Untitled Sermon

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

Ephesians Excursus: “Apostle”

In the Greek world a person who acted as an official representative or emissary would be called a “herald” (κῆρυξ, kēryx; 1 Tim 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11), “ambassador” (πρεσβευτής, presbeutēs; cf. Eph 6:20; 2 Cor 5:20), or “messenger” (ἄγγελος, angelos; cf. Gal 4:14), but not an “apostle” (ἀπόστολος, apostolos).

Ephesians Excursus: “Apostle”

Furthermore, the background for his understanding of his apostolic office comes from the OT prophets, not from Graeco-Roman emissaries (cf. on Eph 2:20; 3:5; 4:11).

Paul claims a higher office for himself through the use of the word “apostle.”