In this verse, Paul reveals that “we both” have access to the Father. This is a reference to the two groups that constituted the assembly: Jews and Gentiles. Most of the Ephesians had previously been pagans. In Acts 19, we read that they worshiped the goddess Diana. When they turned to Christ in repentance, they burned their books of magic, which were valued at 50,000 pieces of silver, about 6 million US dollars (Acts 19:19)! After they were saved, they and the converted Jews among them “both” had equal access to God in this new relationship through redemption (Eph. 2:16–17).

It has been pointed out by many that Ephesians 2:18 is a trinitarian text. This means the entire Trinity is involved in our access to the Father: For through Him (Christ, the Son) we have access by one Spirit to the Father. In fact, the work of the Trinity on behalf of the sinner is woven throughout the whole Epistle to the Ephesians. In chapter 1, we see that we have been blessed by the Father, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, and we have redemption through Christ (1:3, 7, 13). Another example is found in Ephesians 4:4–6, where we read that there is one Spirit, one Lord, and one God and Father of all.

Three Divine Persons were acting in a blessed unity of purpose in the salvation of poor sinners! But we must pause to consider the fact that it was the Person of the Son who answered the call to the cross. J. N. Darby has said of God, “His love to us was shown in what was the most solemn proof of His intolerance of evil: the cross.” Mercy and truth “met,” and righteousness and peace “kissed” that day (Ps. 85:10). We are in a new relationship through the blessed Trinity!