{But now} (
uni de). Strong contrast, as opposed to "at
that time." {Afar off} (makran). Adverb (accusative feminine
adjective with hodon understood). From the politeia and its
hope in God. {Are made nigh} (egen(8874)h(8874)e eggus). First aorist
passive indicative of ginomai, a sort of timeless aorist. Nigh
to the commonwealth of Israel in Christ. {In the blood of Christ}
(en t(9369) haimati tou Christou). Not a perfunctory addition, but
essential ( 1:7 ), particularly in view of the Gnostic denial of
Christ's real humanity.