My Personal Commentary on Ephesians: The Foundation

What you are about to read is a rough draft of the first chapter of my personal commentary on Ephesians where I study the book one sentence at a time. I pray that you will be drawn more in love with the Scriptures and the God that they testify of.

Sentence #1

Ephesians 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conversation without context is cursed. Neglecting the context of any statement, whether in the Bible or not, is the trademark of a fool. When it comes to the Pauline epistles (letters written by Paul) we are always met with an introduction such as this one. This introduction can be broken up into four sections: the identity of the author, his credentials, the intended audience, and a salutation.

THE IDENTITY OF THE AUTHOR

“… Paul…”

The human author of this book is the Apostle Paul. His name was changed from Saul to Paul when he embarked on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:9). This name change is significant. “Saul” is a Hebrew name which means “desired.” “Paul,” on the other hand, means “small or little.” He went from being a persecutor of the church to an Apostle chosen by Christ Himself to preach the gospel. After his conversion the goal of his life seemed to be to make himself small and Christ great.

THE AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS

“… an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God…”

Here we find what qualified Paul to speak to the church. We are admonished by Christ to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is important, when listening to any man speak about the things of God, to discern whether that person’s doctrine, conduct, and disposition lines up with the teachings of Christ. There are three aspects to this phrase which we will address in turn.

First, Paul claims to be “an apostle.” The term “apostle” is interesting because the Greek word is a compound word: “apo” meaning “away” and “stello” meaning “avoid.” Literally, then, the term apostle is innately tied with the concept of self-denial and submission. Going back to Paul’s conversion experience on the Damascus Road, we find Jesus telling him “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Paul was being told to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

The definition of the word itself is helpful, but it is also needful to consider the office of “apostle.” The English term is only found in conjunction with a select few individuals who had all (with the exception of Paul) been eyewitnesses to the ministry of Christ. This is why, in I Corinthians 15, Paul says that he was the last of the Apostles to see the risen Christ and that he was one “born out of due time” (I Corinthians 15:8-9). The book of Revelation, in describing the walls of the heavenly city, references to “the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14). The office of Apostle, then, was reserved for a handful of men in that specific generation. Paul was hand-selected by God for this purpose and Paul yielded himself to that calling.

Secondly, his apostleship is “of Jesus Christ.” “Of” may seem like a small word, but it has massive implications here. It indicates a number of things such as ownership. In other words, in saying that he was “an apostle of Jesus Christ,” Paul is saying that Jesus Christ was his owner and master. This sentiment is echoed in a number of his other letters where he calls himself a “servant” of Jesus Christ. The term “servant” is rendered out of the Greek word that indicates bonds or slavery. Paul’s apostleship meant that he belonged to Jesus Christ.

Another way of looking at “of” in this case is to consider that Paul’s apostleship is concerning or relating to Jesus Christ. Far too many pastors are content to preach on trends, politics, or the affairs of this world. Paul was devoted, determined even, to “know nothing” except Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 2:2). His mind, methods, and message had one central theme: Jesus Christ.

“Of” could also indicate the authority by which Paul’s apostleship was legitimized. Indeed, Jesus precedes the Great Commission with “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Paul’s apostleship was sanctioned by Jesus Christ and his authority came from the One who had called him.

Lastly, his apostleship is “by the will of God.” This little phrase tells us three things. First, it was God’s desire for Paul to represent Him to the nations, secondly, it was God’s decree for Paul to do so, and, thirdly, it was God’s delight.

To say that it was God’s desire for Paul to be an Apostle should encourage us when we consider Paul’s background: a Pharisee who facilitated in the imprisonment and murder of Christians. The fact is that Jesus Christ wants to save the vilest offender. He is the One that mourned for Jerusalem saying that He would have gathered them up as a hen gather her chicks (Matthew 23:37). He desires that all men be saved (I Timothy 2:4). His heart is tender towards the sinner, and He longs to be their God and Savior. God wanted Paul to be an Apostle not only for Paul’s sake but also for the sake of all that Paul would reach with the Gospel. God’s desire is to use each and every one of us regardless of our past or present failures.

But what God desires is not always what God decrees. If we are to believe in the sovereignty of God (as all reasonable Christians should) then we must reconcile this seeming contradiction. If God desires all men to be saved, then why is the world still blinded by sin? Why didn’t Jesus gather Jerusalem under His wings? The reason Jesus cites is that they “would not,” meaning that they fixed their hearts on the principle that they would not submit to Christ. Although God desires them to be saved, He passes by them allowing them to face judgment for their hardness of heart.

In the context of Paul’s apostleship, God not only desired Paul to yield himself to the ministry but He commanded it be done. Paul had set his face in one direction and God intervened in such a way to grasp Paul’s attention. Blinded by the glory of Christ, Paul trembled before the words “why persecutest thou me?” God overruled Paul’s ignorance and stubbornness to ensure that he was set on the course God had laid out for him.

But most staggering is this: God delighted in using Paul. God has no need of us. “The heavens declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19:1) and if we were to be silent “the very rocks would cry out” (Luke 19:40). God uses men not because He needs men but because it legitimately and thoroughly pleases Him to do so. Paul’s apostleship delighted the heart of God, and our obedience thrills Him in the same way.

THE INTENDED AUDIENCE

“… to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus…”

Having established his credentials, Paul now addresses his audience. There is a particular audience in mind (the saints which are at Ephesus) and a general audience (the faithful in Christ Jesus). This is interesting because Paul’s letters usually only include an address to a single church, region, or person. Here, however, we see Paul almost acknowledging the fact that this letter would be circulated beyond his original intended recipients. [GU2] 

We will turn our attention first to the specific audience. “…to the saints which are at Ephesus…” He distinguishes them first by their character and then by their region. They are first called “saints.” This is a term that is, at least in protestant circles, not considered often enough. The term means “holy one” and indicates our calling before God. In his address to the church in Rome he says that they are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). To be holy is to be set apart, designated for a specific purpose or task. Paul writes this letter to the ones who recognize that God has set them apart for His purpose and pleasure.

The specific saints in mind were the saints at Ephesus. Ephesus was important for a number of reasons: it was a port city which meant that it had a constant flow of foreigners and tradesmen, for instance. It was an optimal place to have a healthy, thriving church which could reach countless souls for the Gospel’s sake. On a more personal level, Ephesus was special to Paul because it is where he left his companion and student, Timothy. In writing to the church at Ephesus he was writing to the church that his own “son in the faith” who was an overseer there. 

The general audience is “to the faithful in Christ Jesus.” The term “faithful” is rooted in the word translated for faith or belief. Faith is of upmost importance in the believer seeing that we “are saved by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Whereas “faith” is a noun in these examples, the word “faithful” is an adjective simply meaning “full of faith.” Faithful references a steadfast reliability. Afterall, “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2).

It is true that there are varying degrees and intensities of this gift of faith. Elsewhere Paul speaks about “the measure of faith” given to every man (Romans 12:3). However mighty or weak our faith may seem to be, we must resolve to be full of that faith so long that it is in Christ Jesus. To have great faith placed anywhere outside of Christ is great folly. We are better to have a trembling faith in a mighty God than a strong faith in the weakness of men. Paul addresses the “faithful in Christ Jesus.”

I appreciate the order of words here. I cannot make a huge deal about it considering the fact that, I’m sure, certain manuscripts may differ on whether it’s “Christ Jesus” or “Jesus Christ,” but we still need to be reminded that our faith is in Christ. This is referencing the truth that Jesus was not just a man but that He was (and is) the Anointed One of God. He is the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies. He is the One who will “not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth…” (Isaiah 42:4) He is the King of Glory, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Prince of Peace, and friend to sinners. Remember that our faith is not in a religious system (though we do cling to pure religion before the Lord). Our faith is in Christ Jesus and we are called to be full of that faith.

A SALUTATION

“… Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ…”

This is Paul’s standard greeting. Out of the thirteen letters that bear his name ten of them contain this exact greeting. The only major variations are in the pastoral epistles where he adds “mercy” to the list. This may seem basic and generic, but this salutation serves to indicate the Apostle’s intent in writing. He is not sending this letter in the hopes that grace and peace would be added to their account.

“Grace” is a term familiar enough to us. It comes from the Greek “charis” which means “favor.” His desire, then, is for his audience to receive, perceive, and believe favor from God. If our sins have been forgiven, the Holy Spirit dispensed to our aid, and treasure laid up for us in Heaven then certainly we can consider ourselves favored by God. Difficulty and hardship work to obscure this truth from us. We think “if God really loves me then why does ______ happen?” Uncertainties of life can hinder us from seeing the certainty of God’s love for His children. Paul writes to the Romans stating that “in all these things” (the hardships and persecutions that accompany the believer) “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37) Indeed, the whole book of Ephesians seems written to remind the Christian that God’s love and favor has been intentionally and irrevocably set on them.

The second part of this greeting is the addition of peace. To wish peace on someone is a common Jewish tradition but, obviously, this goes deeper than a societal greeting. The term indicates an “undisturbedness.” Although Jesus spoke a different word when He calmed the raging waves, the same mental picture might be helpful to us. This peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) It is the gift of Jesus Christ to His disciples. (John 14:27) It is the gift of that that gives us a foundation to face uncertainties. (Philippians 4:7) Without this gift we will be crushed from the pressure of living godly in an ungodly generation.

But where do these gifts come from? “From God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.” THIS is our hope and sure foundation: it is God Himself. These gifts radiate from His own presence. The closer to God we are the surer our peace and the more certain we are of the favor of God. The further we drift the more we doubt his grace and plunge into the depths of uncertainty.

It must be noted that “God the Father” and “our Lord Jesus Christ” are listed here as distinct persons. This, coupled with the fact that the Spirit is explicitly mentioned in a few verses, emphasizes the doctrine of the Trinity. The Father ordains our grace and peace, Jesus Christ secures it through His vicarious death, and the Spirit applies it to those who receive the Gospel. Much like with our prayer life (the Spirit bearing witness and Christ interceding before the Father) we have all three persons in the Triune God working to secure for us grace and peace so that we may know Him aright.

CONCLUSION

Now that we have considered the opening phrases of this book we can begin building on the foundation set. What is that foundation? That God’s will is for us to know Him, to enjoy Him, to be reconciled to Him, and to walk in the fullness of all that He has for us through Christ.