Ephesians 1

Ephesians 1 [∞]

▸ ± Eph 1:1-23) Discussion

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 [∞] Paul "small or little one" was not renamed from Saul שאול "desired" by Jesus on the road to Damascus. He has a dual name. 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. 'Saul' also means 'obtained you שא to be separated ו for teaching ל', and was dramatically chosen to preach. 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. When he calls himself Paul, he is hinting at his claim to be the least of the apostles ; it is a humility, having persecuted the church. Apostle [∞] An apostle was not a super Christian. The title indicates they were chosen by God to preach the gospel where it had not been preached; they were sent out. Paul brought the gospel to Corinth. When he spoke to the Romans, he claimed only to be the apostle to the Gentiles, since Peter was in Rome for the Jews. ∞ Q: Should people today have title of 'apostle'? Answer: Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus, and the Lord Jesus Christ [∞] The variation in titles is not just a poetic variation; it is a focus on various aspects of Jesus. The emphasis is given to the first name and the transition to the second. '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. Apostle of Jesus Christ [∞] Paul claims to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was sent by Jesus to introduce the gospel to the Gentiles. By the will of God [∞] Paul was chosen by the risen Christ to be an apostle. Sure, Jesus is God, but Paul says he was chosen by the will of God, which refers to the invisible Father. 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. Ob 1:1 [∞] ▸ ± Ob 1:1 ¶ The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. Discussion Edom [∞] 'Edom' אדום is a variation of 'Adam' אדם . They both mean 'red'. Edom also means 'mist' אד clarified ו by the finished work of the Son ם. The mist is the mystery word of God as general revelation. ∞ Q: Q How does mist get finished? Q1 [∞] Answer: Rumour Ambassador among the heathen Saints and faithful [∞] According to the pattern of two, saints would refer to those in the visible church in Ephesus, and faithful would refer to those in the invisible church. This will become apparent when he answers the question of "How then should we live"?" he gives instructions to put away certain practices. They were still living in the flesh, as we all do, still having the goat nature. The visible church is filled with people of the flesh. 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 [∞] ▸ ± Eph1:2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. Discussion Grace and peace [∞] In the pattern of two, Grace and peace are two sides of one thing: relationship. God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ [∞] In the pattern of two, the Father is the invisible Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ is the same God , but visible. God our Father [∞] The word 'ab' אב means 'Father', 'green shoot', and 'fruit'. The nature of a father is that he gives life. 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. We point to the fruit and say father because it is evidence he gave us the second life. He is father to both our flesh and our spirit. Lord Jesus Christ [∞] 'Lord' in the Hebrew is 'Yahweh' יהוה. It is not merely an acknowledgement that we serve him and he is the master. It indicates that he is the master because he is God who revealed himself as "I am". This is missed if the Greek is not translated to Hebrew for correlation.
▸ ± 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.