Commentary - Ephesians 1:1-2

Bird's-eye view

The opening of Paul's letter to the Ephesians is dense, packed with the foundational truths upon which the entire epistle is built. In these first two verses, Paul establishes three critical realities. First is the source of his authority: he is an apostle not by his own ambition or by a vote of men, but directly "by the will of God." This means the letter that follows is not a collection of his personal spiritual insights, but rather a divine communiqué. Second is the identity of his audience: they are "saints" and "faithful in Christ Jesus." This is their objective, covenantal status. They have been set apart by God and their entire existence is now defined by their union with Christ. Third is the substance of the Christian life: it is a life that flows from "grace and peace." These are not pious wishes but the twin pillars of our salvation, originating from the highest possible source, "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," who are presented here as co-equal givers of all spiritual blessings.

This salutation, therefore, is far more than a simple "hello." It is a compact theology that sets the stage for the majestic truths of election, redemption, and the glorious mystery of the church that Paul is about to unfold. It frames the entire letter with God's authority, the believer's new identity, and the divine grace that makes it all possible.

Outline

Context In Ephesians

Ephesians is one of the high water marks of Pauline theology. Unlike letters such as Corinthians or Galatians, which were written to address specific problems, Ephesians appears to be a more general or circular letter, intended to be read by a number of churches in the region. It divides neatly into two halves. The first three chapters are a soaring exposition of Christian doctrine, focusing on what God has done for us in Christ. The last three chapters are a practical application of that doctrine, focusing on what we are to do in response. These opening verses serve as the formal introduction to the whole work, establishing the apostolic authority behind the doctrine and identifying the covenantal status of those who are called to live out the application. The salutation is the front porch of a glorious cathedral of truth.

Key Issues

The Divine Foundation

Before Paul launches into the breathtaking theology of the first chapter, he first lays the foundation stones. Everything he is about to say stands or falls on the authority with which he says it. And so he begins by identifying himself, not by his resume or his accomplishments, but by his divine commission. He is an apostle "by the will of God." This is not an expression of pious resignation, as though he would have preferred another line of work. It is a declaration of authority. God willed it, and so it is. This means that the words that follow are not Paul's words, but God's words through Paul. The authority is derivative, but it is absolute. This is crucial because the truths Paul is about to unpack are not discoverable by human reason or intuition. They must be revealed. And the one who reveals them must have the authority to do so. Paul's claim here is that he is such a man, a divinely appointed messenger.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

Paul begins by stating his name and his office. He is an apostle, a "sent one." This is not a generic term for a missionary; it refers to a specific, foundational office in the church. An apostle was one sent with the authority of the sender. Jesus is the apostle of the Father (Heb 3:1), and the twelve were apostles of Jesus. Paul's claim to this office was central to his ministry, especially since he was not one of the original twelve. He grounds his apostleship not in a decision made by the church in Jerusalem, but in the sovereign will of God. God, in His eternal counsel, determined that Paul would hold this office. This is not Paul's career choice; it is his divine vocation. The authority for this letter, and for all of Paul's ministry, flows directly from the throne of God. He is an apostle of "Christ Jesus," meaning his entire mission is defined by and centered on the person and work of the Messiah.

To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Next, he identifies his audience. He addresses them with two descriptions that are essentially two sides of the same coin. First, they are saints. The Greek word is hagioi, meaning "holy ones." This is not a title for a spiritual elite, a special class of super-Christians. It is the standard New Testament designation for all believers. To be a saint is to be set apart by God from the world and for His purposes. It is an objective, positional status. If you are a Christian, you are a saint. Second, he describes them as faithful in Christ Jesus. This does not identify a subset of the saints, as though some saints were faithful and others were not. Rather, it describes the character of all true saints. They are those who believe, who are full of faith. And this faithfulness is located "in Christ Jesus." This phrase, "in Christ," is central to Pauline theology. It speaks of our union with Him. Our entire identity, our holiness, our faithfulness, is not found in ourselves, but is found only by virtue of our being located in Him. He is our new environment, our new reality.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is Paul's standard greeting, but it is no mere formality. It is a profound theological statement and a declaration of blessing. He begins with grace (charis), which is the unmerited, unearned, free favor of God. It is the fountain from which all other blessings flow. Everything we have from God is a gift of grace. The result of receiving this grace is peace (eirene). This is not just the absence of conflict, but the positive reality of wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation with God. Grace is the cause; peace is the effect. And notice the source of this grace and peace. It comes from "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul places the Father and the Son on the same level, as the unified, divine source of all spiritual blessing. This is a quiet but powerful affirmation of the deity of Christ. Peace with God is possible only through the grace that flows jointly from the Father who planned our salvation and the Son who accomplished it.

Application

These opening verses, though brief, are intensely practical. First, they establish the authority of the Word. Because Paul wrote "by the will of God," this letter is not merely ancient advice; it is divine revelation. We must therefore receive it, study it, and submit to it as the very Word of God. To disregard Ephesians is to disregard the God who willed for it to be written.

Second, these verses establish our identity. In a world that wants to define us by our jobs, our feelings, our failures, or our social status, God defines us by our position in His Son. You are a "saint." You are "in Christ." This is not something you achieve; it is something you are by grace. This identity is the foundation for all Christian living. We are not trying to become saints; we are called to live like the saints we already are. This should demolish both our pride (it's a gift) and our insecurity (it's a secure gift).

Finally, these verses establish the atmosphere of the Christian life. It is a life of "grace and peace." We do not live before God on the basis of our performance, but on the basis of His unmerited favor. This frees us from the wearying treadmill of self-righteousness and the despair of our constant failures. And because we have received grace, we experience true peace, a settled confidence before God. This grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is the air we are meant to breathe every moment of our lives as believers.