Why is the word 'But' so important in Ephesians 2:13?
The word 'But' marks a decisive transition from the hopeless condition described in verse 12—Gentiles without God and without hope in the world—to the hope of verse 13. In Christ Jesus, those once far off are made nigh to God, not by Law or covenants, but by the blood of Christ.
Les explains that verse 12 leaves Gentiles hopeless, without God in this world, but Paul does not leave them there. That little three-letter word, 'But,' is one of the most important words in Scripture because it introduces the flip side: in Christ Jesus, Gentiles once far off are made nigh to God. This nearness is not by the Law or the covenants but by the blood of Christ, the finished work of the cross. Les further notes that when Israel refused and rejected the covenant promises, God set them aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.