Ephesians 1:1 kjv
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:
Ephesians 1:1 nkjv
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:1 niv
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:1 esv
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:1 nlt
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God's holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 1 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:1 | Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle... | Paul's divine calling to apostleship. |
| 1 Cor 1:1 | Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God... | Echoes precise wording for divine appointment. |
| 2 Cor 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God... | Consistent self-identification and authority. |
| Gal 1:1 | Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ... | Emphasizes divine, not human, source of call. |
| Col 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God... | Identical structure and basis for authority. |
| 1 Tim 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior... | God's sovereign initiative in his call. |
| 2 Tim 1:1 | Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, | God's specific purpose for his apostleship. |
| Tit 1:1 | Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ... | Demonstrates his servanthood and authority. |
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine...” | God's specific election of Paul. |
| Acts 22:14-15 | 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will...’ | Divine purpose behind Paul's apostleship. |
| Acts 18:19 | And he came to Ephesus and left them there... | Paul's early ministry establishing the church. |
| Acts 19:1-20 | Paul's extensive ministry and miracles in Ephesus. | Paul's deep connection to the Ephesian church. |
| Rom 1:7 | To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints... | Common New Testament address for believers. |
| 1 Cor 1:2 | To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints... | Definition of "saints" as consecrated in Christ. |
| Phil 1:1 | To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: | Universal application of "saints" to believers. |
| Col 1:2 | To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae... | Near identical phrasing for recipients. |
| Jn 17:17 | Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. | Foundation of being "saints" in God's truth. |
| Heb 3:1 | Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling... | Believers are "holy brethren" through calling. |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints... | Confirms all believers are "saints." |
| 1 Pet 1:21 | who through Him believe in God... | Highlights reliance on Christ for faith. |
| Jn 1:12 | But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: | "Faithful" as those who believe and receive Christ. |
| Col 2:6-7 | As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith... | Living out faithfulness in Christ. |
Ephesians 1 verses
Ephesians 1 1 Meaning
Ephesians 1:1 serves as the opening salutation of Paul's letter, establishing both the author's apostolic authority and the identity of the recipients. It states that the letter is from "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus," a title denoting divine appointment and authority, confirmed as being "by the will of God." The letter is addressed to "the saints who are in Ephesus," designating them as believers set apart by God, and further specifying them as those who are "faithful in Christ Jesus," emphasizing their active trust and unwavering loyalty rooted in their union with Christ.
Ephesians 1 1 Context
Ephesians 1:1 serves as the crucial opening of a deeply theological and practical epistle. Paul, imprisoned (as inferred from Eph 3:1, 4:1, 6:20), writes to a church he knows well, having spent significant time establishing and ministering there during his third missionary journey (Acts 18:19-21, Acts 19).
The first chapter immediately plunges into profound doctrinal truths, setting the stage for the rest of the letter. Following the salutation, verses 3-14 contain a majestic hymn-like doxology, celebrating the spiritual blessings received "in Christ," from election and adoption to redemption, revelation of God's mystery, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. This rich theological foundation underscores the privilege and position of believers.
Historically, Ephesus was a prominent city, the capital of the Roman province of Asia (Minor), famed for the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a center of pagan worship, occult practices, and philosophical thought. Against this backdrop of paganism and a diverse populace, Paul's letter emphasizes the singular, supreme Lordship of Christ and the unity of believers, both Jewish and Gentile, in Him. The verse directly addresses this community, confirming their new identity and belonging as those chosen by God, countering the societal and spiritual influences they faced.
Ephesians 1 1 Word analysis
- Paul: (Greek: Paulos). A common Roman name, meaning "small" or "humble." This self-designation is significant as the transformed Saul of Tarsus, once a zealous persecutor of the church (Acts 8:3, Gal 1:13), now embraces a new identity reflecting his complete surrender and service to Christ. It implies a sense of humility despite his profound apostolic authority.
- An apostle: (Greek: apostolos). Derived from apostellō, "to send away." This term denotes someone specially "sent" or commissioned by God with a particular divine authority and message. Paul was not self-appointed, nor did he receive his commission from human authority, but directly from the risen Christ (Gal 1:1). His apostleship was characterized by direct encounters with Christ (Acts 9:3-6), commissioning, the ability to perform signs and wonders (2 Cor 12:12), and the foundational work of proclaiming the gospel and establishing churches.
- Of Christ Jesus: Indicates the one who commissioned Paul, and whose authority he bears. Christ is the source, content, and goal of Paul's mission.
- By the will of God: (Greek: dia thelematos theou). This phrase decisively emphasizes that Paul's apostleship was not of human origin, ambition, or designation, but originated from God's sovereign plan and choice. It highlights the divine impetus behind his calling, giving his words supreme authority and countering any potential claims that he was a self-appointed religious leader or a mere messenger of men. This divine will validates the truth of his message.
- To the saints: (Greek: hagiois). From hagios, meaning "holy ones," "set apart," or "consecrated." In the New Testament, "saints" does not refer to a select few exceptionally pious individuals, nor to those who have achieved a particular level of moral perfection. Rather, it refers to all who are consecrated and set apart by God through faith in Christ. It defines their status and identity in relation to God – they belong to Him. Their "saintliness" is imputed by Christ's holiness, not earned by their own merit.
- Who are in Ephesus: This clearly identifies the primary recipients of the letter. Ephesus was a vital city, and this phrase roots the general truths of the letter within a specific community context. Some scholars suggest "who are in Ephesus" might have been omitted in some early manuscripts, suggesting it was potentially a circular letter adapted for various churches, but the weight of manuscript evidence supports its inclusion.
- And faithful: (Greek: kai pistois). This adjective can mean both "believing" (i.e., those who have faith) and "trustworthy" or "faithful" (i.e., those who live consistently according to their belief). In this context, it describes the ongoing characteristic of the Ephesian believers: they are not only "saints" (their divinely-given identity) but also "faithful" (their ongoing commitment and steadfastness in Christ). It signifies active trust and unwavering loyalty to God.
- In Christ Jesus: (Greek: en Christō Iēsou). This is a foundational and frequently used phrase in Paul's writings, particularly significant in Ephesians. It denotes the sphere or realm of existence for the believer. To be "in Christ" means one is united with Him, drawing life, identity, blessing, and righteousness from Him. It describes a deep spiritual union and defines their new reality—all the blessings mentioned in chapter 1 (election, adoption, redemption) flow from this union. It is the very source of their being saints and their ability to be faithful.
Ephesians 1 1 Bonus section
- The dual emphasis on "saints" (objective status/identity bestowed by God) and "faithful" (subjective commitment/character evident in the believer's life) provides a holistic view of the Christian. One's standing before God (sainthood) leads to a transformed life of faithfulness.
- The phrase "in Christ Jesus" is paramount throughout Ephesians, appearing over 30 times. It's the central theological "sphere" within which all divine blessings and human reconciliation occur. It represents not just a legal status but a vibrant, mystical union that forms the very core of Christian identity and existence.
- Paul's consistent self-identification as an "apostle by the will of God" in his letters (e.g., Colossians, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians) was a deliberate strategy to reinforce his unique calling and the divine authority behind the gospel he preached, particularly crucial when dealing with challenges to his authority or doctrine within early churches.
Ephesians 1 1 Commentary
Ephesians 1:1 acts as the authoritative portal into Paul's profound epistle. By stating his apostolic title as "by the will of God," Paul immediately stamps his message with divine authority, underscoring that the truths to follow are not human ideas but God's revealed will. This divine mandate silences potential detractors and compels attention from the recipients. The designation of the recipients as "saints" radically redefines their identity from their former pagan or worldly affiliations, emphasizing their new, consecrated status as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes through the redemptive work of Christ. The added qualifier, "faithful in Christ Jesus," complements "saints" by highlighting the necessary active response to this divine grace—their steadfast belief and unwavering loyalty. This phrase further emphasizes that their faithfulness itself is empowered by their profound union with Christ. Ultimately, this opening verse powerfully establishes the divine source of the message, the sacred identity of the recipients, and the foundational reality of their existence being utterly "in Christ Jesus"—a theme that will echo throughout the entire letter, revealing the staggering spiritual riches and unity available to all who believe.