To the saints in Christ Jesus | Ephesians 1:1-2
This begins our study through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In this new study we will take hold of “the unsearchable riches” (Eph 3:8) we have in Christ and see how this new life in Him produces a new relationship with God and others. We will explore the core gospel truths and see how vitally important they are to believers in framing, directing, and empowering us to live the Christian life, especially in our relationships within the body of Christ, the family, and marriage. In the standard Greco-Roman form of letter writing Paul begins by naming himself as the sender of the letter, indicates the recipients of the letter, and then extends a greeting. In this lesson we understand that Paul wants us to know who we are now in Christ and how we might live in this new identity.
- Paul understood his word as authoritative (v. 1a)
- Paul understood believers are in Christ (v. 1b)
- Paul understood God is for His people (v. 2)