INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter while in prison (3:1;4:1) in Rome, likely A.D. 60 or 61. He had visited this important trade center and leading city of Asia Minor to begin his third missionary journey, spending three years there (Ac 19). The Lord worked mightily among mainly Gentiles (2:11;3:1), and the church grew and matured, spreading to seven churches of Asia Minor. Paul saw a vision of the gospel reaching all the Gentile world through Rome (Ac 19:10,21). On his final journey to Jerusalem, he entrusted the elders there, exhorting them, 'Be shepherds' (Ac 20:28).
The major theme of the letter to the Ephesians has to do with the church, of which Christ is the head and all believers are the members of his body. The head governs the body, overseeing its functions, for the health of the whole. God's intent through the church is to reveal His manifold wisdom according to His eternal purpose (3:10,11), making Gentiles and Israel together one body, sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus (3:6). Paul wanted them, and us, to have a clear identity in Christ as members of his body and to see God's glorious purpose to live as members of the new humanity in Christ. Although diverse, we are members of one unit, one body: the church, prepared to carry out God's will in the world, growing to maturity and victory in the spiritual realms. May God help us understand His manifold wisdom and accept this glorious identity as His church.

1. Grace and peace to you (1,2)

Paul was probably in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter to the Ephesians. He had earlier visited there, sent as an apostle of Christ Jesus. Paul recognized the holiness of the people of Ephesus. What made them holy? They were made holy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. God made them holy because they were faithful in Christ Jesus. As Paul greeted them, he wished them grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Chosen to be holy and blameless (3-6)

Even though Paul was in prison at this time, he could give praise to the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul praised God for the blessings He had given the Ephesians (and that He gives to us!). We who belong to God have the blessings of being chosen even before the creation of the world. God chooses His people to be holy and blameless in His sight. We who are God's have the blessings of adoption as His children through Jesus Christ. And we have the blessing of His grace on us. We have all these because of the gospel. We can live gloriously as His children!


Application: Lord, thank you that you chose me long before I was born. I praise and thank you each day.
One Word: Chosen by God to be holy and blameless