Ephesians 1:1 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the saints and believers in Christ Jesus at
“Tom this is Sally. Sally this is Tom.” How many times do we go throughout our lives being introduced to new faces? Experts say that we tend to size people up and make judgments about them within the first thirty seconds. Within Ephesians 1:1, Paul in essence is making introductions. It is as if Paul is writing a memo and wants to clearly state from whom and whose authority it is written as well as describing the recipients of the “memo.” Within this short introduction (these first “thirty seconds”), Paul wants to make it very clear to his readers the substance from which he is writing… this essence and focus of the entire letter. Paul seems caught up and consumed with the concept (the essence and focus) of being IN CHRIST and allowing everything else to be an outflow from that “being.” You can’t read the first chapter of Ephesians without being hammered with being “in Christ.”
The emphasis of “being in Christ” in verse one is contained within the words “OF” and “IN.”
Paul: Apostle OF
Paul begins his book by disclosing himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus. Apostles, who were eye witnesses to the life of Jesus, were literally the first evangelists of the early church. Though the word “apostle” (used 79 times throughout the New Testament, 35 of which are contained with Paul’s writings) has the idea of being an ambassador or messenger, the focus is being sent or commissioned with the authority of and responsibility to the sender. In classic Greek, the idea of “apostle” was used to describe a high ranking officer in the navy specifically referring to the commander in charge of a fleet or embassy. It is as if a king sends out a messenger who literally speaks and acts with the authority of the king. The listeners must take every word of the ambassador as if the king was standing before them speaking the words himself. The ambassador, literally being the voice and representation of the king, is responsible to the king for being an authentic witness. Paul, in this passage, seems to clarify specifically who he is an ambassador for: of Christ Jesus.
However, this apostleship that Paul is claiming is not a job but literally who he is. Being an apostle is not a role or position he has, but rather Paul is “in” Christ who happens to be in the position of apostleship. The focus is not on doing a position or claiming a title, but literally being “of” Christ Jesus. The essence of who Paul is, is being so intertwined with and focused upon Jesus that it is no longer Paul being an ambassador FOR Christ but literally Jesus is the messenger THROUGH Paul: Paul, an apostle OF Christ Jesus. Jesus is the source and focus of who Paul is. In Philippians, Paul is so strong in this that he states living is Christ (Phil. 1:21).
Further, Paul states that his apostleship is by God’s will. Paul seems captivated by God’s will, for he uses the word several times throughout Ephesians 1. In verse five he states He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will. In verse nine Paul says He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him. And again in verse 11 In Him we were also made His inheritance, predestined according to the purpose of the One who works out everything in agreement with the decision of His will. However, in verse one, Paul is very clear in that the “will” is not a command (as in Paul had no choice in the matter) but rather because God willed it, Paul couldn’t help but be an apostle. The Greek word “will” is an expression or inclination of pleasure toward that which is liked, pleases, and creates joy. Therefore, as we get into the will of God, we find it is not demanding (“oh I have to”) but it becomes something we GET to do, which brings an expression and inclination of pleasure. If you notice in both verses five and nine, closely connected to the will of God is His good pleasure.
Believers: Saints IN
Language is often interesting to study, especially New Testament language. Paul was confined to the Greek language when writing and thus at times had to “borrow” words to express ideas and concepts. The word “saints” used in verse one was originally a term Paul took from pagan Greek religions. In such religions, a saint was one who expressed devotion to the gods. For example, a Greek worshipper would bring an offering to a god as a gift and devote it to that god. This idea of devotion can also be found in the magnificent temples the Greeks built which were devoted to a certain god. These temples were set apart from any secular use and consecrated to the worship of a particular god. Though the temples were often filled with immoral practices that were a part of their worship, for example a temple in
In Greek, there are five synonyms for “saint” expressing the understanding of holiness. However, the word hagios, which Paul uses in Ephesians, is the only one of the five synonyms that is used in the Old and New Testaments to express the Biblical concept of holiness. It will aid out understanding of the word hagios by looking at the contrasting synonyms. The first synonym is hieros which is the formal consecration and contains the idea of something being “sacred.” Hosios is being “right” or “hallowed” by divine character. Semnos is about being honorable. Hagiazo is to ceremonially purify something – to make something holy. Though these four synonyms have the idea of being “holy,” hagios is all about sacredness. It is wrapped up in being physically pure and morally blameless. It relates to purity from defilement, which can be seen throughout the Old Testament as God commanded the Israelites to abstain from certain things (such as corpses). But as we move into the understanding of holiness and “saint” we begin to see that it has the concept of being morally pure, upright, blameless in heart and life, virtuous, holy, and set apart. Yet this is not a one time experience! We do not become “holy” and sit back and live out the rest of our lives; nor do we wait to die before we are considered a saint. Paul is strong in the idea that this is not a one time thing but a life-long movement toward and into holiness (the literal person of Jesus). Saints are not dead people who have lived a good life and are now idolized and hung on our walls. Rather, Paul is addressing “saints” in the church of Ephesus (and it is fascinating to point out that these people have not been Christians for a long period of time) though he calls them saints several times throughout the book of Ephesians (1:1, 1:15, 1:18, 2:19, 3:8, 4:12, 5:3, 6:18). “Saints” in Paul’s understanding are not dead but alive and continuing to grow and move closer to Jesus. They are completely focused upon Jesus yet they are not done being “saintly” – needing the grace and peace of verse two found IN CHRIST.
Additionally, the adjective “saint” (hagios) in verse one is dative which suggests personal interest and shows possession. These saints belong to God. Perhaps a better way to state this is that saints don’t try to be saints. They are being sourced by God and hence they are saints. Once again, like Paul being an apostle, it is not about position (apostle or saint) but about source. It is about getting into the Person of Jesus and allowing Him to produce Himself and live through your life.
What would it look like if I lived in a constant awareness of Him? Continually being sourced by Him alone? Paul stated that he is an apostle OF Christ and that we are saints IN Christ. Oh to have a life OF and IN… where everything that happened in our lives was Him flowing through us. Where our focus is on Jesus and the outflow of Him in our life is holiness (saints). I want to dive in and get wrapped up in that! Do you?
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