Introduction to Ephesians

Apostle

An apostle is one who is “sent forth” like someone sent on a military expedition. It is one who is sent out on behalf of another.

The apostle in the Bible is someone who:

Was with Jesus in His earthly ministry

Witnessed Jesus in His resurrected body

Although Paul did not see Jesus in His earthly ministry, the other apostles confirm Paul is also an apostle because Jesus called Him specifically when Jesus came to Paul.

Q: Who is Paul being sent out on behalf of? What does it mean that Paul is sent out “by God’s will?”

Paul has been sent by Jesus and He is an ambassador for Christ. It also means that when He talks we should consider it with an authority that no one else other than the other apostles can claim to have.

Q: How does God’s will impact your life?

Saints

What is a saint (and a “faithful” saint)?

Someone who has been “set apart” by Christ. A saint is someone whose life is in Christ. A Saint is someone who isn’t common but whose actions and desires are different from the world.

Those who are “faithful” are those who believe in Jesus. It is, in affect, every believer but here it is those saints in Ephesus. But what is also important is that they are “in Christ Jesus”. That is the location of their righteousness and faithfulness. They are only those things because of Christ.

If you are “in Christ” you trust Him and live each day by faith that Jesus has saved you. But this is not of our own work, but only because God has separated us to do it.

“Christians, if faithful to their calling, will not try to be self-sufficient, or to move beyond the limits of the purpose and control and love of Christ, nor will they turn to the world for guidance, inspiration and strength. They find all their satisfaction and their every need met in him, and not in any other place nor from any other source.” (Foulkes)

Grace

What is grace?

God’s unmerited or undeserved (free) favor in providing salvation for sinners through Christ’s sacrificial death and enablement for the believer to live faithfully.

You are no longer in debt to God, but you have been offered complete forgiveness.

“It is the Gospel in one word”

Paul’s desire is that they receive and enjoy this grace.

Q: How do you think you can receive and enjoy grace? Can you earn it?

By faith as God’s gift.

Peace

What is peace?

Peace is about our well-being, of blessings that relieve of us of our worries and fears. It is the source of confidence for a believer that they will receive good things.

It is the cause of God’s grace. We receive peace through grace. And this can be seen as a summary of the Gospel.

Where do we receive this grace and this peace?

From the Father and from the Son through salvation.

What does this introduction teach us?

Even as Paul is prepared to challenge these believers in their faith he wants to remind them that they are secured in Christ and they have been set apart to live differently than the world and with a peace beyond what the world can give them. That God can supply for their spiritual and physical needs.

This greeting is a prayer of blessing for these believers, to be reminded of just how incredible the Gospel is that they believe in, to be an encouragement even when they feel troubled.