Ephesians- Chapter 1- Lesson 1 – Introduction to the Writer and His Audience

Ephesians
Chapter 1
Verse 1
I) Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ
A) Born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia- Acts 22:3
1) Evidently from a family of means- Acts 22:28
2) Of tribe of Benjamin- Philippians 3:5
B) Trained in Jerusalem- Acts 22:3
C) A Pharisee Philippians 3:5
1) As such sincere and strict- Philippians 3:6
2) Well educated- Acts 22:3
3) Zealous- Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-2; 22:3-5
D) Conversion to Christianity- Acts 9:3-19; 22:4-11; 26:13-18
1) Received message evidently from Christ in Arabia- Galatians 1:10-17
2) Preaching rejected at Damascus- Acts 9:20-22
3) Preaching rejected at Jerusalem- Acts 9:23-29
4) Sent to Tarsus for protection- Acts 9:30-31
5) Sought by Barnabas to help Antioch church- Acts 11:25
6) Sent out as Missionary by church at Antioch- Acts 13:1-5
II) An apostle of Jesus Christ
A) Apostle- one sent on a mission with authority or under authority to represent another
1) Missionary- Acts 13:1-5- “being sent forth”
2) Apostle to the gentiles- (sphere of labor) Acts 9:15; Romans 11:13; Galatians 2:6-9; 1 Timothy 2:7
B)  Of Jesus Christ-(Sovereign of labor)
1) Jesus- Matthew 1:21- earthly name, Greek rendering of Joshua- Jehovah Saves
2) Christ- Anointed, same as Hebrew title Messiah- His office
Three offices anointed
a) Prophet- spokesman; first coming
b) Priest- intercessor; present ministry
c) King- ruler; second coming
III) By the will of God- Acts 9:15; 13:2; 26:17 (Power/ authority of labor)
IV) To the saints at Ephesus
A) Saints- Separated from common use; dedicated; hallowed
B)  Dative case- case of personal interest
1) It was for their benefit or in their interest that Paul wrote
2) It was for their benefit or in their interest that God set them apart
C) Ephesus-Paul’s first visit was at end of second missionary journey
1) With Aquila and Priscilla- Acts 18:18-21
2) For 2 years- Acts 19
3) Home of temple of Goddess Diana
a) Temple  one of seven wonders of world- magnificent
b) Diana-goddess of wilderness, also associated with fertility
c) Worship included prostitution
V) And the faithful in Christ Jesus
A) Faithful-trustworthy- their character
1) Saints- what they were by position
2) Faithful- what they were by character
3) The words are synonymous, referring to the same thing. One stresses position the other conduct.
B) In Christ Jesus- the realm of their position and service