“Paul” is the writer of this letter. Paul wrote this letter as a circular letter to be read by other congregations so each would be encouraged to remain faithful to Jesus Christ. Paul was selected by Jesus to be an apostle to the Gentiles. The word “apostle” simply means one sent with a message. In this case, it is Jesus sending Paul with the message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; who is God’s Son and Savior of mankind. “Paul” is “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” When Paul came face to face with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus his life was changed forever. He was changed from persecuting the Church to being a witness for the Church. “Christ” means the anointed one in the Greek language. The corresponding Hebrew language is the Messiah. For centuries the Jews had been looking for the coming of the Messiah and when He came they did not recognize Him. “Jesus” means Yahweh is salvation. Salvation has come to all who will accept the terms Jesus Christ has given to become a part of His body, the Church. “By the will of God” shows us who is in charge; it is God, the Father. This was God’s plan from the beginning that Jesus would have to suffer to become salvation for mankind. As Paul writes this letter, he desires for us to see the sovereignty of God. You will see God sovereignty throughout this letter as you study it entirety. God created you in His image. A part of this image is to be able to choose to be obedient or not. Just remember what you chose will make the difference where you will spend eternity, with God or with out Him.
“To the saints in Ephesus” were the ones receiving this letter first. Because writers wrote on materials needing to be rolled, who wrote the letter and to whom it was written is always at the very beginning. “The saints” are Christians. The actual meaning is to be holy. Every Christian ought to be striving to be holy. “Ephesus” was a major city of the Roman rule in the province of Asia, now the western part of Turkey. Commerce was very strong in this city and was the center of worship for the Temple of Diana.
“The faithful in Christ Jesus” reveals the Church in Ephesus was in obedience to the will of God. They were striving to follow in the steps of Jesus by faithfully serving Him. This phraseology is another way of describing those who were Christians. Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. There is no doubt this letter is from God and every one should pay close attention to what was written. CONSIDER VERY CAREFULLY THIS DESCRIPTION AND SEE WHERE YOU STAND WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!