Ephesians Introduction - Ephesians 1:1-3

Acts 18:18–21 ESV

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

Acts 19:1–10 ESV

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all. 8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

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Ephesians 1:1–3 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Introduction

English Standard Version Introduction

The apostle Paul wrote Ephesians to the churches around Ephesus (

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1. Background

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a. The Place

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b. Pagan

Worshipped the god Artemis. The god of the moon and the hunt. Twin sister of Apollo son of Zeus.

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c. Paul’s Ministry

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Acts 20:31 ESV

31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.

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2. Greeting v1-2

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Ephesians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. An Apostle v1

Ephesians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

No, he is, and wants the Ephesians to know that he is, an apostle of Christ Jesus, and this not in the broader sense merely but in the fullest meaning that can properly be given to the word apostle. Has he not received his call to office directly from Christ? Hendriksen

Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

Paul continues, through the will of God. The apostle has attained his high office neither through aspiration nor through usurpation nor yet through nomination by other men but by divine preparation, having been set apart and qualified by the activity of God’s sovereign will. Hendriksen

b. The Saints v1

Ephesians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

The saints are those who by the Lord have been set apart to glorify him, the consecrated ones, whose task it is to proclaim God’s excellencies (

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

c. The Faithful v1

Ephesians 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

Had it not been for their connection with Christ, a connection infinitely close, these people would not now be saints and believers. Moreover, their present life of faith has its centre in him. For them “to live is Christ” (

Philippians 1:21 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Revelation 2:5 ESV

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

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Revelation b. Rebuke (2:4–5)

A decade after John wrote the Apocalypse, Ignatius penned a letter to the church at Ephesus in which he praised the local Christians for their patient endurance and their resistance to deceit. He notes that some people from Syria had passed through Ephesus with evil teachings but that the Ephesians had refused to listen. He commends them for being of one mind with the apostles in the power of Jesus Christ. Apparently, the people had taken seriously the words of Jesus. Hendriksen

d. Salutation v2

Ephesians 1:2 ESV

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

i. Grace

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Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

God’s spontaneous, unmerited favour in action, his freely bestowed lovingkindness in operation, bestowing salvation upon guilt-laden sinners. Hendriksen

ii. Peace

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Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

Grace is the fountain. Peace belongs to the stream of spiritual blessings which issues from this fountain. This peace is the smile of God as it reflects itself in the hearts of the redeemed, the assurance of reconciliation through the blood of the cross, true spiritual wholeness and prosperity. Hendriksen

iii. From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians Opening Salutation (1:1, 2)

Now this grace and this peace have their origin in God the Father (

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

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3. Blessed Be God v3

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Ephesians 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Conclusion

Colossians 3:1 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 3:1 ESV

1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.