In union with Christ represents the Greek phrase “in whom.” The phrases in union with Christ and through our faith in him state the basis for the boldness which people may have in entering God’s presence. This relationship is often expressed as a type of cause, for example, “because we are linked closely with Christ and because we have put our trust in him.”

In the Greek text the two nouns “boldness” and “access” are governed by one article, and the meaning is “the boldness to enter”; for “access” see 2.18; the Greek noun for “boldness” is used also in 6.19 (and see the verb “to be bold” in 6.20); and the following phrase “in confidence” further strengthens the expression of boldness: “we have the boldness to enter confidently.” Translator’s New Testament takes “boldness” in its more literal sense of “freedom in speech” and translates “we may confidently draw near to God and speak freely with him”; likewise New American Bible (and Westcott); this is possible, but the more general idea of boldness seems preferable. The sentiment expressed in this verse is the same as that in 2.18.

In place of the statement we have the boldness it may be better in some languages to say “we can be bold too.” But in some instances a negative expression may be more satisfactory, for example, “we do not hesitate to” or even “we are not at all slow to.”

The phrase with all confidence may be expressed as “being confident he will hear us” or “being confident that he will pay attention to us.” It is often not enough to speak about “having all confidence,” for one must indicate in what respect this confidence is applicable.

Through our faith in him represents the last clause of the verse in Greek, literally “through his faith” (see Hdb|fig:Table_EPH3-8.jpg); this is how the vast majority of commentators and translators understand the Greek, but Barth understands it to mean “because of his faithfulness.” Instead of the noun faith, many languages will use a verbal phrase such as “know we trust (or, believe) in him.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1982. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .