossians 1:20).

Peacemaking efforts may be rejected, but the alternative is continued hostility. God didn't settle for that, nor should we. Let's take the first step in healing a broken relationship, even at the risk of being "shot down." --D J De Haan (Ibid)

O Prince of Peace, keep us, we pray,
From strife and enmity;
Help us to speak with loving words
That quell hostility. --JDB

What this world needs is the peace that passes all misunderstanding

FOR THROUGH HIM WE BOTH HAVE OUR ACCESS: hoti di' autou echomen (1PPAI) ten prosagogen oi amphoteroi: (Ep 3:12; John 10:7,9; 14:6; Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:15,16; 7:19; 10:19,20; 1Peter 1:21; 1Peter 3:18; 1John 2:1,2)

Through (1223) (dia) defines Christ as the "Channel" (and the only One) through which believing Jews and Gentiles could come into the presence of God. The benefits of our salvation come through Christ, our Mediator and Great High Priest. We enter in and draw near through Him, for He is the "Author of salvation" (see notes Hebrews 2:10). He is the Forerunner (see notes Hebrews 6:20), having entered Himself through "the veil" (His Flesh - see below) that we might now have a new and living way into the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God the Father!

Click the following links to study parallel passages regarding Christ our "Meditator", the channel of blessing and channel of access -- "through Christ", "through Jesus Christ" cf "through Him" (see also John 10:9, 14:6)

In a parallel thought John records...

Jesus therefore said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. "I am the door; if anyone enters through (dia) Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:7-9)

Jesus (responding to Thomas' question of how the disciples could know the way where He was going) said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through (dia) Me. (John 14:6)

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through (dia) Him. (1John 4:9)

In an illustration of Jesus as "the way through" we read the following devotional...

Dwight Slater, who is a retired missionary doctor, told me that while serving in Africa he had trained a brilliant but unschooled man to serve as his surgical assistant. Kolo was a quick learner, and soon he was able to perform surgeries. A team of doctors from the United States was in Africa to provide some short-term help. They were performing operations when they came across a condition rare in the US but common in Africa. When they weren't sure what to do, Kolo took the surgical instruments, cut through layers of tissue and ligaments, and corrected the problem. When the amazed doctors began quizzing Kolo on the specifics of the complicated procedure, he answered simply, "I do not know the terms; I just know the way." Many Christians may not be able to define complex theological terms like redemption, justification, and propitiation, but they can still be effective witnesses because they know Jesus, who is the way to God (Jn14:6). Unbelievers need the simple gospel-that Jesus died for their sin and that they must accept Him by faith. You don't need to be afraid to witness. If you know the "Way Shower", you can show others the way-Jesus Christ! Daily Bread 6/27/00

Christ is now the believer's Great High Priest, the writer of Hebrews recording that

we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near (implied that this drawing near is "through Him") with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. (see notes Hebrews 4:15; 4:16)

Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (see note Hebrews 7:25)

Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (See notes Hebrews 10:19; 10:20; 10:21; 10:22)

Comment: Matthew 27:50 records that at the end of the crucifixion "Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit." which was contemporaneous with "the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two" as Luke 23:43 relates. The point is that the rent flesh of Jesus accomplished the rending of the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, thus providing full access to the throne of God. All those who are now in Christ have unhindered access to God's holy throne!

Through Him (Christ our Great High Priest) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (see note Hebrews 13:15)

From a practical standpoint, how do we know that we now have peace with God? Is it not because we can now have bold access to our Father's throne of grace anytime and any place? Do you take advantage of this incredible privilege beloved? Probably few of us do enough! May His Spirit so incline our hearts that they lean more and more in the direction of the waiting ear of our Father in heaven. Amen.

Both (297) (amphoteros from ámpho = both, the two) refers to each of two. We both near and far, both Jew and Gentile.

Have (2192) (echo) means to possess with the present tense defining this as every believer's continuous possession. In the Old Testament let us not forget that no Jew save the High Priest had the privilege of entree into the Holy of Holies, and that but only once per year on the Day of Atonement. The Cross of Christ has opened the floodgates of grace so that now every believer has continual access!

As John Eadie in his classic commentary on Ephesians eloquently highlights every believer's high privilege writing that...

now the most distant Gentile who is in Christ really and continuously enjoys that august spiritual privilege, which the one man of the one tribe of the one nation on the one day of the year, only typically and periodically possessed. (John Eadie, D., LL.D. The Epistle of St Paul to the Ephesians  - Online)

William MacDonald applies the truths in this passage to prayer writing that...

Through prayer any believer can enter the throne room of heaven, kneel before the Sovereign of the universe, and address Him as Father. The normal order to be followed in prayer is given here. First, it is through Him (the Lord Jesus). He is the one Mediator between God and man. His death, burial, and resurrection removed every legal obstacle to our admission to God’s presence. Now as Mediator He lives on high to maintain us in a condition of fellowship with the Father. We approach God in His name; we have no worthiness of our own, so we plead His worthiness. The participants in prayer are we both—believing Jews and believing Gentiles. The privilege is that we have access. Our Helper in prayer is the Holy Spirit—by one Spirit. “The Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (see note Romans 8:26).

The One we approach is the Father. No OT saint ever knew God as Father. Before the resurrection of Christ, men stood before God as creatures before the Creator. It was after He rose that He said, “Go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’.” (John 20:17). As a result of His redemptive work, believers were then able for the first time to address God as Father.

In verse 18 all three Persons of the Trinity (see note) are directly involved in the prayers of the humblest believer: he prays to God the Father, approaching Him through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson)

Access (4318) (prosagoge from pros = toward + ago = bring) literally means "a bringing near" or providing access (freedom, permission and/or the ability to enter). It describes a continuous and unhindered approach to God, One Whom we could never approach in our unredeemed, unholy, sinful state.

Prosagoge was used to describe the introduction to or audience which one is permitted to have with a king or other person of high rank. This introduction or audience must be effected through an officer of court to whom the duty is entrusted.

Prosagoge carries the idea not of possessing access in our own right but of being granted the right to come to God with boldness, knowing we will be welcomed. It is only through our Savior’s shedding of His blood in sacrificial death on Calvary and by faith in Him that we have union in His Holy Spirit and have access to the Father. The Spirit is at work to draw us continually to God (Ro 8:15, 16, 17-notes; Gal. 4:6, 7). Both and one spirit emphasize again the commonality of Jew and Gentile.

MacArthur sums up the significance of prosagoge writing that...

Those who once were socially and spiritually alienated are in Christ united with God and with each other. Because they have Christ they have both peace and access in one Spirit to the Father. They have an Introducer who presents them at the heavenly throne of God, before whom they can come at any time. They can now come to God as their own Father, knowing that He no longer judges or condemns but only forgives and blesses. Even His discipline is an act of love, given to cleanse and restore His precious children to purity and spiritual richness. (MacArthur, J: Ephesians. Chicago: Moody Press)

Notice that prosagoge always refers to the believer’s access to God through Christ. What was unthinkable to the Old Testament Jew is now available to all who come to Christ by grace through faith.

Prayer assumes a new complexion so soon as we properly appreciate God's Fatherliness. Granted that it must always be through Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit, yet, ultimately, it is access to the Father. The first thought of a little child in any need is Mother, Father. There is instant movement of eyes, and feet, and voice, towards the one dear source of help and comfort. And so, when we have learnt to know the Father, as revealed in Jesus, our heart will be constantly going out towards Him. The Father's heart has twelve gates, that one of them may be contiguous to every conceivable position in which his children may be placed. Of course there will be times when we shall deliberately bow our knees unto the Father; but there will be many more when we shall have access to Him in a swift-winged thought, a tear hastily brushed away, a yearning, an ejaculation (a short sudden emotional utterance), a loving, restful glance of mutual understanding. Strange that we make so little of these wonderful opportunities of access to the Father! (Devotional Commentary of Ephesians)

IN ONE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER: en eni pneumati pros ton patera: (Eph 4:4; 6:18; Zechariah 12:10; Romans 8:15,26,27; 1Corinthians 12:13; Jude 1:20) (Ep 3:14; Matthew 28:19; John 4:21, 22, 23; 1Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; James 3:9; 1Peter 1:17)

One (1520)

Spirit (4151) (pneuma) is the Holy Spirit as determined from the context (and not just because the translation capitalize it!)

Father (3962) (pater) refers of course to God our Father Who art in heaven.

Note the activity of all three persons of the Godhead in reference to the peace associated with our salvation. We have access to the Father only through faith in the Son and by the implementing work of the Spirit.

Non-Trinitarians argue that God is not a Trinity. Their weak argument against the existence of the Trinity is based upon the fact that the Bible does not use the word "Trinity" (which is true). Such an argument fails to take note of such clear passages like Ephesians 2:18 which speak of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, working as One God!

S Lewis Johnson writes that...

it is through the instrumentality of the Son in the sphere of the Holy Spirit that we are brought to the place where we have access to the Father. All the persons of the Trinity working in beautiful concert: the Son, laying down his life; the Holy Spirit applying the ministry; and it is the Father who has chosen us as he said in the beginning and has determined the whole means by which the program shall be carried out. So that the electing Father, the atoning Son, the administrating Holy Spirit – all work toward the same end, and that is that the people of God may have access. That’s why to me, the doctrine of the sovereign grace of God in our salvation is so beautiful: the whole Trinity working together in beautiful unison, in beautiful harmony....

What does it mean to have access? He’s saying here that it’s not just salvation, in a narrow sense, that is the aim of the Trinity in salvation. But access – what does that mean? What’s implied in that? Well now, of course, it’s a great thing to have the forgiveness of sins. It’s a great thing to know the penalty for sin, past, present and future, has been paid for by our substitute. But that is a means to an end. In fact, if you just looked at it from the standpoint of heaven and the life of the future, you would see that the atoning work is simply a means to an end. Now, it’s something we’ll always remember, for he’s the lamb of God who leads the flock to ever lengthening pastures throughout all eternity. But, what about in the meantime? Access.

Now access means that we have the remarkable, glorious privilege of carrying on a relationship with our Father by virtue of what Christ has done through the Holy Spirit, in all of the days and months and years that transpire between the time of our salvation and the time of our catching up to be with the Lord Jesus. Daily, our life is a life of access. We’re able, at night, to get down by our bedside, or in our beds, as we may pray, and lift our voices and say,

“Father, we thank Thee for this day, that you’ve preserved us and kept us, that you’ve used us, that you’ve provided for us.”

 And then in the morning, you may offer your prayers as you read the Scripture. And throughout the day, in the experiences of life, you have a companion, one who is always with you. Every day for the believer is the Emmaus road experience. We travel with the Lord Jesus by our side.

Now it is true that for many of us, He is about as unknown to us in our daily life as He was to his two disciples (on the Emmaus Road), until he revealed himself. They turned to Him – here He is walking along with them, the Lord Jesus, about Whom they were speaking – they said to Him, “Haven’t You heard what happened in Jerusalem over the weekend?” Why He was the One to Whom it had happened! And it was not until their eyes were opened that they saw Him for what He was. That’s one beautiful picture of the life of a Christian; it’s an Emmaus road experience from conversion to translation to heaven. Access. We have access. We can call God, Father. We can say, “Our Father.”

We don’t have any record of any individual Jewish man until the days of the Lord Jesus, lifting up his voice to heaven and saying, “Father.” The Lord Jesus is the first One Who used that term in the individual sense, so far as we know. Isn’t that amazing? We take it for granted. Don’t we pray in our churches,

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name”?

Yes, we do. That’s what’s called saying the word of God and not really hearing it. I said that many times in our Presbyterian church, and I didn’t even know what it meant. You can say good Scripture words and not know what they mean. Don’t say the word “access” and not come to know what it means.

Access: the opportunity and privilege to enter into the presence of this God Who is no potential, provisional Savior, but a definite Savior and Lord. Access.

I guess one of the most vivid things, an illustration, was the experience of the Apostles on the Sea of Galilee when the sea arose. That wonderful time when the miracle of the walking on the water took place. I don’t want to go into the exposition of it, because you are very familiar with it. But you’ll remember that after the Lord Jesus had walked on the water, and after Peter had walked on the water and after he had begun to sink, the Lord Jesus had taken his hand and saved, that they both came to the boat and the wind ceased. And then they that were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying of the truth,

“Thou art the Son of God.”

That’s the proper response, to worship. Access. Oh, what a privilege it is to have access to the Father. (pdf)

A Brief Excursus on The Trinity

As an aside observe the work of the "Trinity" in the following passages...

In our redemption and forgiveness

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

In our baptismal testimony

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

In our experience of regeneration

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Galatians 4:6)

In our assurance and fellowship

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

In witnessing

"When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me (John 15:26)

In teaching