ACCESS (Gr. prosagôgç ). The word occurs only in Romans 5:2 , Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12 , and the question (regarding which commentators are much divided) is whether it ought to be understood in the trans. sense as ‘introduction,’ the being brought near by another, or in the Intrans. sense as ‘access’ or personal approach. The trans. sense is most in keeping with the ordinary use of the vb. prosagô in classical Gr. (cf. its use in 1 Peter 3:18 ‘that he might bring us to God’) the idea suggested being that of a formal introduction into a royal presence. ‘Access,’ moreover, does not so well express the fact that we cannot approach God in our own right, but need Christ to Introduce us; cf. ‘by [RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘through’] whom’ ( Romans 5:2 ), ‘through him’ ( Ephesians 2:18 ), ‘in whom’ ( Ephesians 3:12 ). The word ‘access’ does not occur in Hebrews, but the writer has much to say on the subject of our approach to God through Christ, esp. for the purpose of prayer ( Hebrews 4:14 ff.) and worship ( Hebrews 10:19 ff.).
J. C. Lambert.