Read & explore together
Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians
These opening lines begin the letter simply and clearly. Paul identifies himself, names the readers, and offers them grace and peace. In just two verses, the greeting shows who writes and whom he addresses.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is the opening greeting of the letter. Paul says he is an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God. He writes to the saints at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus, then speaks grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1–2Main takeaway
This greeting introduces the letter by naming Paul, identifying the readers, and directing them to grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul introduces himselfThe greeting begins with Paul’s name. He describes himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus” and adds that this is “through the will of God”.
Explanation
The greeting begins with Paul’s name. He describes himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus” and adds that this is “through the will of God”. The verse does not explain the term further here, but it does make clear that Paul presents his role in connection with God’s will.
02Paul names the readersPaul addresses “the saints who are at Ephesus” and also calls them “the faithful in Christ Jesus”.
Explanation
Paul addresses “the saints who are at Ephesus” and also calls them “the faithful in Christ Jesus”. These are the words the greeting uses for the people receiving the letter. The verse identifies both their location, “at Ephesus”, and their relationship to Christ, “in Christ Jesus”.
03The greeting speaks grace and peaceIn verse 2 Paul writes, “Grace to you and peace”. The passage does not pause to define these words, but it clearly places them at the centre of his greeting.
Explanation
In verse 2 Paul writes, “Grace to you and peace”. The passage does not pause to define these words, but it clearly places them at the centre of his greeting. Rather than only naming sender and readers, Paul also speaks these words directly to those receiving the letter.
04Grace and peace have a named sourcePaul says that grace and peace are “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. This part of the greeting identifies their source.
Explanation
Paul says that grace and peace are “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. This part of the greeting identifies their source. The letter opens by directing attention beyond Paul and the readers to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as the ones named in this blessing.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul say about his apostleship in this greeting?
Notice the full description in verse 1, especially the words “through the will of God”.
02How does Paul describe the people receiving the letter?
Read verse 1 carefully and list each phrase Paul uses for the readers.
03From whom do grace and peace come according to this greeting?
Follow the words after “Grace to you and peace” and name both persons mentioned.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 1:1–2
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.