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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:1-14 Introduction. Paul opens his letter with greetings (vv. 1-2) and a lengthy blessing of God (vv. 3-14) where he expresses the two main themes of the letter: Christ has reconciled all of creation and has united the church in himself.
1:1-2 Greetings. This salutation is briefer than many in Paul's letters. Paul saves his richest introductory remarks for the long blessing of God in vv. 3-14.
1:1 apostle. See note on Rom. 1:1. Paul expresses his authority simply but powerfully: he is an apostle of Christ Jesus. saints. The saints ("holy ones" or "consecrated people") are the faithful members of God's people. In Ephesians, Paul clearly uses the term for all members of the church (Eph. 1:15, 18; 2:19; 3:8; 4:12; 6:18), who are directly called to be holy (1:4; 5:3) and are faithful in Christ Jesus. in Ephesus. It is best to read these words as original even though they are missing in several early manuscripts. The ESV alternative footnote reading, "saints who are also faithful," is less likely because it is clumsy in Greek and because the phrase "saints who are" normally expects a place name like "in Ephesus," rather than "also faithful." Some scholars who believe Ephesians is a circular letter suggest that the words "in Ephesus" were deleted in the copies that were sent to places outside of Ephesus. On Ephesus, see Introduction: The Ancient City of Ephesus.
