Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Ephesians 2:13

13. now--in contrast to "at that time" (Ep 2:12).

in Christ Jesus--"Jesus" is here added, whereas the expression before (Ep 2:12) had been merely "Christ," to mark that they know Christ as the personal Saviour, "Jesus."

sometimes--Greek, "aforetime."

far off--the Jewish description of the Gentiles. Far off from God and from the people of God (Ep 2:17; Is 57:19; Ac 2:39).

are--Greek, "have been."

by--Greek, "in." Thus "the blood of Christ" is made the seal of a covenant IN which their nearness to God consists. In Ep 1:7, where the blood is more directly spoken of as the instrument, it is "through His blood" [Alford].