1:1 at (a-19) Lit. 'in,' as Acts 13:1 ; Revelation 2:1 . Ephesus. (b-20) It may be interesting to mention that though 'at Ephesus' is found in almost all copies, many authorities would leave it out. Some, without sufficient ground, have considered it as a kind of circular. Compare Colossians 4:16 . read more
Thanksgiving for Blessings and Prayer for Wisdom1, 2. The salutation. I. In the Salutations to the Colossians and to Philemon, written at the same time, ’Timothy the brother’ is coupled with St. Paul. He is omitted here because of the general character of the letter. At Ephesus was omitted for the same reason (see Intro.). The Apostle takes the whole responsibility of instructing Christians at large respecting ’the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27).2. This is the usual salutation in the... read more
(1) By the will of God.—This phrase, used in 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1 (comp. the equivalent expression of 1 Timothy 1:1), appears to be St. Paul’s ordinary designation of the source of his apostolic mission and authority; used whenever there was nothing peculiar in the occasion of the Epistle, or the circumstances of the Church to which it was addressed. It may be contrasted, on the one hand, with the more formal enunciation of his commission,... read more
[1.Introduction to the Epistle (Ephesians 1:1-23).(1) SALUTATION (Ephesians 1:1-2).(2) THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR—(a)The election of the whole Church before the world began, by the predestinating love of the Father, to holiness, grace, and glory (Ephesians 1:3-6);(b)this election depending on Redemption, in virtue of unity with Christ as the Head of all created Being (Ephesians 1:7-10);(c)and being manifested doubly, in the calling and faith, first of the Jewish, then of the Gentile Christians... read more
Ephesians 1:7 Forgiveness of sins lies at the very heart of the Christian religion. That title of our Lord which appeals most to the heart of mankind is the title which is His as Saviour. It is proclaimed in that fact which of all facts in history has most impressed itself upon the imagination of mankind, the Sacrifice of Christ. In the Apostles' Creed we say, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins'. It is a petition in that prayer which is the model of all prayer the Lord's Prayer, we pray,... read more
Chapter 1THE INTRODUCTIONTHE WRITER AND READERSEphesians 1:1-2In passing from the Galatian to the Ephesian epistle we are conscious of entering a different atmosphere. We leave the region of controversy for that of meditation. From the battle-field we step into the hush and stillness of the temple. Ephesians 1:3-14 of this chapter constitute the most sustained and perfect act of praise that is found in the apostle’s letters. It is as though a door were suddenly opened in heaven; it shuts behind... read more
Analysis and Annotations I. THE MASTERWORK OF GOD (1-3) 1. The Godhead at Work CHAPTER 1 1. The introduction (Ephesians 1:1-2 ) 2. The great doxology (Ephesians 1:3 ) 3. The work of the Father (Ephesians 1:4-6 ) 4. The work of the Son (Ephesians 1:7-12 ) 5. The work of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14 ) 6. The parenthetical prayer to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory (Ephesians 1:15-23 ) In the brief introductory words to this Epistle, Paul speaks of himself as an... read more
1:1 Paul, {1} an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the {a} faithful in Christ Jesus:(1) The inscription and salutation, of which we have spoken in the former epistles.(a) This is the definition of the saints, showing what they are. read more
SALUTATION (vs.1-2) As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul writes this epistle as an authoritative communication from God. Indeed, his apostleship is "by the will of God." Nothing of his own or of any other person's activity is involved in this at all. God gave Paul this place: he must simply accept it and act for God in it. No other could possibly substitute for him here. The epistle is not addressed to the Ephesian assembly as such, but to the saints at Ephesus, for assembly order is not the... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 1:1-2
I. SALUTATION 1:1-2In most of his epistles Paul began by setting forth foundational truth and then concluded by applying that truth to the lives of his readers. This pattern is very obvious in Ephesians where the first three chapters deal with doctrine (teaching) and the last three with practice (application). Of course, there is some doctrine in the last three chapters and some application in the first three, but generally this is how Paul organized his material. Compare the Book of Romans in... read more