Ephesians Series Introduction; What's in a Greeting

Nî hâo - Mandarin Chinese

Sawatdi – Thia

Jambo – Swahili Kenya

Guten Tag - Germany

Salvete – Latin plural

Hola Buenos días – Spanish

What's in a greeting?

“I can tell you one thing about all Indian people and it is that greeting is a very big thing for us. In fact some say that greetings are a salutation to God for them.” Quote from article on greetings - Satsrikal greeting is for all in India

“Greetings in Zambia are like a foundation that must be laid before your message can be communicated.” Missions to Zambia - Mwapoleni mukwai, Hello in Bemba

How we greet people means something. It communicates what we think of them. It can communicate what we think of ourselves. It can even communicate what we think of God – even the Gospel itself. What does how you greet people communicate what you believe?

Ephesians 1:1-2 Grace and Peace

This salutation is briefer than many in Paul's letters, probably because he knew the believers at Ephesus very well, more than in Corinth or Rome, saving his richest introductory remarks for the long blessing of God that follows.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does Paul introduce himself?

Paul, Paul's opening greetings expand the conventional greetings found in ancient letters. He writes this greeting with the intention of communicating something in particular. Because Paul mentions his imprisonment (3:1; 4:1; 6:20), this letter should be dated to c. a.d. 62 when Paul was held prisoner in Rome (Acts 28). There was no specific occasion or problem that inspired this letter, though Paul does mention that he desired the Ephesians to know how he was getting on in prison (6:21–22).

Ephesians articulates general instruction in the truths of the redemptive work of God in Christ; the unity of the church among diverse peoples; and proper conduct in the church, the home, and the world. Unity and love in the bond of peace mark the work of the Savior as well as Christians' grateful response to his free grace in their lives.

There are two main themes of Ephesians: Christ has reconciled all creation to himself and to God, and Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church. These great deeds were accomplished through the powerful, sovereign, and free working of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and are recognized and received by faith alone through his grace. In light of these great truths, Christians are to lead lives that are a fitting tribute of gratitude to their great Lord. How does Paul lay the foundation for the teaching of all of this truth in his introduction? How does Paul re-introduce himself?

Apostle emphasizes that Paul's authority is equal to that of the 12 apostles chosen by Christ. The apostles were specifically called by Jesus and had seen the resurrected Christ. The Greek word for “apostle” is apostolos, “one who is sent” and is derived from the verb apostellō, “to send out” which was used in the Greek OT to designate those commissioned as authoritative representatives to act in the name of the one who sent them. The apostles established and governed the whole church, under Christ, and they had authority to speak and write the words of God, equal in inspired authority to the OT writers. Paul was called to be an apostle when Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road in Acts 9. Paul specifically here calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ, making clear that he has no authority of his own, but that he was sent by Jesus. He spoke for Christ and wrote for Christ, not himself. He makes clear that this calling is in accordance with the will of God. He did not choose apostleship, but was chosen by God. His hope and security of his calling lay at the feet of the throne of God.

How would you introduce yourself? What would it communicate about you? Our introduction must reflect the fact that God is primary in our lives, not our hobbies, jobs or where we go to school or church. How does Paul address his audience?

Saints. Literally, “holy” or “dedicated ones,” referring to the identity and way of life of all who belong to God. Paul is speaking to believers, and thus everything he says is instructive for us as believers as well. However, he is addressing a specific group of believers, those at Ephesus.

Ephesus was a wealthy port city in the Roman province of Asia. It was a center of learning and was positioned near several key land routes in western Asia Minor. Ephesus boasted the temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Ancient Ephesus forms an appropriate background to the book of Ephesians because of this city's fascination with magic and the occult. This helps explain Paul's emphasis on the power of God over all heavenly authorities and on Christ's triumphant ascension as head over the church and over all things in this age and the next. The Ephesians needed to be reminded of these things in order to remain resolute in their allegiance to Christ as the supreme power in the world and in their lives. But Paul is more specific than even that. Who is it he is talking to?

Those who are faithful. The faithful saints at Ephesus. Authentic believers who have not only made a profession of faith, but who have held to a confession of faith and lived out a life of faith. What does it mean to be faithful? How do we know that we are in the group that Paul is addressing? You see Paul makes clear that it is not enough to be in church and say the right things, or even to do the right things, but our lives must be marked by faith, by the grace of God in Christ. So, what is it then that Paul essentially wants to communicate in his greeting?

Grace and Peace. Paul wants to communicate the two main themes of the letter: the reconciliation of all Creation to God through Christ, and Christ has united people from all nations to himself and to one another in his church. Grace. Paul uses a wordplay on the normal Greek greeting. Where the Greeks said, “Hello” (Gk. charein), the Christians said, “Grace” (Gk. charis). Paul intentionally wants to emphasize the idea of grace, that God has acted to reconcile us to himself, not based on who we are, but based on his nature and character, not through any effort on our part, but through the blood of Christ. Peace. Not untroubled circumstances but the profound well-being that comes from resting in God's sovereignty and mercy. This is a concept first expressed by the Hebrew greeting of shalom. Jesus used the same term as part of his salutation in John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Shalom has a much richer meaning than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God, and also, as a result, the idea that “all is well” in one's life. That is the second part of what Paul wants to communicate; not only have we been reconciled to God so that we are no longer enemies, but as he will teach in this letter, we have been adopted into the family of God and made join heirs with Christ. Ultimately, Paul speaks not for himself, but brings this blessing from God . . .not the Father, but our Father; and from Jesus, who Paul presents as both Savior (Christ, or Messiah) and Lord.