(Paul, an apostle ( a delegate, especially an ambassador of the Gospel) of Christ (Anointed One, The Messiah) Jesus by the will (a determination, an act of will, choice or inclination) of God, to the saints (set apart by or for God, holy, sacred) in Ephesus (Coastal city, capital of Roman province in Asia Minor), the faithful (trustworthy, believing) in Christ Jesus:)
Scriptures:
Acts 9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Acts 18:19 When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.
Acts 18:21 But as he left, he said, "I will come back to you if God is willing." And he set sail from Ephesus.
Acts 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
Commentary:
Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians under house arrest. Luke mentions this in Acts 28
This letter was written when this church group was walking with God very well. This is before they began to lose their first love, described in Revelation 2. Why did they lose their first love, which is to love God with all of your heart, mind, strength, and soul? and then also love their love of the brethren as themselves as well?
Scriptures:
Don't Forget Your First Love
Because as the generations began to pass along to the next, the original church leaders were becoming less experienced in persecution or what the original believers experienced at the start. Most of the first generational believers were witness to Jesus's crucifixion or were able to see Him after the resurrection. The 12 disciples were also running along the churches as well. The doctrine of grace and love was still poignant and true.
Over time, they began to focus on their works and forget the greatest commandments of a believer. Your ministry doesn't trump your relationship with God and loving others.
Scriptures:
(1 John 3, John 15, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Matthew 22:34-40,)
What Is The Book Of Ephesians About?
The book overall is about who we are in Christ Jesus, the rich inheritance that comes with this identity, and how to walk in the fear of God (walking in God's ways).
At the beginning of this, Paul is making sure everyone knows what his calling and identity is in Christ Jesus. He is an apostle. He was stopped on the road to Damascus by being knocked off his high horse (figurative and literal) and meeting His Almighty God and King, Jesus our Messiah. Jesus asked him simply, "why are you persecuting me?" Acts 9
During the next three years, Paul is learning God's ways as it pertains to the Gospel of Christ Jesus and all the ways the apostles were taught. Paul was converted and reformed into the mighty man God used for the remainder of his life, until he was beheaded as an old man.
Scriptures:
Commentary:
The Timeline
The letters to the Ephesians were written during Paul's time imprisoned with a Roman guard. There were many letters written during this time. Many of Nero's guards were converted under their physical confinement with Paul. Which is very interesting to say the least.
God does not miss out on any opportunity to bring good out from a bad situation.
At the beginning of this letter, we also see that He said that Jesus chose him and called Him. It is important to recognize that God calls us, not the other way around.
Father God chose us before the beginning of the foundations of the earth being laid. This is a blog I found that might help a bit with this concept:
Scriptures:
(1 Peter 1:3-21, 1 John 1:3-14, 2 timothy 1:8-12, John 15:9-17)
Commentary:
What Is It About Our Identity In Christ Jesus?
It is important to know where your identity is in Christ Jesus and what your calling is. Are you called to teach, prophecy, pastor, help in any way, give, create, exhort, cook, clean...what is your calling to serve God. we are all commissioned to do something as unto God.
Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:7-16
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Commentary:
Jesus chooses whom will serve Him and in what capacity. He will give the gifts and help you to get ready for your calling for Him. It could just be that you are called to just be a mom at home. It is possible to just be a gardener, as unto Him. But friend, all the while, we are all called to the same purpose in these two things:
1. Give the Gospel!
2. Build up the church (edify, encourage, teach God's ways...etc.)
Is it possible the first church of Ephesus forgot to teach these things to the children, or compromised? Is it possible they were not giving the gospel? Were they taking time to just be with Him in the secret place? I don't know, but what I do see in this world today...we are not doing these things as a body of believers. Too much distractions, works related thinking, and idolizing leaders and positions, There is even movement towards business rather than actual Holy Spirit led ministry growth. God chooses the vessels and not man. But, man wants to take the reigns. This is in mans own strength, and he will fall over time.
God chooses your place, not man. Remember that your desires, need to be in God's will, before you set out. Check with Him in prayer and waiting on Him. He is a rewarder of such practices. Wait, pray, and do what He told you at the first. Whatever that is. I know for me, while I am waiting at this point:
1. I seek Him about what my day is and how to love Him in this day
2. I seek Him about what to read in His word that day
3. I seek Him about getting help with relationships in my life, my present roles, and how to love others.
4. I make it a point to stop, listen, and then worship Him throughout the day. This includes reading His word...even if it is a snack.
💓God bless you. You didn't know there could be so much in one simple introduction of Paul writing to the Ephesians, did you? I hope it blessed you. God bless you all and Shalom Shalom. 💓
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