Ephesians 1
Ephesians 1 [∞]
{{1c|Eph1:1 [∞] ▸ ± Eph1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Discussion
Paul [∞]
Saul is the Hebrew name of the first king of Israel. He was chosen because his looks were desirable to the people. This Saul (of the book of Ephesians) was not desirable, having a reputation for persecuting Christians. [2] 'Saul' also means 'obtained you שא to be separated ו for teaching ל', and was dramatically chosen to preach. [3] Saul was well trained in the Jewish scriptures. He is an example of the scribe in the parable who knows the old and is taught the new. [4] [5] When he calls himself Paul, he is hinting at his claim to be the least of the apostles [6]; it is a humility, having persecuted the church. |
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Apostle [∞]
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Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, and the Lord Jesus Christ [∞]
'Jesus Christ' says that he was the man who 'grew into' literal messiah as he purposefully fulfilled scripture and faced the cross. 'Christ Jesus' says that he was the prophesied messiah known as 'Yeshua': 'God humbled' and 'God in the flesh with a marriage in his heart'. 'Lord Jesus Christ' says that he was the Eternal God who became flesh and was the messiah. |
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Apostle of Jesus Christ [∞]
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By the will of God [∞]
How would he know that the Father chose him? Just as Jesus has confirmation of the Spirit and the Father at his baptism, Paul has confirmation from Jesus and the Father. Obediah 1:1 appears to be a prophecy of both Paul and Christ.
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Saints and faithful [∞]
The faithful also refers to the same people being the sheep. In the spirit they choose to live by the word of God rather than by the instinctive goat. His appeal will instruct the goat and commend the sheep. He addresses the saints, or goats in the physical location of Ephesus. He speaks to the faithful in the spiritual reality of being 'in Christ'. He uses 'Christ Jesus' since 'Christ', the messiah (the spiritual), is the focus of the title. |
▸ ± Eph1:2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discussion
Grace and peace [∞]
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God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ [∞]
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God our Father [∞]
Father means 'after he created the heavens and the earth, he revealed himself to man'. This is the primary meaning. Consider a child who looks at footprints in the sand and points saying, "Father". The child knows that the footprints are not his father, but signs that he has been there. We point to the green shoot and say Father because it is evidence he gave the first life. [1] We point to the fruit and say father because it is evidence he gave us the second life. [2] He is father to both our flesh and our spirit. |
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Lord Jesus Christ [∞]
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▸ ± Eph1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: ▸ ± Eph1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ▸ ± Eph1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ▸ ± Eph1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ▸ ± Eph1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; ▸ ± Eph1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
▸ ± Eph1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him: | |
▸ ± Eph1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: | |
▸ ± Eph1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. | |
▸ ± Eph1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, | |
▸ ± Eph1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. | |
▸ ± Eph1:15 ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, | |
▸ ± Eph1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; | |
▸ ± Eph1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: | |
▸ ± Eph1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, | |
▸ ± Eph1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, | |
▸ ± Eph1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], | |
▸ ± Eph1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: | |
▸ ± Eph1:22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, | |
▸ ± Eph1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. |