Proseuche Commentary
Melisa Williamson
“Greetings”
Ephesians 1:1-2
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus through the desire of God, to those holy ones and believers in Christ Jesus—grace to you and peace from God our Father and the[1] Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul an apostle . . .
What is an apostle? Paul’s says an apostle has seen Jesus and shares Him with new people, like he did. For this reason, he called the Corinthians, “the seal of my apostleship in the Lord” (1 Cor 9:1-2).[2]
And how does an apostle minister? Paul said that, like other Christians, the apostles were free to eat all types of food, travel with their believing wives, and receive support for their ministries, just like “the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas” did (1 Cor 9:5). An apostle did not have to do these things, and Paul chose not to, but he could have. For Paul, being an apostle meant that he was suppose to “sow spiritual things” in the lives of these new churches. And he had partners, for others ministered to the same people (1 Cor 9:11-12). Personally, his objective was not travel or income, but to bring the Good News of Jesus to others. He writes, “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” It seems that Paul thought that his job description as an apostle of Christ Jesus, was to share the Good News so that some might be saved and then to minister to that group for their spiritual formation.
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus . . .
Who was Paul an apostle of? Christ Jesus. Or, better worded, Messiah Jesus. We think of Christ as Jesus’ last name, but it was actually a title. The Jews had been, and many still are, anticipating the arrival of their Messiah. The first Christians were Jews who believed that Jesus was this long awaited leader. The Greek word, “christos,” referred to the Hebrew word for “messiah,” which meant “anointed one” or “covered in oil.” You see, an anointing was an ancient spiritual practice. In a ritual, they poured oil on a person’s head to show that she had been chosen and favored by God. We are told that, “Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward . . . ” (1 Sam 16:13). Oil was also a body cleanser for those who lived in dry areas, as it was poured on and then scraped off to remove the dirt. It also moisturized and scented the skin and hair. For Paul, Jesus was not just a great teacher. Because of Paul’s physical encounter with the resurrected Jesus, he believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the “Christ.” And so here, in Ephesians 1:1, Paul describes himself not as the apostle just of “Jesus,” or even “Jesus of Nazareth,” but an apostle of “Messiah Jesus.” The Israelite Paul, a zealous Pharisee of the Tribe of Benjamin, describes himself as an apostle of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus through the desire of God . . .
How did Paul become an apostle? Before he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul persecuted Christians for pulling people away from his understanding of a proper way to worship the Hebrew God. Not only did he consider their claims about Jesus to be invalid, he instigated their persecution. Paul was passionate for God, and he was willing to go to any length to serve Him—even imprisoning or killing others. But God had another plan: Paul was being called to offer his own life and body, not t give that of others. Paul recognized that this was God’s plan for his life, not his own. Here, Paul clarifies this. It was God’s desire, God’s will, that Paul be an apostle of Messiah Jesus.
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus through the desire of God, to those holy ones and believers in Christ Jesus . . .
Who are the people that Paul writes to? The letter opens with a tension, a spiritual drum roll. For, Paul, the apostle of Messiah Jesus, appointed by the very will and desire of God is writing to . . . those holy ones. Our English Bibles use the word, “saint” for this Greek term, which is the French word for “holy.” Yet, Paul’s intention was to addresses the recipients of his letter, which includes you and I, as holy ones. A word that was used to describe sacred objects set aside for use in the Temple. And so, if Paul began by stating his own position in Christ, he now turns and focuses on ours. Those in Ephesus and those reading this right now, those who believe in Messiah Jesus, they are holy. You are holy—set apart for use by God—just like Paul.
Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus through the desire of God, to the holy ones and believers in Christ Jesus—grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who is God’s grace and peace for? Grace and peace to you from God. Grace and peace are gifts that only God can bring. This Grace is kindness and favor, while peace is that which follows. And just as a calling comes from God, so does grace and peace—from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
May the grace and peace that come only from God rest upon you,
holy one of God.
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