An Overview of Ephesians
By Joe Guagliardo
Ephesians 1:1-14
“Greeting and Blessing the Believers in Ephesus.”
July 30, 2023
In 1973, singer and songwriter Todd Rundgren made the top ten music charts with the song “Hello, it’s Me.” Other artists have used the same or similar title to the song. Hallmark Channel even produced a movie a few years ago titled “Hello, it’s Me.”
The chorus line in Todd Rundgren’s song goes like this.”
“It’s important to me
That you know you are free
‘Cause I never want to make you change for me.”
(Google, Hello it’s me, Lyrics)
In Rundgren’s song, he seems to be talking to and greeting a lost love, whom he thinks about often.
Although not a Christian song, the chorus line above fits well with today’s lesson. Paul greets the Ephesians and explains to them why and that they are indeed free from the bondage of sin. Finally, the believers in Ephesus are free (changed) because of their belief and faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s take a look at the opening verses of Ephesians.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love predestined us for adoption to sonship (1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
In him we were also chosen, (1:11 Or were made heirs) having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
Ephesians 1:1-14
Paul’s greeting to the Ephesians is called a “common greeting.”
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
You’ll find that Paul calls himself an Apostle of Jesus throughout the scriptures. He does this because Jesus Himself called him to be not just a follower but someone who spreads Christ’s Good News.
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him,
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Act 9:1-6
In the following 12 verses, Paul praises Christ for all of the Spiritual blessings God has given him and the believers in Ephesus. Most of what Paul speaks to in this chapter is nothing new to you and me; it should sound familiar.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Paul begins by praising God and thanking Him for the blessings He has bestowed on us, especially the blessing of Christ. If God had not sent His Son Jesus as a living sacrifice, we’d have little or nothing to live for. Our lives would be hopeless.
God sent His son at just the right time:
“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
God sent Jesus at just the right time in history. We may say, “But we have so much more in the ways of communication now; why would 2000 years ago be the right time?”
It’s true; we have telephones, computers, radio, and more to communicate a message. Why would God pick the time He did? Perhaps we have too much, and our ways of communication have too many faults. Plus, 2000 years ago was a simpler time without many of the modern “miracles” we now enjoy.
God waited for three things:
First: There were roads and boats to get people from one place to another. Like the Romans or not, they knew how to build roads.
Second: There was a common language in the society that Jesus was born into. Although He spoke Aramaic, Greek was a common language to many in that day.
Third: The scriptures (Old Testament) spoke of a Savior. The people were waiting and praying for a Savior. Jesus was the answer to that prayer.
As I said earlier, much of what is said in these verses should be familiar, as Paul talks about many of the same things in most of his writings.
Paul concludes:
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
If you hadn’t noticed, Paul speaks of the entire Trinity in these verses. The Holy Spirit guarantees our redemption. He reinforces God’s promise and Jesus’ sacrifice within us every day.
The Holy Spirit guides and directs us in the Way God wants us to go. He also pulls us back on the straight and narrow when we stray.
In 12 verses, Paul tells us of God’s Grace, Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives.
Thanks be to God for all He has done, does, and will do for us.
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