It Starts Small

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:

To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

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

Ephesians 1:1-2

Paul an apostle

Paul introduces himself as “Paul and apostle of Christ” in the majority of his epistles. This is a declaration soaked in the essence of his incredible journey. His testimony of transformation is nothing short of remarkable. He was once one of the most zealous persecutors of early believers. However, he experienced a divine encounter with Jesus that forever altered the course of his life. Following this profound moment, he emerged as a passionate missionary, fervently spreading the Gospel. Each time Paul refers to himself as an “apostle of Christ,” it acts as a powerful reminder. It highlights the life-changing impact of Jesus’ love and grace.

Beyond this, Paul’s introduction as an apostle powerfully affirms his credentials. His authority as an apostle serves as a fervent reminder to the recipients of his letter. He is divinely appointed by God. He shares His profound message and guides the church with unwavering conviction. It carries an earnest plea: “You must heed my words with urgency!”

I love how Paul addresses his letter to the Ephesians. If you are unfamiliar with Paul, do some background research on him. This is especially helpful if you are new to God’s Word.

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See: The Apostle Paul, The Church at Ephesus

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peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This powerful verse wraps up the introduction with a heartfelt greeting aimed at Paul’s beloved readers. The evocative “Grace to you” salutation resonates throughout all of Paul’s letters, echoing with significance, except in the Pastoral Epistles. The phrase “peace from God our Father” rings familiar, appearing in nine of Paul’s heartfelt communications. The word “peace” appears over ninety times in the New Testament. However, it is mentioned as “peace from God” only twelve times. Paul passionately emphasizes that this peace springs from the Lord. He fervently revisits this sentiment seven additional times throughout this compelling letter.

See Ephesians 2:14, 15, 17; 4:3; 6:15, 23

The title “Lord Jesus Christ” may not appear in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, or Luke. It does not appear in the profound writings of John either. Yet, it resonates powerfully throughout Acts and the letters of Paul. It shines prominently in James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude. The reasons behind this intriguing pattern remain shrouded in mystery. This is because early manuscripts often depict the name of Jesus as a profound symbol, not just letters. Nevertheless, Paul was clearly intent on presenting both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as equals. This desire was evident in his heartfelt opening greetings to his beloved friends.

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Cross Reference:

• 1 Timothy 1:4,7
• Acts 19

Questions to Ponder:

• Who is the author of this letter? Tell briefly about him.
• Where was it sent to? Tell briefly about that city.
• What do you think is the main purpose of the book of Ephesians?

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