Unity in Christ: (chap.1)
Apostle Paul’s Greetings: (1:1-2):
Paul emphasized that he has been appointed by God to the special office of apostle. He calls the church believers as Saints. Saints are those who are set apart, that is, all believers. These saints (set-apart ones) have experienced God’s grace and now enjoy God’s peace. Nowhere does the Bible teach that the church makes people saints; only God can make a sinner a saint. And the sinner must become a saint while he is still alive, for after death is the judgment (Heb. 9:27).
Paul again says “Faithful in Christ Jesus” which is an excellent reputation and a honour for any believer. No matter what their geographical position, the believers in Ephesus had a real position in God’s sight in Christ Jesus. They have been put into a vital union with him so that they are identified with him (Jn. 14:20).Paul greets them with Grace and peace. This same greeting is found in all of Paul’s epistles, though the word mercy is added in the Pastorals epistles. Grace must always precede with peace.
The creation of the body – the role of Trinity: (1:3-14): We can see the work of the Triune God in creating the body of Christ and further the Lord Jesus consecrates the body i.e. the church as they become mature in Him.
The Father has planned: (1:3-6):
This is the wonderful doctrine of election, a doctrine that we cannot fully explain but one we can fully enjoy. God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with spiritual blessings is nothing but in Christ we have all the benefits of knowing God, being chosen for salvation, being adopted as His children, forgiveness, insight, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do God’s will and the hope of living forever with Christ. Because we have an intimate fellowship with Christ, we can enjoy these blessings now. These blessings are eternal. Further Paul says that Salvation depends totally on God. We are saved not because we deserve, but because by His grace who freely gives Salvation. We did not influence God’s decision to save us, but He saved us according to His plan. This is the mystery of Salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. This is God’s “Predestination.” We are accepted through Jesus Christ. God’s purpose is to offer salvation to the world, just as He planned to do long ago. God is Sovereign, He is in charge. God is in control of each and every situation. In Philemon Paul says: “Receive your slave as you would receive me.” In the same way, though we have sinned, Christ says to the Father, “Receive this saint as you would receive Me.”
The son has purchased: (1:7-12):
- He has redeemed us by His blood: (1:7-8): By giving His life on the cross, Christ purchased us from the slavery of sin. Presently God has delivered us from the penalty and power of sin but in the future, He will deliver us from the presence of sin. Now He has forgiven us from the penalty of sin. Sin is a terrible burden that is sent away when a sinner turns to Christ. Christ carried the burden on the cross. For “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1Pet.2:24). In OT it was shown as a foreshadow by the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement, taken into the wilderness (Lev.16:20-22). Through His blood, the Lord Jesus had given us two-wonderful blessings namely, “Redemption and Forgiveness.” Redemption was the price paid to release us from slavery to sin and Forgiveness was granted by His shed blood, because without shedding of the blood there would be no forgiveness” (Heb.9:22b).