Ephesians 2:18
ESV
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
NIV
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
NASB
for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
CSB
For through him we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
NLT
Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
KJV
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
NKJV
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
What does Ephesians 2:18 mean?
Paul's emphasis in this verse involves two parts. First, it is clear Paul wants to highlight the common access Jews and Gentiles have to salvation through Jesus. In Romans 1:16 he likewise wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Paul preached in a particular order, starting with the Jews in a community and then to Gentiles, but the goal was bringing the message of salvation to all people.Second, Paul again emphasizes the roles of each part of the triune God. All three persons of the Trinity are involved in the process of salvation. Salvation is found in Jesus, who gives us the Spirit to live within us, who grants access to the Father. All three persons operate at the same time in unique ways, yet are all identified as one and the same God.
