EPHESIANS 1:1-3 TO THE FAITHFUL IN JESUS CHRIST

 


EPHESIANS 1:1-3 Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus 2.Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

In verse 1, "of Jesus Christ, by the will of God" Jesus personally commissioned Paul to preach the gospel, according to or "by the will" of the Father. 

Saints here refers to all believers set apart by God in Christ. 

When Paul says "in Ephesus" it indicates that this may have been a letter that was circulated to many churches in Ephesus and not just one singular church. 

Faithful, followed by the preposition "in" and then the noun "Christ Jesus", seems to indicate that the "saints" and those who are faithful are synonymous and not two distinct groups. 

In verse 2, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul is using synonyms here also; because if he would be using them as opposites or two completely separate nouns, he would be saying there are two Gods. Instead, he conveys that they are one in the same maintaining a Father and Son relationship. (John 14:16). 

In verse 3, God and Father, is Paul expressing adoration and praise to God for being the God and Father of Jesus Christ. Even though Jesus is God, as the incarnate son He was dependent on the Father. God the Father was His God. This concept is also mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

Concerning "every spiritual blessing", it is important to note that the blessings of Christianity are mostly spiritual. Paul is specific on that here. So the focus on health, wealth, and prosperity is fine, but they are not guaranteed to the New Testament believer contrary to some teachings out there. Yes, God would desire that we have these things if they do not hinder our walk with Him, but they are not guaranteed. 

This is the opening of Paul's letter to the Ephesians so there isn't any specific application here, but to be clear, Jesus is God, and because He is God is capable of simultaneously being God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

   

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