Eph. 1.1¶ 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:
Eph. 1.2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although this letter is addressed to the Ephesians it is believed that it is a circular letter for all the churches in Asia.
Paul opens his letter with reminding us that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.
When Paul says this he meant:
1. He is an apostle of Christ.
2. He belonged to Christ.
His life was not his to do with as he like, but he was a possession of Jesus Christ, and he must always live life as Jesus wanted him to live.
He meant that he was sent out by Jesus Christ.
The word apostolos comes from the verb apostellein, (apostolox) which means to send out. It can be used, for instance, of a naval squadron sent out on an expedition; it can be used of an ambassador sent out by his native county. The Christian all through his life should see himself as a member of the taskforce of Jesus Christ. You have been commissioned and sent into the world by Christ 2 Cor 5: 19 – 20 To wit, (in that manner) that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) – Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
We are people with a mission to serve Christ in this world, to share the Gospel and use our gifts within the body of Christ. 1 Cor 12: 27 – 28 – ¶ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (28) – And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
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We walk not in our own power, but in Christ’s power through the Holy Spirit. We have delegated authority. So our authority to go out as an ambassador for Christ is not our own, but is a command from the Lord himself. This same Lord who will restore all things. We serve by HIS will just as Paul did.
We should never be filled with pride in any task that God gives us to do, but be filled with thanksgiving and wonder that he would even ask. That is how Paul felt.
It is HE who calls, who sends and who equips us for every good work. It is always HIS work from start to finish.
Paul begins with his usual greeting. “Grace to you” and “Peace.”
GRACE HAS TWO MAIN IDEAS:
The Greek word for grace is charis (Gr). It has two main ideas one is charm. A Christian should have charm, that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness. A Christian who does not exude these qualities doesn’t offer much to attract the world.
Grace always describes a gift, and a gift, which it would have been impossible for a man to procure for himself, and which he never earned and in no way deserved.
PEACE
1. In Greek the word is eirene but it translates the Hebrew word shalom, which means everything that makes for man’s highest good. It does not depend on outward circumstances. It’s the peace of God that you are in HIS will, it is peace with the Soul. Like the song says “all is well with my soul.” You have come to know the living God in such a way that in the deepest of trouble you know that He is with you. Many people are wealthy, have the big houses, money and the riches of this life, but know not an instance of peace within. It is God’s prosperity that we want, his treasures that are stored up in our heart that we may dwell here on earth, in the assurance that we are right with him, we trust in him, so that no matter our circumstance with have that PEACE that passes all understanding. Rom. 15: 3 1 Cr 14:33, Phi 4:7
Only those that have developed an personal relationship know that peace.
How do you do this?
You come to know HIM through studying HIS Word, Romans 1:16, Romans 16:25
1) It has transforming power to change your life Romans 12: 2 – Eph 4:23
2. Through prayer which is a two-way conversation, you talk and you listen .
By being obedient to HIS word.
THE CHOSEN OF GOD
Ephesians 1: 2 – 4
¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
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:
In the Greek the long passage from verse 3 to 14 is one sentence. It is really a lyrical song of praise Paul is thinking of the Christians as chosen people of God.
He thinks of the fact of God’s choice. God always chooses us, we never chose him. That is really something to think about and be blessed. John 15:16 It would not be such a wonder if man chose God, but the wonder is that he chose me, and he chose you.
Paul thinks of the bounty of God’s choice. God chose us to bless us with the blessings, which are to be found only in heaven. There are things that are beyond us, things we cannot obtained, we can obtain many of the world’s offerings; but by ourselves we can never attain to goodness or to peace of mind. God chose us to give us those things, which he alone can give.
Paul thinks of the purpose of God’s choice, God chose us that we should be holy and blameless. Holy is the Greek word hagios, which always has in it the idea of different and of separation. A temple is holy because it is different from other buildings; a priest is holy because it is different from other men, we are holy because we are called to be separate and apart from the world. God is supremely holy because he is different from men. The Sabbath is holy because it is different from other days.
Do we see this today in the church. Are Christians different from the world that you can tell they are set apart for God. Some are, but many aren’t. The early church knew they had to be different, in fact they would very likely be hated and many gave their life for their beliefs.
It must be remembered that this difference on which Christ insists is not one which takes man out of the world; it makes him different within the world. Rom 12:2. In all things our head is Christ, in the workplace, as an employer, as parents as a neighbor. We are to be a transformed people. 1 Pet 1:23
Blameless is the Greek word amomos (amvmoz) . It is interesting because of its meaning) without blemish.
1) as a sacrifice without spot or blemish
2) morally: without blemish, faultless, unblameable
Under Jewish law before an animal could be offered as a sacrifice it must be inspected; and if any blemish was found it must be rejected as unfit for an offering to God. Only the best was fit to offer to God.
3) Amomos things of the whole man as an offering to God. It thinks of taking ever part of our life, work, pleasure, sport, home life, personal relationships, and making them all that can be offered to God. ROM 12:1 We are not to be second best; it means that the Christian standard is nothing less than perfection. How do we accomplish this not by might, not by power but by my Spirit says the Lord. Zec 4:6 , Luke 1: 37
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