Ephesians 1:1

“To the saints who are at Ephesus”: While the words at Ephesus are missing from certain old manuscript's; Coffman notes: “but the very fact of Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21) being chosen by Paul to convey this letter would suggest that it was surely addressed to some congregation in Asia” [Note:. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. James Burton Coffman p. 113] In addition, the vast majority of manuscripts contain the title. “Some have objected that if Paul had written to the Ephesians, he would have mentioned. number of Christians personally; but such an objection has no value. If the letter had been addressed to the Ephesian congregation, Paul's long residence there and widespread acquaintance would have made it improper for him to single out. lot of people for personal greetings, as he would have been required to leave out far more than he could have included” (Coffman p. 114). Lenski adds, “A deduction that is made from the absence of greetings is unconvincing. Romans, which was addressed to. congregation that had not been founded by Paul, has more greetings than any other letter (Romans 16:1); and Galatians, which was addressed to. number of congregations that had been founded by Paul, has none. Therefore, the presence or the absence of greetings determines neither whether. congregation was founded by Paul nor whether. letter written by him is intended for only one or for several congregations” [Note:. The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. R.C.H. Lenski p.334] In addition, when Paul says that he has "heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you" (Ephesians 1:15), this does not demand that he has never seen these Christians. It should be remembered that when Paul wrote this letter, he had not been in Ephesus for five years! “May one not hear of friends from whom one has been absent for five years?. often hear from my relatives from whom. am separated and not only from people whom. have never seen” (Lenski p. 333).

A circular letter?

Some suggest that originally this letter was. letter for all the churches in this region. This has an element of truth in it, that is, what was written to one congregation did apply to all. Hence, really every letter was to be "circulated" (1 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 4:16; 2 Peter 3:16). But instead of viewing Ephesus as simply one congregation to receive this letter, it makes more sense to me, that Ephesus was the primary target of this letter, and from here the letter was to be distributed to other congregation in the area, that is, the letter to the Ephesians was the letter which Paul informs the Colossians is coming via Laodicea (Colossians 4:16 “read my letter that is coming from Laodicea”).

Themes:

The Church:

“Nobody can emerge from. careful reading of Paul's letter to the Ephesians with. privatized gospel, for Ephesians is the gospel of the church. It sets forth God's eternal purpose to create through Jesus Christ. new society which stands out in bright relief against the sombre background of the old world. For God's new society is characterized by life in place of death, by unity and reconciliation in place of division and alienation, by the wholesome standards of righteousness in place of the corruption of wickedness, by love and peace in the place of hatred and strife, and by unremitting conflict with evil in place of. flabby compromise with it. For the sake of the glory of God and the evangelization of the world, nothing is more important than that the church should be, and should be seen to be, God's new society” [Note:. The Message of Ephesians. John R.W. Stott pp. 9-10] In this letter we learn: 1. Christ is head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), which leaves absolutely no room for. human head or human headquarters. 2. The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). 3. This is the body of the reconciled (Ephesians 2:16), the body of the saved (Ephesians 5:23). Therefore one cannot claim to be saved without being. member of the church. 4. The church is absolutely essential. It is the household of God (Ephesians 2:19), the temple of God (Ephesians 2:21), an essential part of God's eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10-11), the body that Christ will save (Ephesians 5:23), and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32). “In the letter to the Colossian church, Paul emphasizes the fundamental truth that ‘Christ is the fullness of God'. In the Ephesian letter, he decribes ‘the church as the fullness of Christ' (Ephesians 1:23). These two expressions are comparable. Christ, as the fullness of God', means that in Christ all that God means to. human soul and all that His grace has provided for our redemption can be found and only in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The church, as the ‘fullness of Christ' means that all which Christ can mean to. human soul can be enjoyed in His body which is the church, and in it only. It further means that all of the provisions of God's grace through Jesus Christ can be enjoyed only in the church” [Note:. The New Testament: Book By Book. Roy E. Cogdill p. 75]

God's eternal plan of redemption:

God's plan to save all, Jew or Gentile in Christ, is not an after-thought. This plan was in effect before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 3:10-11). This plan, from day one had included the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:6-11). “The contemporary relevance of this message is obvious. Karl Marx also wrote of 'the new man' and 'the new society'. And millions of people have caught this vision and are dedicating themselves to its realization. But Marx saw the human problem and its solution in almost exclusively economic terms” (Stott p. 26). In addition, Marx did not create anything “new”, rather he succeeded in only bringing more oppression and suffering into the world.

Ephesians points out that man's greatest need is not economic freedom, or even education. Man's greatest need is to be reconciled to God and forgiven of his sins (Ephesians 2:1-9).

In Christ:

Barclay said, “The central thought of Ephesians is the realization of the disunity in the universe and the conviction that it can become unity only when everything is united in Christ” (p. 66). In this day when we are hearing so many false views concerning what really contributes to unity, such as unity in diversity. This book offers. refreshing truth. Even racial barriers can be overcome, but only when the Jew and the Gentile both become Christians (Ephesians 2:13-22). Only "in Christ" can we find reconciliation with God (Ephesians 1:3-8). Unity is based on the correct attitude (Ephesians 4:1-3) and the correct doctrine (Ephesians 4:4-6). Caldwell said, “Whatever else we may think or hear preached from today's pulpits, God is most interested in our spiritual well-being, not in our physical or social happiness” (p. xxi).

The Christian “walk”:

Even though we have not merited our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), God does expect the Christian to "walk in. manner worthy of the calling" (Ephesians 4:1). To be engaged in good works (Ephesians 2:10), the walk in love (Ephesians 5:2); as children of light (Ephesians 5:8); as wise men (Ephesians 5:15), and especially to the forsake the "old walk" (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 4:17)

This book is divided into two basic sections: The first doctrinal (Ephesians 1:1-Ephesians 3:21), and the second practical (Ephesians 4:1ff). God expects the Christian to live. certain type of life. True Christian living is based on. proper understanding of doctrinal truths (Ephesians 4:1 “therefore”).

Hence, right up front we know that the word "predestined" in Ephesians 1:5, does not refer to. Calvinistic brand of predestination. Because those "predestined" in this letter: 1. Are expected to live. changed life, and to avoid the sinful life of the world, that is, these Christians are responsible for their own lives and conduct. 2. These Christians can still sin if they are not careful (Ephesians 4:26). The Holy Spirit is not going to miraculously guard them against sin. 3. They have freewill (notice the word "let" in Ephesians 4:28; Ephesians 5:3), and they can fall away and end up lost (Ephesians 5:3-6). Therefore, since this letter definitely contradicts the idea of once saved, always saved (the logical "end" of the theory which begins with predestination), it must also deny the Calvinistic brand of predestination. What is predestined in Ephesians is where God would place salvation, on what terms it would be obtained, and the type of life that would be expected of those who chose to follow Christ.

Valuable Scriptures to remember:

As in any study, it is hoped that the reader will remember certain specific truths. In my experience, the following Scriptures have come in handy:

All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Therefore no spiritual blessings are outside of Christ. This is another argument concerning the necessity of baptism, because baptism stands between one and being in Christ (Galatians 3:26).

The predestination taught in the Bible does not remove personal accountability (Ephesians 1:4).

Christ has all the authority now that He ever will have (Ephesians 1:21). Therefore the claim of Premillennialism (that Christ is not presently reigning as king) is false.

There is no room in the Scriptures for. human head or headquarters in the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

We are not born children of wrath, but acquire this nature by engaging in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Sin is learned and practiced, not inherited.

The faith that resulted in the salvation of the Ephesians, included baptism (Ephesians 2:6 “raised us up with Him”, see also Colossians 2:12).

Good works are not optional for the Christian (Ephesians 2:10).

There is nothing appealing about being an atheist,. person "without God" (Ephesians 2:12).

Reconciliation is only found in the one body (Ephesians 2:16).

Christ again is the only way to God (Ephesians 2:13).

Nothing has been lost in the revelation and inspiration progress. We have access to the exact same truth and the exact same degree of truth that Paul had, when we read his writings. Absolutely no truth or insight into the truth has been lost (Ephesians 3:3-5).

The church is not an after-thought in God's plan (Ephesians 3:10-11), but it is part of God's eternal purpose.

Unity is based on the correct attitude and correct doctrine (Ephesians 4:1-6). Unity also does not happen by accident, it takes hard work (Ephesians 4:3).

Baptism is necessary, for Paul places it side by side with other essential truths (Ephesians 4:4-6).

It is the work of elders, preachers and teachers to equip the saints for service and not to do all the work for them (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Church growth is no mysterious secret. The church grows when each member in the body is doing what he or she can (Ephesians 4:16)

The battle is for the mind (Ephesians 4:17-19).

The devil can only get into your life if you let him in (Ephesians 4:27).

The Christian has freewill (Ephesians 4:3).

Sin needs to be exposed for what is really is (Ephesians 5:11). Nothing "good" or constructive comes from sin. (Ephesians 5:11)

We are commanded to understand God's will, therefore it must be understandable (Ephesians 5:17).

Being successful against sin and temptation only can happen when we avail ourselves of all that God has provided (Ephesians 6:10-18). Man is no match for temptation when he is depending entirely upon his own resources. Therefore, when we fail to resist temptation, it is always our fault. It means that we failed to use the armor that God has given us.

Outline:

As in most books, various ways to organize them exist. Stott gives. very simple and basic outline:

1. The new life which God has given us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-Ephesians 2:10).

2. The new society that God has created through Christ (Ephesians 2:11-Ephesians 3:21), that is, the church.

3. The new standards that God expects of his new society, especially unity and purity (Ephesians 4:1-Ephesians 5:21).

4. The new relationships into which God has brought us--harmony in the home and hostility to the devil (Ephesians 5:21-Ephesians 6:24). (p. 25)

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus”

“Paul”: “In addition to calling him ‘Saul' his father gave his baby boy the Roman name ‘Paul' since the child was born. Roman citizen” (Lenski p. 344). “An apostle of Christ Jesus”: “Then his readers will do well to give heed to his words as spoken by one whose mission is divine” (Erdman p. 27). Often Paul spoke of his apostolic mission (1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Galatians 1:11; Romans 1:1; Ephesians 3:1; 1 Timothy 1:12). “Through the will of God”: “Paul did not become an apostle through. set of fortuitous circumstances, he did not grow into this office” (Lenski p. 345). “The accent in his voice here is not that of pride but of sheer amazement” (Barclay p. 75). “For this ministry he had not volunteered, nor had the church appointed him” (Stott p. 21) (Galatians 1:11). Added to this, the other apostles recognized that Paul was an apostle (Galatians 2:7) and wrote by inspiration (2 Peter 3:15). Jesus noted that to reject one of His apostles is the equivalent of rejecting Him and His Father (Matthew 10:40).

Nothing has really changed, even in the First Century Paul was forced to defend his apostolic status, and had to remind Christians that God spoke through Him (Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:3). There are many religious people who need to be equally reminded of these truths in our own time. Stott reminds us of the following: “Then we must listen to the message of Ephesians with appropriate attention and humility. For we must regard its author neither as. private individual who is ventilating his personal opinions, nor as. gifted but fallible human teacher, nor even as the church's greatest missionary hero, but as ‘an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God', and therefore as. teacher whose authority is precisely the authority of Jesus Christ Himself, in whose name and by whose inspiration he writes” (pp. 21-22). We should also note that Paul was conscious of what he was writing. He knew that this letter was an authoritative message from Heaven. “The Ephesians are receiving an apostolic letter, one that is to be appreciated accordingly” (Lenski p. 345).

“To the saints”: “He is not referring by this familiar word to some spiritual elite within the congregation,. minority of exceptionally holy Christians, but rather to all God's people” (Stott p. 22). If the members of the church at Corinth could be called "saints" (1 Corinthians 1:2), then we know that the word is used for all Christians, that is, anyone who has come into contact with the blood of Christ. The Roman Catholic idea that some Christians lived exceptional lives, so exceptional that they do not need all their good works to enter into heaven, and hence we can avail ourselves to their "spiritual leftovers", is false. Jesus reminded the apostles that after all is said and done, in the end, they would be viewed as unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). “At Ephesus”: “Some very ancient authorities omit this phrase, including the Chester Beatty Papyrus 46, dated about 200 A.D. Also the phrase as it stands in the Vatican and Sinaitic codices was apparently added by. later copyist. The most widely accepted explanation of this is that some early copies left the words ‘at Ephesus' out on purpose so that other churches might insert their own names” (Coffman p. 115). Erdman adds, “the words ‘at Ephesus' are found in all but three existing Greek manuscripts, in the writings of the church fathers, and in all ancient versions of the New Testament” (p. 28). And Boles observes, “On the other hand, in defense of the genuineness of the phrase, it should be noted that in all other places where Paul says, ‘to the saints' he always adds the place where the saints reside” (p. 198). “And the faithful in Christ Jesus”: “And who are faithful in Christ Jesus” (NASV). “It is to be included with the saints under the one article” (Vincent p. 363). Yet some see two groups of Christians in this sentence, hence two groups that this letter was originally addressed to. First the Christians at Ephesus, and secondly, faithful Christians everywhere. “Faithful”: Believing and trustworthy, true and genuine Christians. “In Christ Jesus”: “This phrase, or its equivalent, occurs 176 times in Pauline writings, 36 times in Ephesians alone” (Coffman p. 116). “It denotes. vital union and fellowship with Christ” (Erdman p. 29).

When we see this grand phrase, we must always remember that there is only one way "into Christ Jesus". There is only one way to gain entrance into this fellowship, that is, hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, confession and baptism (Galatians 3:26). Recently some in the liberal churches have ridiculed the "five steps of salvation". But brethren, how can we ridicule the conditions which stand between the sinner and being "in Christ"? In addition, we need to be very careful about making fun of the need to be baptized, for Paul placed baptism in the same list as he placed God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the one faith, and our one hope (Ephesians 4:4)!